BBQ Chicken and Sweet Potato Bowl
If you’re looking to breathe some new life into your chicken sheet pan dinners, this fast and easy recipe for BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowls is the solution. Made with roasted sweet potatoes, caramelized red onions, and juicy chunks of lean chicken breast that are topped with sweet, smoky barbecue sauce and a drizzle of creamy ranch, this one-pan meal is certain to be a hit with the whole family!
Ingredients
- 4 small or 2 large Sweet Potatoes about 2lbs, cubed (and peeled, if preferred)
- 1 medium Red Onion sliced vertically
- ¼ C Olive Oil divided
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder divided
- 2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts cubed
- 4 Green Onions chopped
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- BBQ Sauce to taste
- Ranch Dressing optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. Line rimmed cookie sheet with foil (for easy clean up) and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Peel (optional) and cube sweet potatoes and slice red onion. Place on baking sheet, drizzle with about half of the olive oil and toss. Season with a bit of garlic powder, salt and pepper, toss again. Spread evenly on baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes while you prep other ingredients.
- Chop green onions and put aside. Cube chicken. Toss with remaining olive oil and garlic powder, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Move sweet potatoes to one side of baking sheet to make room for chicken. Add seasoned chicken to pan, spreading out evenly in one layer. Return to oven and bake for 15-20 mins, until chicken registers 165F.
- Scoop potatoes and onions into a bowl, top with chicken. Drizzle BBQ Sauce to taste. Add green onions and a drizzle of Ranch Dressing.Enjoy!
Notes
Optional Variations
- BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes - Roast the sweet potatoes whole in their jackets, then stuff them. Wash and dry the sweet potatoes, then prick them all over with a fork. Rub the outsides with oil and season liberally with salt. Bake at 400F for about 45 minutes, or until fork tender.
- Extra Spicy BBQ Bowls - Add ½ inch sliced rounds of fresh jalapeño to the baking sheet with the sweet potatoes and onions. Feel free to doctor up your BBQ sauce with sriracha, cayenne pepper, or hot paprika, or simply opt for a spicier brand.
- Swap Potatoes For Sweet Potatoes - If you have baby new potatoes, wax-skinned red or yellow potatoes, or even starchy russet potatoes on hand, feel free to swap them in.
- Turn It Into Sweet Potato & BBQ Chicken Pizza - If you’re looking to use up your extras or just want a different interpretation of the same meal to keep things interesting, try whipping up a pizza out of the elements. Mash the sweet potatoes, adding a bit of milk or butter if you like, then spread over your preferred pizza base (e.g. store-bought pizza dough or large flatbreads) that has been brushed with olive oil and seasoned with salt. Top with the chicken, the melty cheese of your choice, and a hefty drizzle of BBQ sauce. Bake until the crust is set, then top with scallions and a drizzle of ranch.
- Vegan Sweet Potato Meal - Trade out the cubes of chicken breast for plant-based tofu! Use a pressed block of firm or extra-firm tofu that you’ve dabbed dry with paper towels. Toss with about 1.5 tablespoons of cornstarch, plus salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Roast alongside the sweet potatoes for the full duration, turning the pieces about halfway through for even browning.
- Toppings Ideas - Scallions, barbecue sauce, and ranch dressing are just the start! Other yummy options include:
- Cheese (e.g. cheddar or smoked gouda)
- Bacon bits
- Cilantro
- Cornbread crumbles - If you ever end up with leftover cornbread and don’t want it to mold or get tossed in the compost, crumble it up with your hands and put it on a parchment-lined sheet tray. Bake at 350F until dry and crispy, then keep in an airtight container for up to a month or more.
- Pickled red onions
- Fresh or pickled jalapeños
- Roasted corn (or corn salsa) for an added touch of sweetness and a reminder of warmer days.
- Bulking Additions - If you’re looking to stretch your food budget, including extra non-meat ingredients will help you bulk up your bowls without costing you a pretty penny. Here are some of my favorites:
- Grains - Rice, farro, wheat berries, or bulgar provide a hefty base. Cook them in chicken or veggie broth for an added layer of flavor!
- Beans - Baked beans, chili, cowboy beans, or black beans are all excellent additions.
- Meal Prep. This sweet potato and chicken breast sheet pan dinner can also be prepped ahead of time and portioned into grab-and-go containers for easy heat-and-eat meals throughout the week. Just keep the green onions and ranch dressing separate, adding them after heating for the best flavor and consistency. The chicken and veggies will keep well for up to a week in the fridge!
- Don’t peel your sweet potatoes to save a prep step. I actually like the texture of crispy roasted potato skins, plus they’re filled with good-for-you nutrients. You’re also welcome to use frozen sweet potato cubes if you like!
- Use foil or parchment for quick & easy cleanup. Literally every time I cook something on a sheet pan, I line it with parchment first. It makes doing the dishes SO MUCH EASIER! FYI, unbleached parchment can be composted and clean foil can be recycled.
Nutrition
Calories: 465kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 28gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 260mgPotassium: 1282mgFiber: 8gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 32216IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 88mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!