BBQ Chicken Sweet Potatoes

Since summer is still in swing and it's still incredibly hot in Georgia, I've been craving some barbecue lately! Now when you think of typical BBQ fare, you think ribs, brisket, maybe some fried okra (if you're in the south), some greens (also in the south) and some Mac and cheese.

Now while all these are pretty delicious, we can't eat those all the time unless we are looking for a heart attack before the age of 30. But I still love BBQ! So I decided to experiment a bit and create a healthier version to satisfy my BBQ craving for the summer. 

The good thing about this recipe is thy it is a base and you can dress it up or down according to your taste and your families tastes.

BBQ Chicken Sweet Potatoes 

Ingredients (for 4 servings)

-4 medium sized sweet potatoes

-2 larger chicken breasts or 3 smaller 

-2 medium onions

-1 Tbsp olive oil (or cooking oil of choice) 

-Organic BBQ sauce (to make sure you're not getting overloaded with sodium or sugar)

- Mrs. Dash chicken seasoning (or your chicken seasoning of choice) to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Bake your sweet potatoes about 45-60 minutes, or until tender and cooked through.

3. While potatoes cook, you can prepare the chicken. 

4. In large skillet, heat your cooking oil on medium high heat.

5. Slice your onions into thin slices and add to hot oil, cooking until they start to become translucent. Lower the heat to medium, let cook for 5 minutes uncovered, stirring every so often.

6. Coat chicken lightly with your seasoning and add on top of the onions. Cover your skillet and let the chicken cook through (about 7 minutes per side). 

7. After the chicken is cooked, remove from onions onto cutting board and shred with two forks.

8. Keep onions cooking until they start to caramelize a bit and turn yellow.

9. Return chicken to pan and mix with the onions.

10. Add your BBQ sauce, usually about 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup, depending on how "saucy" you like it.

11. Remove your potatoes and split open, divide BBQ chicken evenly among the potatoes.

12. Dig in and enjoy! 

Some variations you could do: serve with a side salad or steamed spinach, or garlic roasted broccoli. 

You could also "twice bake" them by scooping out part of the potato, mix it with the chicken, spoon back into potatoes and bake through. 

There are so many options and possibilities! Get creative and enjoy this last bit of summer before its gone! 

What's your favorite BBQ chicken recipe?