BBQ Chicken Baked Potatoes Recipe

Juicy BBQ Chicken Baked Potatoes Recipe: A Family Favorite

Crispy skin and tender meat merge beautifully in these mouthwatering bbq chicken baked potatoes that promise a delicious twist on classic comfort food.

Weeknight dinners just became way more exciting with this simple yet impressive dish.

Juicy chicken pieces nestled atop fluffy potato interiors create a perfect flavor combination that makes everyone smile.

Weekends or busy evenings call for meals that deliver maximum satisfaction without complicated preparation.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of smoky barbecue sauce, hearty potato, and succulent chicken that feels like a warm culinary hug.

Quick to assemble and even faster to devour, you will love how effortlessly this recipe comes together.

Hungry souls and casual cooks alike will find this meal irresistibly satisfying and surprisingly straightforward to master.

What Makes BBQ Chicken Baked Potatoes Special

  • Simplify Dinner Prep: Transform basic ingredients into a mouthwatering meal with minimal kitchen effort and maximum flavor satisfaction.
  • Customize Your Comfort: Easily personalize each potato with favorite toppings, making it perfect for picky eaters and diverse taste preferences.
  • One-Pan Wonder: Bake everything in the oven, reducing cleanup and streamlining the cooking process for busy home cooks who want delicious results without complicated techniques.
  • Family Crowd-Pleaser: Combines kid-friendly flavors like BBQ chicken and melted cheese into a fun, interactive dinner that gets everyone excited about mealtime.

Ingredients You Need for BBQ Chicken Potatoes

Main Ingredients:
  • Potatoes: Large starchy vegetables that serve as the hearty base for this delicious loaded dish.
  • Chicken: Protein-rich meat that will be shredded and seasoned with BBQ sauce for a flavorful filling.
  • BBQ Sauce: Tangy and sweet condiment that will coat and flavor the shredded chicken.
Cheese and Dairy:
  • Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and melty cheese that adds rich flavor and creamy texture to the stuffed potatoes.
  • Sour Cream: Creamy topping that provides a cool and tangy contrast to the warm, spicy chicken.
Garnish and Seasonings:
  • Green Onions, Cilantro: Fresh herbs that add bright, zesty flavor and color to the finished dish.
  • Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the potato's natural flavor and help create a crispy skin.

How to Bake BBQ Chicken Potatoes Just Right

Step 1: Prepare Potato Canvas

Grab your scrubbed potatoes and give them a quick fork poke. Massage olive oil all over the potato skin, then sprinkle with salt and pepper for a flavor boost.

Step 2: Create Potato Magic

Slide potatoes directly onto the oven rack at 400°F. Let them bake for 45-60 minutes until they’re soft and tender when pierced.

Step 3: Transform Chicken into BBQ Goodness

While potatoes are baking, cook and shred chicken. Toss shredded chicken with tangy BBQ sauce until every strand is coated with delicious flavor.

Step 4: Split and Fluff Potatoes

Pull potatoes from the oven and slice them open lengthwise. Use a fork to gently separate the fluffy interior, creating a delectable potato boat.

Step 5: Load with BBQ Chicken

Generously stuff each potato with the saucy BBQ chicken mixture. Sprinkle a blanket of shredded cheddar cheese on top.

Step 6: Melt and Bubble

Return potatoes to the oven for 5-7 minutes, letting the cheese transform into a golden, bubbly topping.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Finish with a sprinkle of:
  • Chopped green onions
  • Dollop of sour cream
  • Fresh cilantro leaves

Serve immediately and enjoy your mouthwatering creation!

Tips to Perfect BBQ Chicken Stuffed Potatoes

  • Select medium-sized potatoes with smooth skin for even baking and best texture.
  • Poke multiple fork holes to prevent potato explosions and ensure proper steam release.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check chicken's internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
  • Experiment with different BBQ sauce styles like sweet, spicy, or smoky to vary flavor profiles.
  • Consider low-fat cheese or Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for healthier alternatives.

Fun Ways to Switch Up BBQ Baked Potatoes

  • BBQ Pulled Pork Potatoes: Replace chicken with tender pulled pork slow-cooked in BBQ sauce for a rich, hearty alternative.
  • Spicy Southwestern Potatoes: Use shredded chicken mixed with chipotle BBQ sauce, topped with pepper jack cheese, jalapeños, and fresh salsa.
  • Buffalo Chicken Potatoes: Swap BBQ sauce with buffalo wing sauce, add blue cheese crumbles, and garnish with chopped celery for a zesty kick.
  • Mediterranean Chicken Potatoes: Mix chicken with tzatziki sauce, top with crumbled feta, diced cucumbers, and fresh dill for a Mediterranean-inspired version.

