If you’re craving a hearty, delicious, and simple dinner, the Easy BBQ Chicken Potato Skillet is a must-try. This one-pan wonder combines tender chicken, golden potatoes, and tangy BBQ sauce into a comforting meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, this dish brings together classic BBQ vibes and the satisfying crunch of skillet-cooked potatoes. It’s an all-in-one dinner that’s not only crowd-pleasing but also incredibly practical for anyone looking to spend less time cooking and more time enjoying their meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Convenient: Everything cooks in one skillet, saving you time on washing dishes and prepping ingredients.
- Perfect Weeknight Meal: Ready in less than 40 minutes, it fits seamlessly into any busy schedule.
- Balanced Flavors: The smoky BBQ sauce pairs beautifully with the crispy potatoes and juicy chicken for a flavor-packed bite every time.
- Family-Friendly: This recipe appeals to both kids and adults, making dinner a happy occasion for everyone at the table.
- Customizable: Easily tailored with your favorite spices or veggie additions to suit your taste and preferences.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Easy BBQ Chicken Potato Skillet recipe shines because of its simple, trusty ingredients. Each item adds a layer of flavor, texture, or color that transforms humble staples into a mouthwatering meal.
- Chicken breasts or thighs: Choose boneless for quicker cooking and juicy, tender meat.
- Baby potatoes: Small potatoes are perfect for skillet cooking and deliver a crisp, golden exterior.
- BBQ sauce: Pick your favorite barbecue sauce for that authentic sweet and tangy flavor.
- Olive oil: Used to sear the chicken and potatoes, giving them a beautiful golden crust.
- Garlic powder: Enhances the flavor without overpowering the BBQ sauce.
- Smoked paprika: Adds a subtle smoky depth to complement the BBQ theme.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing the flavors.
- Fresh parsley: For garnish and a fresh pop of color.
Variations for Easy BBQ Chicken Potato Skillet
The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility! You can easily tweak it to suit your dietary needs or simply to keep things fresh and exciting every time you make it.
- Vegetarian swap: Replace chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh for a protein-packed vegetarian version.
- Spice it up: Add cayenne pepper or chili flakes for some heat to the dish.
- Veggie boost: Toss in bell peppers, corn kernels, or green beans for added texture and nutrition.
- Different potatoes: Use sweet potatoes for a naturally sweeter, nutrient-rich alternative.
- Low-sodium BBQ: Opt for a reduced-sodium BBQ sauce to keep it heart-healthy without losing flavor.
How to Make Easy BBQ Chicken Potato Skillet
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Start by rinsing the baby potatoes and cutting any larger ones in half to ensure even cooking. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika for a well-rounded flavor base.
Step 2: Cook the Potatoes
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the potatoes and cook them undisturbed for about 8 minutes so they develop a golden crust. Stir occasionally until they’re fork-tender and crisp on the outside.
Step 3: Sear the Chicken
Push the potatoes to the sides of the skillet and add the chicken pieces in the center. Cook for 5-6 minutes on each side, allowing the outside to brown nicely while the inside remains juicy and tender.
Step 4: Add the BBQ Sauce
Lower the heat and pour your favorite BBQ sauce over the chicken and potatoes. Stir gently to coat everything evenly, then cover the skillet and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes. This helps meld the flavors and finishes cooking the chicken thoroughly.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once everything is cooked to perfection, sprinkle fresh parsley over the skillet for color and a hint of brightness. Dig in right away for the best flavor and texture.
Pro Tips for Making Easy BBQ Chicken Potato Skillet
- Pre-cook potatoes: Parboil the potatoes a few minutes before skillet cooking to reduce frying time and ensure softness inside.
- Use a heavy-bottom skillet: Cast iron works best for even heat distribution and perfect searing.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Give the chicken and potatoes space to cook evenly and develop a crispy crust.
- Check chicken doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe eating.
- Let it rest: Allow the skillet to sit off heat for a couple of minutes before serving to let juices redistribute.
How to Serve Easy BBQ Chicken Potato Skillet
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or chives add a lovely pop of color and freshness. A drizzle of extra BBQ sauce or a squeeze of lime juice can also enhance the flavors just before serving.
Side Dishes
This skillet pairs well with simple, light sides like a crisp green salad, steamed veggies, or coleslaw to balance the smoky richness of the barbecue.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the skillet family-style on the table for a cozy dinner vibe, or plate individual portions topped with crispy fried onions or shredded cheese for extra indulgence.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer cooled leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. This keeps the flavors fresh and ready for a quick reheat.
Freezing
The Easy BBQ Chicken Potato Skillet freezes well if packed tightly in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat to revive crispiness or microwave covered for convenience. Add a splash of water or a bit more BBQ sauce to keep the chicken moist.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
It’s best to use fully thawed chicken for even cooking and the best texture in this skillet recipe.
What’s the best BBQ sauce to use?
Choose a BBQ sauce you love, whether sweet, spicy, or smoky—the flavor will shine through and make the dish your own.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just double-check that your BBQ sauce and any seasonings are gluten-free to keep the dish safe for gluten-sensitive eaters.
How do I get the potatoes extra crispy?
Parboil potatoes first and don’t stir them too often while cooking to develop a golden, crispy exterior.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes! The familiar flavors of BBQ sauce and crispy potatoes are usually a hit with kids, and you can adjust seasonings to suit milder tastes.
Final Thoughts
This Easy BBQ Chicken Potato Skillet is a fantastic way to enjoy a wholesome and comforting meal without a complicated recipe or lengthy cleanup. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or just craving a satisfying dinner, it’s a recipe worth keeping in your weekly rotation. Give it a try tonight – I promise it’ll be a new favorite on your dinner table!
Related Posts
Print
Easy BBQ Chicken Potato Skillet
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Easy BBQ Chicken Potato Skillet is a delicious and hearty one-pan meal that combines tender chicken, crispy golden potatoes, and tangy BBQ sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe offers balanced smoky and savory flavors, minimal prep, and easy cleanup, making it an ideal family-friendly dinner option.
Ingredients
Protein
- 2 boneless chicken breasts or thighs
Vegetables
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved if large
- Optional: bell peppers, corn kernels, or green beans for veggie boost
Sauces and Oils
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (choose your favorite variety)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Rinse the baby potatoes and cut any larger ones in half to ensure even cooking. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika for well-rounded flavor.
- Cook the Potatoes: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the potatoes and cook undisturbed for about 8 minutes to develop a golden crust. Stir occasionally until they become fork-tender and crisp on the outside.
- Sear the Chicken: Push the potatoes to the sides of the skillet and add the chicken pieces in the center. Cook for 5-6 minutes on each side, allowing the outside to brown nicely while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
- Add the BBQ Sauce: Lower the heat and pour your favorite BBQ sauce over the chicken and potatoes. Stir gently to coat everything evenly, then cover the skillet and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes to meld flavors and finish cooking the chicken thoroughly.
- Garnish and Serve: Once cooked to perfection, sprinkle fresh parsley over the skillet for color and brightness. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Pre-cook potatoes by parboiling for a few minutes to reduce skillet cooking time and ensure softness inside.
- Use a heavy-bottom skillet like cast iron for even heat distribution and perfect searing.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure chicken and potatoes cook evenly and develop a crispy crust.
- Verify chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe eating using a meat thermometer.
- Let the skillet rest off heat for a couple of minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
