These chicken smashed potatoes are loaded with crispy potatoes, BBQ chicken, melted cheese, and fresh green onions for an easy family dinner.
Some recipes surprise you the first time you make them, and this one definitely did for me.
I'm usually the one working on DIY projects while someone else handles the cooking, so creating a recipe that everyone immediately requested again felt like a pretty big win.
Between home projects and busy weeknights, I love having simple meals that don't require much fuss but still feel like comfort food.
If you're looking for a dinner that's hearty, flavorful, and easy enough for any night of the week, this recipe belongs on your menu.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
If you love BBQ chicken and crispy potatoes, this recipe brings the best of both together in one dish. Instead of traditional mashed potatoes, crispy smashed potatoes create the perfect base for tender shredded chicken, melted cheese, and your favorite toppings.
The combination of crispy edges, fluffy centers, and smoky barbecue flavor makes every bite a little different. It's comfort food that's simple enough for a weeknight but delicious enough to serve when family or friends come over.
Ingredients
See the recipe card below for measurements and instructions.
- Chicken Breasts
- BBQ Sauce
- Yellow Potatoes
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Shredded Cheese
- Green Onions
- Sour Cream
BBQ Chicken Smashed Potatoes
Ingredients
Shredded BBQ Chicken
- 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- Barbecue Sauce 8-12 oz
Smashed Potatoes
- 10-12 Yellow Potatoes
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Cheese
- Green Onions
- Sour Cream
Instructions
Shredded BBQ Chicken
- Place the chicken ingredients into a slow cooker and cook until the chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
- Shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker, mixing it back into the cooking juices. As the chicken rests, it will absorb the flavorful juices, making it extra moist and delicious.
Smashed Potatoes
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. While the oven heats, scrub the baby potatoes and boil them in salted water until they are fork tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes and let them cool for a few minutes.
- Arrange the potatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. Use a potato masher or the bottom of a sturdy glass to gently smash each potato until it is about ½ inch thick.
- Brush or drizzle the smashed potatoes with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings called for in the recipe.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown with crispy edges.
- Top each smashed potato with the BBQ shredded chicken and shredded cheese. Return the baking sheet to the oven for 3 to 5 minutes, just until the cheese has melted.
- Finish with your favorite toppings, such as sliced green onions, crispy bacon, or an extra drizzle of barbecue sauce. Serve warm.
Notes
- When shredding the chicken in the slow cooker, don't worry if there's a lot of liquid. As you shred and stir the chicken, it will soak up those flavorful juices, making it incredibly tender and delicious.
- This recipe uses only half of the shredded chicken for the smashed potatoes. The remaining chicken is perfect for BBQ sandwiches, wraps, salads, or another easy meal later in the week.
- If you're serving a larger crowd, simply double the potatoes while using the full batch of shredded chicken.
- If you don't want leftover chicken, prepare only half of the slow cooker chicken recipe.
Nutrition
Recipe Tips
The potatoes are ready to smash when they are fork-tender after boiling. Letting them cool for just a few minutes before pressing them helps keep them from falling apart.
A potato masher works best, but the bottom of a sturdy drinking glass works just as well if that's what you have on hand.
Don't skip the olive oil before baking. It helps the potatoes turn golden brown in the oven and creates those crispy edges that make smashed potatoes so good.
If you prefer even more barbecue flavor, drizzle a little extra BBQ sauce over the chicken just before serving.
Easy Variations
This recipe is easy to customize based on what your family enjoys.
Try using pepper jack cheese for a little heat or smoked cheddar for even more flavor. Crumbled bacon, diced jalapeños, or fresh cilantro also make delicious toppings.
If you have leftover shredded chicken from another recipe, this is a great way to use it up without much extra work.
What to Serve with Chicken Smashed Potatoes
Since this recipe is hearty on its own, lighter side dishes pair especially well.
A simple green salad, steamed vegetables, roasted broccoli, corn on the cob, or fresh fruit all help balance the richness of the potatoes and cheese.
How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For the crispiest potatoes, reheat them in a 375°F oven or air fryer until heated through.
The microwave works well, too, although the potatoes will lose some of their crisp texture.
Now you can sit back and wait for the compliments to roll in while you enjoy your own bite!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The shredded BBQ chicken can be prepared one or two days in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to assemble the recipe.
Yes. Yellow potatoes work beautifully because they become creamy inside while crisping nicely outside, but baby red potatoes are another great option. Russet potatoes can also be used, although they tend to break apart a little more when smashed.
The shredded chicken freezes very well. The potatoes are best enjoyed fresh since freezing changes their texture after baking.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how impressive it looks with very little effort. Once everything comes out of the oven, all that's left is to add your favorite toppings and watch everyone dig in. It's the kind of meal that disappears fast and usually gets requests to make it again before dinner is even over.
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