Perfect Pairings for BBQ Chicken Potatoes

  • Pair Tangy Coleslaw: Fresh, crunchy coleslaw cuts through the rich BBQ chicken's heaviness, adding bright acidity and textural contrast to the creamy potato.
  • Select Crisp Lager Beer: A cold, light lager beer perfectly complements the smoky BBQ flavors, refreshing the palate and balancing the dish's richness.
  • Create Zesty Pickle Spears: Tart pickle spears provide a sharp, vinegary counterpoint to the sweet and savory BBQ chicken, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
  • Serve Creamy Ranch Dressing: Drizzle cool ranch dressing over the potatoes for an extra layer of creamy tang that brightens the hearty BBQ chicken.

How to Store and Reheat BBQ Chicken Potatoes

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover BBQ chicken baked potatoes in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Place them carefully to maintain their shape and prevent sogginess.
  • Freeze: Wrap each potato individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Separate the toppings before freezing to preserve their freshness.
  • Reheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Unwrap frozen potatoes, place on a baking sheet, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Add fresh cheese and toppings after reheating.
  • Microwave Quick: Reheat individual potatoes on a microwave-safe plate for 1-2 minutes. Add a splash of water to prevent drying out.

BBQ Chicken Potato FAQs You’ll Love

  • Can I use different types of chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, or leftover roasted chicken. Just shred the meat and mix it with BBQ sauce.

  • What if I don't have BBQ sauce?

You can make a quick BBQ sauce using ketchup, brown sugar, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce, or use a store-bought alternative like honey mustard or hot sauce.

  • Are there any tips for getting crispy potato skin?

Rubbing the potatoes with olive oil and salt before baking helps create a crispy exterior. Make sure to place them directly on the oven rack for best results.

  • Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can bake the potatoes and prepare the chicken in advance. When ready to serve, reheat the potatoes and chicken, then assemble and melt the cheese.

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BBQ Chicken Baked Potatoes Recipe

BBQ Chicken Baked Potatoes Recipe


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4.5 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 70-82 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Sizzling BBQ chicken baked potatoes bring Southern comfort right to your dinner table. Juicy chicken, melted cheese, and tangy barbecue sauce create a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 large russet potatoes
  • 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce

Cheese and Dairy:

  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup sour cream

Seasonings and Garnish:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 400°F and thoroughly wash potatoes, piercing several times with a fork to allow steam release.
  2. Coat potato skins with olive oil, then generously season with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
  3. Arrange potatoes directly on center oven rack and bake for 45-60 minutes until exterior is crisp and interior becomes tender when pierced.
  4. While potatoes roast, prepare chicken by cooking and shredding into fine, uniform pieces.
  5. Blend shredded chicken with BBQ sauce, ensuring each chicken strand is evenly coated for maximum flavor infusion.
  6. After potatoes complete baking, remove from oven and slice lengthwise, creating a gentle opening.
  7. Use a fork to delicately separate and fluff potato’s interior, creating space for filling.
  8. Generously fill each potato with saucy BBQ chicken mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
  9. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over chicken, creating a melty, appealing topping.
  10. Return stuffed potatoes to oven for 5-7 minutes, allowing cheese to melt and become slightly golden.
  11. Garnish with fresh green onions, dollop of sour cream, and chopped cilantro for final presentation.

Notes

  • Choose medium-sized potatoes with uniform shape for even cooking and consistent texture.
  • Pierce potatoes thoroughly to prevent potential steam buildup and potential potato explosions in the oven.
  • For extra crispy potato skin, rub olive oil and sprinkle kosher salt directly on the exterior before baking.
  • Experiment with different BBQ sauce varieties like smoky, sweet, or spicy to customize flavor profile according to personal preference.
  • Swap chicken with pulled pork or plant-based protein for alternative dietary options like vegetarian or gluten-free meals.
  • Use low-fat cheese or Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to reduce overall calorie content and increase protein intake.
  • Ensure chicken is fully cooked and reaches internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee food safety and prevent potential bacterial risks.
  • Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and reduce overall meal preparation time.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55-67 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 550
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 70 g
  • Fiber: 6 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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