Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it's ready for the potatoes.
Begin by washing and drying the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Use a fork to poke several holes in each potato; this will help steam escape during baking.
Lightly rub each sweet potato with olive oil and sprinkle with salt for flavor. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Bake the sweet potatoes in the preheated oven for approximately 45-55 minutes, or until they are tender enough to pierce with a fork.
While the sweet potatoes are baking, prepare the BBQ chicken filling. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, corn kernels, black beans, finely chopped red onion, and season with salt and pepper. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the BBQ sauce.
Once the sweet potatoes are done baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for about 5 minutes, making them easier to handle.
Carefully slice each sweet potato lengthwise down the center to create a pocket for the filling. Using a fork, gently fluff the insides of the potatoes to create a light texture.
Generously spoon the prepared BBQ chicken mixture into each sweet potato pocket, taking care not to overfill.
Sprinkle the stuffed sweet potatoes with shredded cheddar cheese, covering the filling evenly.
Return the stuffed sweet potatoes to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and become bubbly.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Just before serving, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro for a burst of color and flavor.
Notes
Serve with extra BBQ sauce and cilantro for garnish.