BBQ Chicken Baked Sweet Potatoes are the best combination of savory & sweet! Loaded with shredded bbq chicken, melted cheese, avocado, cilantro, and crispy onion strings, they’re a delicious break from the dinnertime rut!

Ahhh… the good old dinnertime rut. If you’re the one who makes dinner for your household, you probably know exactly how it feels. And exactly how easy it is to get into!
The truth is once you cycle through your “go to” recipes enough times, it can be really hard to come up with new ideas. Around here? We seem to be on a repeat cycle of Fettuccine Alfredo, Chicken Tortilla Soup, and, if my kids have anything to say about it, Baked Turkey Sliders.
So I recently decided I needed to mix things up a bit… and my mind went to sweet potatoes. I absolutely love sweet potatoes, but for some reason I don’t always think of them. Until now! Because these BBQ Chicken Baked Sweet Potatoes are ALL I’m going to be thinking about for a while.
Perfectly roasted sweet potatoes topped with bbq chicken, melted cheese, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, and homemade crispy onion strings… this recipe is anything but boring. It’s delicious! And interesting! And will definitely get you out of whatever rut you might be in. You can thank me later!
what you’ll need for this recipe
Sweet potatoes – Sweet potatoes are the base of this recipe. I used 2 large sweet potatoes, cut in half lengthwise. You can also use 3 or 4 smaller potatoes.
Chicken – Shredded or chopped chicken adds protein and flavor and makes this an incredibly satisfying meal. I used 3 cups of chicken, but you can use more or less to taste.
BBQ sauce – BBQ sauce adds a sweet & tangy flavor to these sweet potatoes. Use any variety you like.
Cheese – Shredded Colby Jack cheese melts on top of the chicken and adds delicious flavor and texture to the dish. Substitute Monterey Jack, cheddar, or any of your favorites.
Avocado – Chopped avocado adds a creamy note to this recipe and pairs well with the other flavors.
Crispy onion straws – Crispy Onion Straws are the perfect finishing touch. They add salty flavor and a bit of crunch
Cilantro – I added fresh cilantro as a garnish. Red onion or fresh jalapeño would also be delicious.
how to make bbq chicken baked sweet potatoes
Par-bake the potatoes. Cut the potatoes in half and place them in a shallow baking pan with water. Bake at 400° for 30-40 minutes, until tender. Scoop out 1/4 cup flesh per half.
Fill & bake. Fill each half with bbq chicken and shredded cheese; return to the oven for 10-15 minutes, until cheese is completely melted.
Garnish. Remove from the oven; top with avocado, cilantro, crispy onion strings, and extra bbq sauce.
Recipe Variations
- Substitute shredded pork for the chicken
- Add drained, rinsed black beans
- Use any type of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, or cheddar
- Substitute guacamole for the diced avocado
- Add chopped or crumbled bacon
- Substitute grilled or raw onion for the crispy onion straws
- Add sliced jalapeños for a spicy kick
storing & reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, transfer to a small oven-safe baking pan and bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until heated through.
More Sweet Potato Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re a sweet potato fan, be sure to try some more of our favorite ways to use them!
BBQ Chicken Baked Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- 3 cups shredded chicken
- 3/4 cup bbq sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese I used colby jack
- 1 small avocado chopped
- 2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
- crispy onion strings to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° F.
- Cut sweet potatoes in half lengthwise. Place in a shallow baking span, open side up. Add 1/4 c. water to the bottom of the pan; cover with foil.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes.
- Remove from oven; scoop out 1/4 cup flesh per potato.
- In a separate bowl, combine shredded chicken and bbq sauce.
- Spoon bbq chicken into sweet potatoes; top with shredded cheese.
- Return to oven (foil optional) and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Top with avocado, cilantro, crispy onion strings, and additional bbq sauce as desired.
Notes
Recipe Variations
-
- Substitute shredded pork for the chicken
-
- Add drained, rinsed black beans
-
- Use any type of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, or cheddar
-
- Substitute guacamole for the diced avocado
-
- Add chopped or crumbled bacon
-
- Substitute grilled or raw onion for the crispy onion straws
-
- Add sliced jalapeños for a spicy kick
Jess says
Sounds like a wonderful trip – one that lead to active dreams! If you keep dreaming up recipes like this? I’m all for it! These look so good!
Cathy Trochelman says
Thank you, my friend! The trip was wonderful and much needed! 🙂
Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie says
You and me…we are in the dinner rut together! This recipe is exactly the kind of thing I need to help me change up my life a little bit. The colors in this meal are gorgeous! And I’m just a little jealous of your trip, sounds fun!
Cathy Trochelman says
I sometimes feel like dinner is one endless rut with little glimpses of inspiration 😉 Time for another retreat, right!?
Lora @savoringitaly says
How wonderful that you were in San Francisco (I still have to get over there one day!!). These baked potatoes look so good and are so much fun!!
Cathy Trochelman says
If you ever have a chance to visit, you should! It’s such an interesting city! Thanks, Lora!
Erin @ The Speckled Palate says
These sweet potatoes look absolutely INCREDIBLE. I would’ve never paired these flavors together, but we’re gonna give them a shot soon. I have a feeling my husband, daughter and I will LOVE this!
Cathy Trochelman says
I hope so, Erin!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Oh my gosh, these looks absolutely stunning!
Cathy Trochelman says
Thanks so much, Kimberly!
Sandi Gaertner says
These look so good. These would make a great meal!
Joanie @ ZagLeft says
These are by far the best looking sweet potatoes I’ve seen. Filled to the brim with such tasty ingredients – what a great meal!
Cookin Canuck says
It sounds as though you had a fantastic trip – and I know what you mean about being in that boring, comfortable place at home. I know that I would fall in love with the sweet potatoes!
Kendrick says
I just found your blog from Facebook and I am really enjoying reading it.
This recipe looks delicious and easy to make.
I am going to try to cook them on Sunday for my family.
Thank You!
Cathy Trochelman says
Hi Kendrick, Hope you and your family enjoyed the sweet potatoes!
Teri says
I don’t even know how I stumbled across your blog today but I love it! I made these barbecue sweet potatoes tonight and my whole family loved them and said they want me to make these again. Great recipe! I look forward to trying more of your recipes and spending more time reading you blog. Thank you!
Cathy Trochelman says
I’m so happy to hear that, Teri! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Lillya says
Did you mix the 1/4 scooped out of each sweet potato with the chicken and BBQ sauce?
Cathy Trochelman says
I didn’t…I saved it for another use. But you definitely could add it to the chicken if you wanted to!
Alana Makaya says
WOW! THIS WAS AWESOME! Great alternative to nachos. My husband and I both loved it! Thank you so much for rescuing that shredded chicken that was just going to waste in my fridge.
Cathy Trochelman says
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Anna says
Can I add some more chili? I love spicy food. What do you recommend? Thanks.
Jane says
Awesome. The taste is cool and yummy. Nice recipe to try out for big group.
Johny says
Thank for your guides
Patty Witte says
Nutritional info for this recipe?