BBQ Chicken Buddy Bowls
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I was recently inspired by a dish I tried at one of our favorite local BBQ spots—R&R BBQ. Their signature Buddy Bowls are a smoky, savory dream, and I couldn’t stop thinking about how to recreate that layered comfort at home. After a little experimenting, this recipe for BBQ Chicken Buddy Bowls was born—and it’s every bit as satisfying as the restaurant version, with a few shortcuts to make it weeknight-friendly.
At R&R, the Buddy Bowls start with a base of garlic mashed potatoes, topped with some of their creamy corn. Then comes your choice of smoked pulled pork, brisket, or chicken, followed by a sprinkle of shredded cheese and a sprinkling of fresh cilantro. To finish, they offer a variety of BBQ sauces you can drizzle on top at the table—each one adding its own bold twist.
While this would be incredible with my Cherry Cola Smoked Pulled Pork, I wanted a simpler protein option that didn’t require firing up the smoker. So I went with a slow cooker BBQ pulled chicken for this homemade version—easy to prep, full of flavor, and made smoky with just a touch of liquid smoke. It’s tender, saucy, and perfect for layering.
For the mashed potato base, I used my Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes. They’re creamy, buttery, and infused with garlic—very similar to what R&R serves. Of course, feel free to use your favorite mashed potato recipe here. Whether you go homemade or use a shortcut, the real magic is in how all the layers come together.
This dish is hearty, customizable, and perfect for feeding a crowd or treating yourself to a cozy BBQ-inspired dinner at home. I like to think of it as a smoky, savory twist on the KFC-style Famous Bowl I’ve shared before, but with bold barbecue flavors and homemade comfort. Ready to layer up something delicious? Let’s build a barbecue chicken bowl!
Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Buddy Bowls
- BARBECUE SAUCE
- LIQUID SMOKE
- GARLIC POWDER
- ONION POWDER
- ITALIAN SEASONING
- CAYENNE PEPPER
- CHICKEN BREASTS
- MASHED POTATOES (I USE MY CREAMY INSTANT POT MASHED POTATOES)
- CORN
- SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE
- FRESH CILANTRO
Instructions for BBQ Chicken Bowls
Start by prepping your slow cooker. Add the BBQ sauce, liquid smoke, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of cayenne pepper directly into the insert. Stir everything together until well combined, then nestle the chicken breasts into the sauce, making sure they’re fully coated.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours or LOW for 4 hours, depending on your schedule. towards the end of the cooking process, prepare the mashed potatoes, shred the cheese, chop the fresh cilantro, and warm up the corn—this way, everything’s ready to assemble when the chicken is done.
Once the chicken is cooked through and tender, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the sauce and stir well to coat every bite in that smoky, tangy goodness.
To build your Buddy Bowls, start with a generous scoop (about 1 cup) of garlic mashed potatoes in each bowl. Top with a spoonful of warm corn, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, a serving of BBQ chicken, and a dash of fresh cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy a cozy, layered BBQ-inspired meal!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different protein besides chicken?
Absolutely! These bowls are versatile—try pulled pork, shredded beef, or even chopped brisket. If you’re up for it, my Cherry Cola Smoked Pulled Pork adds incredible depth.
Do I need liquid smoke for the chicken?
Liquid smoke adds that signature BBQ flavor without a smoker, but it’s optional. If you skip it, consider using a smoky BBQ sauce or adding a pinch of smoked paprika.
Can I make the chicken ahead of time?
Yes! The pulled BBQ chicken can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge. Reheat gently in the slow cooker or microwave before assembling the bowls.
What kind of mashed potatoes work best?
I love using my Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes, but any creamy mashed potato recipe will do. You can even use store-bought if you’re short on time.
Can I use canned corn instead of frozen or fresh?
Yes—fresh or frozen works just fine. Just warm it before layering it into the bowls.
How spicy is this recipe?
The cayenne is mild after the slow cooking, but it’s easy to adjust. Leave it out for an even milder version, or add more if you like heat.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
BBQ Chicken Buddy Bowls
Real Mom Kitchen
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 drops liquid smoke
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
- 5 cups prepared mashed potatoes
- 15 oz can corn
- 1 cups cheese shredded
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- In your slow cooker, add the bbq sauce, liquid smoke, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and cayenne. Mix together. Add in the chicken breast and cover them with the sauce mixture.
- Cook on HIGH for 2 hours or low for 4 hours. Before the chicken is ready, prepare the mashed potatoes, shred the cheese, chop the cilantro and heat the corn. This way it’s ready to build the bowls when the chicken is done.
- When the chicken is finished cooking, remove and shred. Place back in the sauce and stir to cook.
- To build the bowls, add about 1 cup of mashed potatoes to each bowl, followed by a spoonful of corn, a sprinkling of cheese, some of the BBQ chicken, and a sprinkling of the fresh cilantro. Makes 5 servings.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe is a Real Mom Kitchen original recipe.
