BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potato Recipe

Download a print-friendly version of our BBQ stuffed sweet potatoes recipe.

Serves 4 to 6

• 5 small sweet potatoes
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite store-bought brand)
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, optional
• 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

Optional toppings

• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Chopped green onions
• Cilantro
• Pickled red onions
• Shredded cheese
• Hot sauce

1. Bake the sweet potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F. Prick each sweet potato a few times with a fork and place on a parchment or foil lined baking sheet. Roast for 45 to 60 minutes, until juices start to develop, and potatoes soften.
2. Prepare the BBQ sauce: While sweet potatoes roast, mix BBQ sauce with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and smoked paprika (if using) in a small bowl.
3. Prepare the BBQ chicken: Add chicken to a pan and warm over medium-low heat. Add the BBQ sauce mixture to the pan and combine with the chicken. Heat until chicken is warmed through. Adjust seasoning or add more BBQ sauce, if desired.
4. Serve: Once sweet potatoes are done, slice them open lengthwise and press the ends together to create a place for the filling. Spoon BBQ chicken into each sweet potato. Add desired toppings. Serve warm.

1 small potato and 1/2 cup chicken (optional ingredients not included)

Calories: 270
Protein: 23 grams
Total carbohydrates: 25 grams
Dietary fiber: 3 grams
Total fat: 8 grams

Nutrition facts are and estimate and vary based on serving size.

Transform your BBQ chicken stuffed sweet potato into a meatless bbq meal by substituting tofu for the chicken.

1. Follow steps 1 and 2 from the cooking directions.
2. Replace step 3 with: Drain and pat dry a 14-oz. block of firm tofu. Slice the tofu into cubes or tear it apart into bite size pieces. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a pan over medium heat. Brown the tofu in the pan. Once tofu is browned, add your BBQ sauce mixture and heat through.
3. Follow step 4 and enjoy your BBQ tofu stuffed sweet potato!

Getting kids involved in meal prep is a great way to teach them real-life skills and build their confidence and independence. Based on your child’s age and skill level, here are some ways they can help prepare BBQ chicken sweet potatoes:

• Poke the potatoes with a fork.
• Practice their math skills by meauring the ingredients
• Stir the BBQ sauce and spices
• Build their own sweet potato with toppings of their choosing.

Here are some other great way kids as young as 2 can help in the kitchen:

• Ages 2 to 3: Rip lettuce, pour ingredients in a bowl, help bring empty cups and plates to and from the table. 
• Ages 4 and 5: All the above, plus help measure ingredients, wash produce and set and clear the table.  
• Ages 6 to 8: All the above, plus use a child safe knife (with supervision) to cut produce, crack eggs, wipe the counters, sweep the floor or load the dishwasher.
• Ages 9 to 12: All the above, plus plan out a simple meal, learn knife skills, wash dishes, take out the trash.
• Ages 13 and older: All the above, plus plan and prepare their own meal.

You know your child best. Assign mealtime responsibilities based on their skills and abilities, as well as your comfort.

This recipe has been tested at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Kauffman Family Teaching Kitchen, located in the Center for Advanced Pediatrics. The Kauffman Family Teaching Kitchen offers interactive, hands-on cooking and nutrition classes for patients, their families and children in the community.

To learn more, email teachingkitchen@choa.org.