BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl Recipe
If there’s a dish that can instantly uplift your weeknight dinner and brighten up your lunchbox, it’s the BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl. This recipe brings together smoky-sweet barbecue chicken, golden roasted sweet potatoes, and a medley of vibrant toppings in every hearty bite. It’s the perfect balance of comfort and color, with a customizable flair that makes it irresistible whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or simply treating yourself to something special.

Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl lies in its lineup of wholesome, everyday ingredients. Each one lends its flavor—earthy, creamy, tangy, or crunchy—to create a bowl that’s both nourishing and exciting. Here’s how they all come together:
- Chicken Breasts: Lean and protein-packed, chicken breasts become tender and juicy when tossed with barbecue sauce.
- Sweet Potatoes: These turn gorgeously golden and slightly caramelized in the oven, adding natural sweetness and color that’s hard to beat.
- Olive Oil: Helps the sweet potatoes roast up crispy on the outside while keeping everything moist and flavor-packed.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential for amplifying all the other flavors—you can adjust to taste.
- Paprika: A dash adds smokiness, subtly echoing the BBQ vibes.
- Garlic Powder: Brings depth and a gentle kick to the roasted veggies.
- BBQ Sauce: Choose your favorite for a sweet, tangy glaze that ties everything together (plus a drizzle at the end never hurts).
- Avocado: Creamy cubes temper the smoky heat and add a fresh, silky bite.
- Canned Corn: Sweet pops of yellow give color and juicy crunch—no need to thaw frozen, just drain canned.
- Black Beans: A fiber-rich boost and subtle earthiness that pairs beautifully with smoky BBQ chicken.
- Red Onion: Just a sprinkle adds a punch of zesty flavor and pretty purple flecks.
- Fresh Cilantro: Bright, herbal, and the easiest way to finish your bowl with color and aroma.
- Shredded Cheese: Cheddar or Monterey Jack melt just enough over warm chicken and potatoes for a gooey upgrade.
- Sliced Green Onions: Lively and crisp—they’re the finishing touch that brings it all together.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl
Step 1: Roast the Sweet Potatoes
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss your peeled and diced sweet potatoes with half the olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder directly on a baking sheet for the easiest cleanup. Make sure everything is evenly coated, then spread them out in a single layer—this step ensures each cube roasts up caramelized and crisp, rather than steaming and turning mushy. Pop the tray into the oven, roasting for 25 to 30 minutes, and don’t forget to flip the potatoes halfway through so every side gets a little love and color.
Step 2: Cook the BBQ Chicken
While those sweet potatoes are working their magic, season your chicken breasts with a light sprinkle of salt and pepper. Heat the rest of your olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and add the chicken. Cook for about 6 to 7 minutes per side—you want them beautifully golden outside and safely cooked through to 165°F (74°C) inside. Let them rest off the heat so the juices settle (trust me, it’s worth the patience!). Once rested, slice or shred the chicken, then toss it in your warmed BBQ sauce until it’s coated in sticky, sweet, smoky goodness.
Step 3: Assemble the Bowls
Now for the fun part! Divide the roasted sweet potatoes among your bowls, then pile on that BBQ chicken. Let your creative side out—scatter on diced avocado, spoonfuls of corn and black beans, a sprinkle of red onion, fresh cilantro, cheese, and green onions. The more colorful your BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl, the better it looks and tastes. Drizzle with a little extra BBQ sauce if you’re feeling saucy.
Step 4: Meal Prep Option
If you love being ahead of your meal game, you’ll appreciate this! Prep all your BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl components separately and store them in airtight containers in the fridge. This keeps everything fresh and lets you assemble a perfect bowl in minutes, any day of the week—ideal for lunches or a quick dinner.
How to Serve BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl

Garnishes
Garnishes take your BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl from good to “can I have seconds?” territory. Fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, and diced avocado add brightness and a cool contrast. For extra flair, add a splash of lime juice or another drizzle of BBQ sauce right before serving. The finishing colorful touches make each bowl feel like a mini celebration.
