Easy BBQ Chicken Bubble Up Recipe: Cheesy, Family-Friendly Dinner in 35 Minutes
Easy BBQ Chicken Bubble Up Recipe: Cheesy, Family-Friendly Dinner in 35 Minutes If you’d told me a year ago that an Easy BBQ Chicken Bubble Up Recipe would become one of my go-to comfort meals, I would’ve been skeptical. But let me tell you — something magical happened the first time I brought this dish to the dinner table.

This Easy BBQ Chicken Bubble Up Recipe is everything I love about family-style comfort food: fluffy biscuit “bubbles,” creamy, cheesy layers, tangy BBQ sauce, and a tender chicken base that soaks up all that goodness. It’s quick, it’s cozy, and it’s the type of dish that magically disappears from the pan before I even get my second scoop.
I first made this dish on a night when everything felt like it was going off the rails — the kind of night when dinner feels impossible. The kids were bickering, my husband kept asking what was cooking, and I had a fridge full of “almost something” ingredients. Then I spotted a leftover rotisserie chicken, a half-bottle of BBQ sauce, and a lonely can of biscuits.
And immediately, I heard my grandmother’s voice in my head:
“Use what you have, Diana. The best meals come from simple ingredients.”
When I was little, I’d stand on a wooden stool next to my grandmother at her kitchen counter. She never used a recipe card. She cooked by watching, smelling, tasting — and teaching me to do the same. This Easy BBQ Chicken Bubble Up Recipe feels exactly like something she would’ve loved: no fuss, all flavor.
Welcome to DianaRecipes.com, where I share the dishes that transformed my kitchen and my family’s dinner table. And believe me, this Easy BBQ Chicken Bubble Up Recipe earns its spot right next to favorites like my Chicken Cornbread https://dianarecipes.com/chicken-cornbread/.
What Makes This Easy BBQ Chicken Bubble Up Recipe So Special
Here’s what you’ll need to create this dreamy, cheesy, super comforting dish:
The Foundation:
- 2 cups shredded chicken
Rotisserie chicken works beautifully. - 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough
When baked, these fluffy pieces “bubble up” into soft pockets of goodness. - 1 cup shredded mozzarella
For that gooey, stretchy melt. - 1 cup shredded cheddar
Classic sharp flavor that balances the sweetness of BBQ. - 1 cup BBQ sauce
Sweet, smoky perfection. - ½ cup sour cream
This is what makes everything creamy and silky.
The Magic Touch:
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika – deepens the BBQ flavor
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder – adds warmth
- ¼ teaspoon pepper – just enough to balance everything
Substitutions I’ve Actually Tested:
- Pulled pork instead of chicken
Amazing, but a bit heavier. - Greek yogurt instead of sour cream
Did this during a grocery shortage — still creamy! - Dairy-free cheese
Not as melty, but works in a pinch. - Cauliflower instead of biscuits (low-carb)
My husband loves this twist.
Time Investment That’s Actually Worth It
Let’s break it down:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Faster than most casseroles and perfect for busy nights.
My Time-Saving Trick:
Use kitchen scissors to cut biscuit dough — my grandmother taught me this trick while baking biscuits when I was a kid on that same wooden stool.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients Like a Pro
Quarter the biscuits into small pieces.
Diana’s Tip: Lightly dust your hands with flour so the dough doesn’t stick.
What to Watch For: Too-large pieces will stay doughy.
Step 2: The Secret to Creamy, Tangy BBQ Chicken
Mix chicken, BBQ sauce, sour cream, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper.
Diana’s Tip: Warm BBQ sauce mixes smoother.
What to Watch For: Don’t drown the mixture — 1 cup of sauce is perfect.
Step 3: When Magic Happens
Fold biscuit pieces into the chicken mixture.
Diana’s Tip: Coat every piece for max flavor.
What to Watch For: Overmixing makes biscuits tough.
Step 4: The Final Touch That Changes Everything
Spread in a greased baking dish, top with mozzarella and cheddar, and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
Diana’s Tip: Broil for 2 minutes for golden cheesy perfection.
What to Watch For: Edges cooking too quickly — rotate halfway through.
Why I Feel Good About Serving This
Here’s the approximate nutrition per serving:
- Calories: ~420
- Protein: 26g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fat: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
Balanced comfort food at its finest.
For Keto or Low-Carb:
Use roasted cauliflower instead of biscuits — a trick I learned while meal prepping for my husband.
Making This Even Better for You
For Lower Carbs:
Use cauliflower instead of biscuit dough.
- Worked: Flavorful, light, surprisingly fluffy.
- Didn’t Work: Whole wheat biscuits — too dense.
For Dairy-Free:
Use dairy-free sour cream and cheese.
To Boost Protein:
Add an extra cup of shredded chicken — great for lunches.
How I Love to Serve This
Let me tell you how I serve this Easy BBQ Chicken Bubble Up Recipe:
Weeknight Dinner:
With a simple salad or steamed veggies.
Entertaining:
I once served this at a summer BBQ next to my Chicken Cornbread (link again because it’s THAT good):
https://dianarecipes.com/chicken-cornbread/
Everyone devoured both dishes!
Seasonal Twist:
In fall, I add caramelized onions — pure comfort.
Perfect Pairings:
- Cornbread (again — truly perfect!)
- Coleslaw
- Roasted vegetables
- Fresh fruit
And I share these combos on Pinterest all the time:
https://uk.pinterest.com/DianaCookinge/
Learn from My Kitchen Disasters
Mistake #1: Too much BBQ sauce
Makes it soggy.
Fix: Stick to 1 cup.
Mistake #2: Not cutting biscuits small enough
Big pieces don’t bake through.
Fix: Quarter them always.
Meal Prep Magic with This Easy BBQ Chicken Bubble Up Recipe
Short-Term Storage:
Stays delicious for 3 days in the fridge.
Freezer-Friendly:
Freeze single portions for 2–3 months.
My Sunday Prep Routine:
I make two pans at once — one for now, one for a future busy night.
Reheating Like a Pro:
Use the oven for fluffy biscuits and melty cheese.
Why This Recipe Earned a Permanent Spot in My Kitchen
This Easy BBQ Chicken Bubble Up Recipe lives in my weekly rotation because:
- It’s fast
- It’s hearty
- It uses simple pantry staples
- My kids love it
- It reminds me of my grandmother’s no-recipe-card cooking
Making this dish takes me right back to standing on that wooden stool beside her, learning how to cook with heart.
Ready to make it?
Share your creations!
Tag me on Pinterest → https://uk.pinterest.com/DianaCookinge/
Try this PERFECT pairing → https://dianarecipes.com/chicken-cornbread/
Table of Contents

Easy BBQ Chicken Bubble Up Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cut biscuit dough into small bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, mix shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, sour cream, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and pepper.
- Fold biscuit pieces gently into the mixture until coated.
- Spread into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Top with mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until biscuits have bubbled up and cheese is melted and golden.
- Optional: Broil for 1–2 minutes for a browned, bubbly finish.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
) Roasted veggies
