BBQ Chicken Bowls with Sweet Potatoes, Coleslaw, and Pickles Recipe

If you’re ready to fall in love with your next meal, BBQ Chicken Bowls with Sweet Potatoes, Coleslaw, and Pickles are here to sweep you off your feet. These bowls burst with smoky, tangy, and sweet flavors, layered with juicy barbecue chicken, caramelized roasted sweet potatoes, crisp homemade coleslaw, and snappy pickles—all together in a single, vibrant bowl.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The best part about BBQ Chicken Bowls with Sweet Potatoes, Coleslaw, and Pickles is how simple, colorful, and manageable your ingredient list is! Every piece plays a starring role, from tender chicken to the tangy quick-pickled veggies.

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that soaks up every bit of smoky BBQ goodness.
• BBQ Sauce: Choose a bold, flavorful sauce—homemade or your go-to store-bought favorite.
• Italian Dressing: Adds a zesty, balanced punch and keeps chicken juicy while cooking.
• Sweet Potatoes: Roasted until caramelized; they bring natural sweetness that pairs perfectly with barbecue flavors.
• Cinnamon & Oil: A hint of cinnamon deepens the sweet potatoes and avocado or coconut oil ensures crispy edges.
• English Cucumber, Fresh Dill, Garlic, Mustard Seeds: These homemade quick pickles add sharpness and brightness.
• White or White Wine Vinegar & Water: For pickling your cucumbers—choose white wine vinegar for extra flavor.
• Mayonnaise: The creamy backbone of your coleslaw; use a good-quality mayo for the best texture.
• Vinegar & Sugar: Brings balance to the slaw and makes it irresistible with each crunchy bite.
• Shredded Coleslaw Mix: So convenient—pre-shredded makes this bowl weeknight-friendly and extra crunchy.
• Fresh Chopped Parsley & BBQ Seasoning: An optional sprinkle for that chef’s finishing touch!

Variations

One of the joys of BBQ Chicken Bowls with Sweet Potatoes, Coleslaw, and Pickles is just how flexible they are. Feel free to mix and match components based on what you already have—or what your tastebuds are craving!

• Pulled Pork Instead: Swap the chicken for shredded BBQ pork for a Southern twist.
• Vegetarian Bowl: Use BBQ jackfruit or roasted chickpeas in place of chicken for a plant-based option everyone will love.
• Change Up the Slaw: Try broccoli slaw or even shaved Brussels sprouts for a new layer of crunch and flavor.
• Spice it Up: Toss sliced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne in your pickles for a little heat.

How to Make BBQ Chicken Bowls with Sweet Potatoes, Coleslaw, and Pickles

Step 1: Roast the Sweet Potatoes

Preheat your oven to 425ºF. Toss the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes with oil and a dash of cinnamon directly on a baking sheet. Roast them for about 20 minutes, give them a good flip, and then roast another 10–15 minutes until they’re golden and caramelized on the edges but still luscious inside.

Step 2: Make Quick Dill Pickles

While your sweet potatoes are roasting, combine sliced English cucumber, fresh dill, minced garlic, mustard seeds, water, vinegar, and salt in a bowl. Let them marinate—they’ll get crunchy and tangy while everything else cooks. (Or, if you’re short on time, just use cold, high-quality store-bought dill pickles!)

Step 3: Prepare BBQ Chicken

Now let’s talk chicken! For the juiciest results, use your Instant Pot: combine the chicken breasts, BBQ sauce, Italian dressing, and a pinch of salt. Cook at high pressure for 10 minutes, quick release, and shred the chicken directly in the pot (two forks or a hand mixer on low works wonders!). Use sauté mode for a final 5 minutes, tossing to coat the chicken in all that sticky-sweet sauce. No pressure cooker? No problem—use your slow cooker or stovetop for tender results.

Step 4: Toss the Coleslaw

Stir together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl, then pour this creamy-slash-tangy dressing over your shredded coleslaw mix. Toss it together—use your hands if you want to really mingle those flavors and break down the cabbage so it’s extra silky and craveable.

Step 5: Assemble and Garnish

Set up your bowls for the grand finale! Mound roasted sweet potatoes, pile on the BBQ chicken, add a generous scoop of creamy coleslaw, and nestle in a few dill pickles. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and a dash of BBQ seasoning if you like. That glorious medley of color and flavor is what makes BBQ Chicken Bowls with Sweet Potatoes, Coleslaw, and Pickles truly unforgettable!

How to Serve BBQ Chicken Bowls with Sweet Potatoes, Coleslaw, and Pickles

Garnishes

These bowls are picture-perfect with a scattering of freshly chopped parsley, but you can also add a sprinkle of dry BBQ seasoning or even a dash of smoked paprika for little pops of color and spice. For a fun twist, try a few thinly sliced jalapeños or a squeeze of fresh lemon to brighten all the flavors.

Side Dishes

Honestly, these bowls are a meal all on their own thanks to the careful balance of protein, starch, and veggies! But if you want something extra, a warm slice of cornbread, buttered steamed greens, or a big pitcher of iced sweet tea make perfect Southern-inspired companions.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve BBQ Chicken Bowls with Sweet Potatoes, Coleslaw, and Pickles in your prettiest shallow bowl for a bistro vibe, or layer everything in a mason jar for the cutest portable work lunch. For family-style meals or parties, set up a build-your-own bowl bar and let everyone customize theirs with their favorite toppings!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

BBQ Chicken Bowls with Sweet Potatoes, Coleslaw, and Pickles store beautifully. Keep each component in a separate airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days—for best results, drain any excess dressing from leftover slaw before refrigerating to keep it crisp and not soggy.

Freezing

The shredded BBQ chicken and roasted sweet potatoes both freeze well for longer storage. Simply portion into freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to 2 months. The coleslaw and pickles, however, are best made fresh—the creamy slaw dressing doesn’t freeze well and pickles lose their crunch.

Reheating

Reheat the chicken and sweet potatoes gently—either in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat—until warmed through. Assemble your bowls with fresh coleslaw and pickles just before serving for that signature mix of hot, cold, and all things delicious!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something satisfying, colorful, and bursting with flavor, you can’t go wrong with BBQ Chicken Bowls with Sweet Potatoes, Coleslaw, and Pickles. Give them a try this week—your taste buds (and everyone at your table) will thank you!

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