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A colorful bbq chicken sweet potato bowl topped with lime, cilantro, black beans, red onion, and mango guacamole.
Reda

BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl

Smoky-sweet BBQ chicken over roasted sweet potatoes with creamy avocado and crisp slaw for the ultimate weeknight bowl.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

For the Sweet Potatoes
  • 2 lb sweet potatoes scrubbed and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.75 tsp kosher salt divided
For the Chicken
  • 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.5 cup your favorite BBQ sauce plus more for serving
For the Slaw
  • 2 cups shredded green cabbage about 4 oz
  • 1.5 tbsp apple cider vinegar
For Assembly
  • 2 avocado sliced
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro chopped

Equipment

  • Rimmed Baking Sheet
  • Large skillet
  • Small Bowl

Method
 

Prep and Roast the Sweet Potatoes
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss sweet potato cubes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Spread in a single layer and roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping once, until caramelized at the edges and tender when pierced with a fork.
Cook the BBQ Chicken
  1. While potatoes roast, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat chicken thighs dry and season with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add to the hot skillet in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until golden brown on the bottom.
  2. Flip chicken pieces, reduce heat to medium, and cook 3 minutes more. Pour in 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, stir to coat, and simmer 2-3 minutes until chicken is cooked through (165 degrees F internal) and sauce is thick and glossy.
Make the Quick Slaw
  1. In a small bowl, toss shredded cabbage with apple cider vinegar and a pinch of salt. Let sit at room temperature while chicken finishes cooking - the vinegar will slightly pickle the cabbage, giving it a bright crunch.
Assemble the Bowls
  1. Divide roasted sweet potatoes among four bowls. Top with BBQ chicken, a scoop of tangy slaw, and sliced avocado. Drizzle with extra BBQ sauce if desired and sprinkle with fresh cilantro. Serve immediately while everything is warm.

Notes

Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts, but either works - just reduce cooking time slightly if using breast meat. Roast extra sweet potatoes and make double the chicken for easy meal prep; components keep well for 4 days refrigerated. For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne to the sweet potatoes or use spicy BBQ sauce.