The Daily Plate

High-Protein BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

The sweet potato is nature's most underrated edible bowl — and stuffed with tangy BBQ chicken, melted cheddar, and crunchy red onion, it becomes a high-protein dinner worth craving. Sweet, smoky, and satisfying without the heaviness. Sweet potato fans will also love our Sweet Potato Lentil Curry. Forty-five minutes to a dinner that eats like comfort and fuels like a power bowl.

BBQ chicken stuffed sweet potatoes topped with melted cheddar, red onion and cilantro
Prep time10 min
Cook time45 min
Total55 min
Yield4 servings
CuisineAmerican
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🧺Ingredients

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp kosher salt, divided
  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie works great)
  • 3/4 cup barbecue sauce, plus more for drizzling
  • 1/2 small red onion, diced
  • 1 cup (4 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tbsp sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional)

👩‍🍳Instructions

  1. Bake the sweet potatoes. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Rub the sweet potatoes with olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt; prick all over with a fork. Bake directly on the rack 40–45 minutes until completely tender and the skins puff.
  2. Warm the chicken. While the potatoes bake, toss the shredded chicken with the barbecue sauce in a skillet over medium heat; warm 3–4 minutes until steaming.
  3. Split and fluff. Slice each sweet potato open lengthwise and fluff the flesh with a fork, mashing in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Keep the skins intact as little boats.
  4. Stuff. Divide the BBQ chicken among the potatoes, piling it high. Top with the diced red onion and cheddar.
  5. Melt. Return to the oven 5 minutes until the cheddar is melted and bubbly.
  6. Finish. Drizzle with extra barbecue sauce, dollop with sour cream if you like, and shower with cilantro.

💡 Stuffed potato smarts

Choose sweet potatoes of similar size so they finish together — medium ones (about 8 oz each) are ideal. Rotisserie chicken makes this a true weeknight win; one bird stuffs all four potatoes. For extra protein, stir a can of drained black beans into the BBQ chicken. The potatoes can bake a day ahead — rewarm 15 minutes at 375°F before stuffing.

❓Common questions

Can I microwave the sweet potatoes?
Yes — prick and microwave 8–10 minutes, turning halfway. The skins will not crisp like oven-baked, but the flesh cooks through fine for stuffing.

Can I make this dairy-free?
Skip the cheddar and sour cream, or use dairy-free alternatives. The BBQ chicken and sweet potato carry plenty of flavor on their own.

What barbecue sauce is best?
A smoky-sweet sauce complements the sweet potato best. Avoid anything too vinegary — it fights the potato's natural sweetness.

How do I store leftovers?
Refrigerate assembled potatoes up to 3 days. Reheat at 375°F for 15 minutes; add fresh cilantro after reheating.

Loaded BBQ chicken sweet potato boats with cheddar
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