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BBQ Chicken Bowl

Featured in Nutritious and Delicious Healthy Recipes.

These BBQ Chicken Bowls offer a perfect balance of flavors and textures in one complete meal. The recipe features tender chicken tenders brushed with barbecue sauce, roasted sweet potatoes with a crispy exterior and soft interior, and a creamy, slightly sweet coleslaw that adds freshness and crunch. What makes these bowls special is their versatility and adaptability - they can be prepared using either an air fryer or conventional oven, and the components can be easily customized based on dietary preferences and available ingredients. The finished bowls are both visually appealing and nutritionally balanced, providing protein, complex carbohydrates, and vegetables in a single satisfying dish that's perfect for meal prep or weeknight dinners.
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Updated on Fri, 28 Feb 2025 21:19:31 GMT
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BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl | homedeliciousrecipes.com

A perfect balance of flavors and textures comes together in this BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl. This nutrient-dense meal combines tender barbecue chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, and creamy coleslaw to create a satisfying dinner that's as nutritious as it is delicious.

After experimenting with countless healthy dinner options, I discovered that building meals in bowls with complementary components creates the most satisfying results. The moment all these flavors come together, you realize healthy eating doesn't have to feel restrictive.

Essential Components

  • Chicken Selection: Tenders cook quickly and evenly for perfect texture
  • Sweet Potato Preparation: Uniform cubes ensure even roasting
  • Coleslaw Balance: The right ratio of mayo to acid creates the perfect creaminess
  • BBQ Sauce Choice: Select a quality sauce with the right balance of sweet and tangy notes
  • Cooking Method Flexibility: Air fryer or oven options accommodate different kitchen setups
Easy BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl Recipe Pin it
Easy BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl Recipe | homedeliciousrecipes.com

Creating Your Bowl

Perfect The Sweet Potatoes:
Cut sweet potatoes into consistent 1-inch cubes for even cooking. Toss thoroughly with oil and seasonings for complete coverage.
Master The Chicken:
Season chicken evenly before cooking. Apply BBQ sauce during the final minutes to prevent burning while creating a sticky glaze.
Create The Coleslaw:
Mix dressing ingredients separately before combining with cabbage to ensure even distribution and prevent over-mixing.
Time Your Components:
Coordinate cooking times so all elements finish simultaneously, keeping everything at its optimal temperature and texture.
Assemble With Purpose:
Layer components thoughtfully, placing coleslaw on one side to prevent immediate wilting from hot ingredients.

This bowl has become my go-to for healthy meal prep, providing balanced nutrition that keeps me satisfied through busy afternoons. The combination of complex carbs, lean protein, and vegetables creates sustained energy without the mid-afternoon slump.

Perfect Pairings

Enhance your bowl with thoughtful additions. Add avocado slices for healthy fats and creamy texture. Include pickled red onions for bright acidity. For extra crunch, sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds. During summer, add fresh corn cut from the cob for sweet pops of flavor.

BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl Recipe Pin it
BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl Recipe | homedeliciousrecipes.com

Creative Variations

Adapt this versatile bowl to suit different tastes and dietary needs. Try a southwestern version with black beans and corn. Create an Asian-inspired bowl with teriyaki sauce instead of BBQ. Make it vegetarian by substituting chickpeas or tofu for chicken. For a lower-carb option, use cauliflower rice as the base.

Storage Success

This meal prepares beautifully ahead of time. Store components separately for maximum freshness, combining just before eating. Keep coleslaw dressing separate from cabbage if prepping more than a day ahead. Reheat sweet potatoes and chicken in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to restore crispiness.

Through countless iterations of healthy bowl meals, I've found that success lies in treating each component with care while considering how they'll work together. This recipe proves that nutritious eating can be vibrant, flavorful, and deeply satisfying when you combine quality ingredients with thoughtful preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I meal prep these bowls?
Yes, prepare all components and store separately for up to 3 days. For best results, keep the coleslaw dressing separate until ready to serve.
→ What's a good substitute for chicken tenders?
Try chickpeas, tofu, or tempeh for vegetarian options, or use salmon or shrimp for seafood alternatives.
→ Is there a dairy-free coleslaw option?
Yes, use vegan mayonnaise for a completely dairy-free version that maintains the creamy texture.
→ What chicken rub do you recommend?
A simple mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper works well, or use your favorite pre-made BBQ seasoning blend.
→ Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?
Yes, white potatoes work fine. You may need to adjust cooking time slightly as they sometimes cook faster than sweet potatoes.

BBQ Chicken Bowl

A balanced meal bowl featuring BBQ-glazed chicken tenders, roasted sweet potatoes, and creamy coleslaw that's easy to customize with your favorite toppings.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes

Category: Healthy Eating

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ For the Chicken

01 8 chicken tenders (about 1 lb)
02 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
03 2 tsp chicken rub
04 2 Tbsp BBQ sauce

→ For the Sweet Potatoes

05 3 small sweet potatoes (6-7 oz each), peeled and cut into 1" cubes
06 1 Tbsp olive oil
07 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper

→ For the Coleslaw

08 9 oz coleslaw cabbage mix (no dressing)
09 1/2 cup mayo
10 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
11 1-1 1/2 Tbsp sweetener (monkfruit, coconut sugar, or sugar)

→ Optional Garnishes

12 Pickles
13 Cilantro
14 Avocado
15 Pumpkin seeds

Instructions

Step 01

In a medium size bowl combine the sweet potato cubes, 1 Tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cook the sweet potatoes by air frying them or baking. To air fry, preheat an air fryer to 380 F for 5 minutes. Air fry the sweet potatoes for a total of 15 minutes, until they're easily pierced with a fork. Flip halfway through cooking. To bake: preheat the oven to 400F. Place on a baking sheet, cook for 25-30 minutes until they're easy to pierce with a fork; flip halfway through cooking.

Step 02

Start on the chicken while the sweet potatoes are cooking. They can be air fried or pan fried. To air fry: Preheat an air fryer to 400 F for 5 mins. Brush both sides with the other 1 Tbsp of olive oil and then liberally add chicken rub to both sides. Air fry for 4 mins, brush on BBQ sauce and then continue air frying for 3-4 minutes until cooked through to 165 F. To bake: preheat oven to 400 F. Brush both sides of the chicken with olive oil and sprinkle both sides with chicken rub. Bake on a baking sheet for 10+ minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F.

Step 03

While the chicken is cooking start on the coleslaw. In a small size bowl combine all of the dressing ingredients. Add the coleslaw shredded cabbage mix to a medium size bowl and stir in the dressing.

Step 04

Assemble the bowls by dividing the coleslaw, sweet potatoes, and chicken tenders between 4 bowls. You can either serve 2 whole chicken tenders per bowl or cut them into slices.

Step 05

Garnish with healthy toppings like avocado cubes, cilantro, pumpkin seeds, and pickle slices. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. For a lower carb option, substitute the sweet potatoes with roasted radishes, broccoli, butternut squash, or cauliflower, or cooked cauliflower rice.
  2. Instead of BBQ sliced chicken you can also use shredded chicken mixed with BBQ sauce.
  3. To save time you can use packaged coleslaw with dressing included or use precooked rotisserie chicken.

Tools You'll Need

  • Air fryer or oven
  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheet (if baking)
  • Serving bowls

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains eggs (mayonnaise)