Sheet-Pan BBQ Chicken and Sweet Potato Cubes
By the QuiteRecipes team (Jamy & Kaïna) | Food Service Professional, Early Childhood Expert & Parents
Sticky BBQ-glazed chicken and caramelized sweet potato cubes roast together on one sheet pan — a sweet-and-smoky dinner with effortless clean-up.
Barbecue chicken and roasted sweet potatoes are a match made in sheet-pan heaven — sticky, smoky, caramelized, and practically self-cleaning. Chicken thighs soak in a glossy barbecue glaze while cubes of sweet potato roast until their edges turn chewy-sweet and golden, all on one tray. The sauce thickens and clings to the chicken as it bakes, turning every bite into a mini indoor barbecue. We love it for busy weeks when we want oven magic and minimal mess, and it meal-preps beautifully for lunch boxes all week long.
🥄 Ingredients
- 🫗 600g boneless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- 🫗 3 medium sweet potatoes, cut into 1-in (2.5cm) cubes
- 🫗 2 tbsp olive oil
- 🫗 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, salt, and pepper
- 🫗 1 cup (240ml) barbecue sauce
- 🫗 Optional: 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar, chopped scallions, lime wedges
Nutrition Facts*
*Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands and portion sizes. Values are provided per serving.
👨🍳 Instructions
**Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F)** and line a large sheet pan with foil.
**Toss the sweet potato cubes** with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper; spread them on one side of the pan.
**Brush the chicken generously with barbecue sauce** and place on the other side.
**Roast 25–30 minutes**, flipping the potatoes and re-glazing the chicken halfway.
**Brush once more with sauce** at the end and roast 5 minutes until sticky and glossy.
**Rest 5 minutes**, then finish with scallions and lime.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ✕
Crowding the potatoes so they steam and never crisp.
- ✕
Sauce that burns — if the edges darken too fast, lower to 200°C.
- ✕
Undersized cubes that turn to mush before the chicken finishes.
- ✕
Skipping the rest — let the chicken hold its juices before slicing.
🔄 Variations
Swap the glaze: teriyaki, sweet chili, or honey-garlic sauces all work.
Add red onion wedges for extra color and sweetness.
Wrap it up in tortillas with slaw for BBQ chicken tacos.
Chicken breast swap: reduce the time slightly to avoid drying out.
🧊 Storage
- 📦
Keeps 4 days refrigerated and is a dream for meal prep — portion over rice or greens.
💡 Chef Tips
Cut the sweet potatoes even so they roast at the same speed.
Re-glaze halfway — that second layer of sauce is what makes it barbecue-sticky.
Space the chicken so the sauce can caramelize instead of steaming.
Line the pan with foil; the sticky sauce is delicious, not fun to scrub.
❓ FAQ
Can I use bone-in chicken?
Yes — add 10 minutes and check to an internal temperature of 74°C.
What barbecue sauce is best?
Your favorite; a smoky-sweet one shines brightest here.
Can I prep it ahead?
Fully — the tray can be assembled hours ahead and baked when ready.
How many calories?
About 520 per serving — a sweet-and-smoky complete dinner.
🔗 Related Recipes
About the Authors
This recipe and guide was developed, tested, and approved in our home kitchen and daily life. Jamy is a retired Food Service District Manager and Early Childhood Program Manager who spent his career overseeing multi-site restaurant operations, large-scale culinary production, and daycare menu management. Kaïna brings the ultimate real-world test: making sure it brings ease and joy to our kids on a busy weeknight.
Read more about our professional background and philosophy →