Side Dishes
You don’t need much alongside these hearty bowls, but a simple green salad with a citrusy vinaigrette is a lovely way to round out the meal. For a comfort-forward option, serve with warm tortillas or toasted garlic bread—ready to scoop up every last saucy bite. Some folks even go for a crisp coleslaw for extra crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl in wide, shallow bowls for maximum swoon-worthy layering. If you’re hosting brunch, offer a DIY bowl bar and let everyone build their own—with all toppings lined up buffet-style. Or for a fun lunch, pack the components separately for picnics and let friends or family assemble their bowl to taste. It’s nearly as fun to make as it is to eat!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl ingredients in separate airtight containers in the fridge. This keeps everything fresh, especially the avocado and cilantro, which you’ll want to slice and chop just before eating. The chicken, sweet potatoes, beans, corn, and cheese will hold up well for up to four days, making weekday lunches a breeze.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked chicken and roasted sweet potatoes for longer storage—just avoid freezing fresh garnishes like avocado, cilantro, or green onions as they lose texture. Package cooled chicken and potatoes in zip-top freezer bags, expelling as much air as possible, and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and assembling your next BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl.
Reheating
Reheat chicken and sweet potatoes gently in the microwave or in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through. To keep chicken moist, try adding a splash of water or extra BBQ sauce before reheating. Add your chilled toppings and fresh garnishes after everything else is hot, so you keep that signature contrast of warm bowl, cool toppings.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are extra juicy and flavorful in the BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl, so feel free to substitute if you have them. Just adjust the cook time, as thighs may take a minute or two longer to cook through.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, it can be! Just double-check that your BBQ sauce is gluten-free—most brands are, but a quick glance at the label gives peace of mind. All the other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
For a meatless BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl, simply swap the chicken for roasted chickpeas or grilled tofu. Toss them in BBQ sauce for the same smoky-sweet effect, and keep the rest of the toppings as they are.
Can I prep this for meal prep lunches?
Definitely! BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl is one of the best options for meal prepping because each component keeps well. Store everything separately and assemble fresh each day so you never have a soggy bowl.
What’s the best BBQ sauce to use?
The best BBQ sauce is the one you love the most! Whether that’s a classic sweet and smoky Kansas City-style, a tangy vinegar-based sauce, or a spicy chipotle blend, your favorite bottle will shine in the BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
Final Thoughts
Give this BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl a try and see just how easy it is to whip up a meal that delights your taste buds and adds a pop of color to your table. It’s nourishing, fun to customize, and brings a little spark of excitement to any day of the week!
PrintBBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl Recipe
This BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl is a delicious and satisfying meal that combines tender roasted sweet potatoes with flavorful BBQ chicken, creamy avocado, sweet corn, black beans, and savory toppings. Perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner or meal prep option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Sauteing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
For the Roasted Sweet Potatoes:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the BBQ Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large breasts)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup BBQ sauce, plus more for drizzling
For Assembling the Bowls:
- 1 avocado, diced
- ½ cup canned corn, drained
- ½ cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
Instructions
- Roast the Sweet Potatoes – Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes.
- Cook the BBQ Chicken – Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook in a skillet until done. Slice or shred chicken and toss with BBQ sauce.
- Assemble the Bowls – Divide roasted sweet potatoes among bowls. Top with BBQ chicken, avocado, corn, black beans, red onion, cilantro, cheese, and green onions. Drizzle with extra BBQ sauce if desired.
- Meal Prep Option – Store components separately for easy assembly during the week.
Notes
- You can customize these bowls with your favorite toppings like salsa, sour cream, or jalapenos.
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings and toppings to suit your taste preferences.
- Make sure to properly store the components if meal prepping to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: BBQ Chicken, Sweet Potato, Bowl, Healthy, Easy, Meal Prep