Description
These BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are a delicious and hearty meal combining tender baked sweet potatoes with flavorful BBQ chicken, melted cheddar cheese, and fresh toppings. Perfect for a wholesome dinner that balances savory and tangy flavors with a creamy finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
BBQ Chicken Filling
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
Toppings
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the sweet potatoes.
- Clean Sweet Potatoes: Scrub the sweet potatoes under cold running water to remove dirt and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Prick Potatoes: Use a fork to pierce the sweet potatoes several times on each side to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Arrange Potatoes: Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet without letting them touch each other.
- Oil and Season: Drizzle olive oil over the sweet potatoes and rub it in to coat the skin evenly. Sprinkle salt and black pepper over them to season.
- Bake Potatoes: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Prepare Chicken Filling: Shred cooked chicken if needed, then mix it with BBQ sauce in a bowl until fully coated.
- Chop Toppings: Finely chop the red onion and cilantro, setting them aside for garnish.
- Cool Potatoes: Remove baked sweet potatoes from the oven and let them cool slightly to handle.
- Slice Potatoes: Cut a lengthwise slit down the center of each sweet potato, careful not to cut through entirely.
- Open Potatoes: Gently press the ends towards each other to open the potatoes and create space for the filling.
- Fluff Interiors: Use a fork to fluff the inside of each sweet potato, preparing it to hold the filling.
- Fill with BBQ Chicken: Spoon the BBQ chicken mixture evenly into each sweet potato.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top of the BBQ chicken filling.
- Melt Cheese: Return the stuffed sweet potatoes to the oven for 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove and Garnish: Take the potatoes out of the oven and top with chopped red onion and cilantro.
- Add Sour Cream: Drizzle sour cream over the stuffed sweet potatoes for added creaminess.
- Finish with Lime: Squeeze fresh lime juice on top to enhance the flavor with a tangy brightness.
- Serve Warm: Serve immediately while warm and enjoy your flavorful BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes.
Notes
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few chopped jalapeños to the chicken mixture.
- You can use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken to save time.
- Feel free to substitute cheddar cheese with Monterey Jack or mozzarella for a different flavor.
- Make sure to bake the sweet potatoes until very tender to ensure easy stuffing.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
