The BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl is your answer to a delicious and satisfying meal that’s both healthy and incredibly easy to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep throughout the week. This vibrant bowl brings together tender, smoky BBQ chicken with naturally sweet roasted sweet potatoes and a medley of fresh toppings for a complete and wholesome dining experience.
Key Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1/4 cup your favorite BBQ sauce (plus more for drizzling)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 large sweet potatoes (about 1.5 lbs total), peeled and cubed into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a touch of heat)
- 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese or shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds (for crunch)
- Your favorite creamy dressing, such as avocado crema or a simple lime aioli (optional)
How to Make BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl
This BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl recipe is wonderfully simple, delivering a burst of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors that are incredibly satisfying. The harmonious blend of roasted sweet potatoes and succulent BBQ chicken, elevated by fresh toppings, makes this a dish you’ll crave. With a preparation time of just under an hour, it’s an ideal weeknight meal that tastes like it came from a gourmet kitchen but is surprisingly easy to assemble.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). On a large baking sheet, toss the cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, cinnamon, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Spread them out in a single layer for even roasting.
- Roast Sweet Potatoes: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and slightly caramelized, flipping them halfway through for even cooking.
- Prepare the Chicken: While the sweet potatoes are roasting, pat the chicken thighs or breasts dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with BBQ sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss to ensure the chicken is well coated.
- Cook the Chicken: You have a few options for cooking the chicken:
- Skillet Method: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and slightly caramelized from the BBQ sauce. If using chicken breasts, you might need to slice them into thinner pieces to ensure they cook evenly.
- Baking Method: Place the seasoned chicken in a separate oven-safe dish. Bake alongside the sweet potatoes for the last 20-25 minutes of the sweet potato roasting time, or until the chicken is cooked through. Juices should run clear and the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Grilling Method: Grill the chicken over medium heat for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through and with nice grill marks.
- Shred or Slice Chicken: Once cooked, if using chicken thighs, you can easily shred them with two forks. If using chicken breasts, slice them into bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the roasted sweet potatoes among your bowls. Top with the shredded or sliced BBQ chicken.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle generously with fresh cilantro, crumbled feta or cheddar cheese (if using), thinly sliced red onion, and toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- Drizzle and Serve: Finish each bowl with an extra drizzle of BBQ sauce and your favorite creamy dressing, if desired. Serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl
You’ll absolutely adore this BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl for its sensational combination of tender, smoky BBQ chicken nestled alongside delightfully sweet and tender roasted sweet potatoes, all brought together with a symphony of fresh, vibrant toppings. It’s a remarkably satisfying meal that feels indulgent without being heavy, a true standout compared to a simple chicken and salad combination. Plus, by making this at home, you’ll save a significant amount compared to ordering similar bowls from restaurants, making it a smart and delicious choice for your wallet too!
The incredible balance of flavors and textures, from the sweet caramelized edges of the potatoes to the savory, saucy chicken and the delightful crunch of seeds, creates a truly memorable eating experience. This dish is a fantastic way to incorporate more healthy ingredients into your diet without sacrificing taste, proving that wholesome food can be incredibly exciting and comforting. Don’t just take our word for it – gather your ingredients and whip up this fantastic BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl for yourself tonight; you won’t be disappointed!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers:
- Refrigeration: Allow the BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl components to cool completely before storing. Store the roasted sweet potatoes, BBQ chicken, and any prepared toppings separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This keeps the textures at their best.
- Shelf Life: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating and Freezing:
- Reheating:
- Oven/Toaster Oven: For the best texture, gently reheat the sweet potatoes and chicken together on a baking sheet at around 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Add cold toppings after reheating.
- Microwave: Combine sweet potatoes and chicken in a microwave-safe dish and heat in 30-second intervals until warm. Be mindful that microwaved sweet potatoes can become softer.
- Stovetop: You can gently warm the chicken and sweet potatoes in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to prevent sticking.
- Freezing: It’s generally best to freeze components separately for the best results.
- Chicken: Cool and freeze cooked BBQ chicken in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2-3 months.
- Sweet Potatoes: Cool and freeze roasted sweet potatoes in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2-3 months. Note that their texture may become softer upon thawing.
- Assembly: When ready to eat, thaw the chicken and sweet potatoes in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat as per the instructions above. Avoid freezing the assembled bowl with fresh toppings like cilantro or onions, as these will become soggy.
Final Thoughts
The BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl is a testament to how simple ingredients can create an incredibly flavorful and satisfying meal. We encourage you to give this recipe a try for a wholesome and delicious experience that’s perfect for any occasion!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). On a large baking sheet, toss the cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, cinnamon, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Spread them out in a single layer for even roasting.2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and slightly caramelized, flipping them halfway through for even cooking.
- While the sweet potatoes are roasting, pat the chicken thighs or breasts dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with BBQ sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss to ensure the chicken is well coated.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, 1/4 cup your favorite BBQ sauce, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Skillet Method: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and slightly caramelized from the BBQ sauce. If using chicken breasts, you might need to slice them into thinner pieces to ensure they cook evenly.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, 1/4 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
- Baking Method: Place the seasoned chicken in a separate oven-safe dish. Bake alongside the sweet potatoes for the last 20-25 minutes of the sweet potato roasting time, or until the chicken is cooked through. Juices should run clear and the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Grilling Method: Grill the chicken over medium heat for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through and with nice grill marks.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Once cooked, if using chicken thighs, you can easily shred them with two forks. If using chicken breasts, slice them into bite-sized pieces.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Divide the roasted sweet potatoes among your bowls. Top with the shredded or sliced BBQ chicken.2 large sweet potatoes, 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Sprinkle generously with fresh cilantro, crumbled feta or cheddar cheese (if using), thinly sliced red onion, and toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds.1 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese or shredded cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
- Finish each bowl with an extra drizzle of BBQ sauce and your favorite creamy dressing, if desired. Serve immediately.1/4 cup your favorite BBQ sauce, Your favorite creamy dressing