Cozy Chicken And Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe For Family Meals

Weeknight dinners demand quick, nourishing meals that satisfy hunger and delight taste buds.

This hearty chicken and sweet potato skillet delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

One-pan cooking simplifies meal preparation while ensuring every bite bursts with delicious ingredients.

The combination of tender chicken and caramelized sweet potatoes creates a comforting dish that feels like a warm embrace.

Aromatic herbs and spices dance together, elevating simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Packed with protein and nutrients, this skillet recipe offers a balanced meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Prepare to experience a dinner that will become a new family favorite.

Store Chicken And Sweet Potato Skillet Smart

• Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare double the recipe in one skillet for quick weekday lunches and dinners. Portion into airtight containers for grab-and-go meals that stay fresh up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Cool the skillet mixture completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Sealed meals maintain excellent quality for 2-3 months, allowing convenient future meal options with minimal prep time.
• Reheating Pro Tips: Warm refrigerated or thawed meals in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating throughout the dish.
• Ingredient Prep Hack: Chop chicken and sweet potatoes in advance during weekend meal prep. Store separately in sealed containers, reducing weeknight cooking time by 15-20 minutes and simplifying meal assembly.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

What’s Inside Chicken And Sweet Potato Skillet

• Chicken: Lean protein that adds hearty flavor and satisfying texture, choose boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs for even cooking.

• Onion, Garlic: Foundational flavor builders that create depth and complexity, select fresh firm onions and plump garlic cloves for maximum taste.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that balance and highlight natural ingredients, use freshly ground black pepper for robust taste.
• Paprika, Cumin: Warm spices that add smoky and earthy undertones, opt for high-quality ground spices for authentic flavor profile.
• Chili Powder: Introduces subtle heat and vibrant color, choose a blend that matches your preferred spice level.

• Olive Oil: Provides smooth cooking surface and subtle fruity notes, select extra virgin for best flavor.
• Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and enriches overall dish taste, use low-sodium varieties for better control of salt content.

• Lime: Bright acidic element that cuts through richness and lifts entire dish, select ripe, heavy limes for maximum juice.
• Parsley or Cilantro: Fresh herb garnish that adds color and vibrant herbal notes, choose bright green leaves without wilting.

Tools To Cook Chicken And Sweet Potato Skillet

• Large skillet: Essential for cooking all ingredients in one pan, providing even heat distribution.
• Cutting board: Perfect for preparing chicken and chopping sweet potatoes, onions, and herbs.
• Sharp knife: Needed to slice chicken and dice vegetables precisely.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Measuring spoons: Help accurately measure spices and olive oil.
• Meat thermometer: Ensures chicken reaches safe internal temperature of 165F/75C.
• Lime squeezer (optional): Makes extracting fresh lime juice easier.

Steps To Make Chicken And Sweet Potato Skillet

• Sear Chicken

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss chicken pieces with seasonings and cook until golden brown on edges but not fully done. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.

• Roast Sweet Potatoes

Add more oil to the same skillet. Tumble sweet potatoes and onions into the pan, stirring occasionally. Splash in some broth and sprinkle garlic and spices. Cover and let potatoes become tender and soft.

• Bring Everything Together

Slide chicken back into the skillet, mixing everything smoothly. Continue cooking until chicken reaches perfect doneness. Pull skillet off heat and drizzle with fresh lime juice. Scatter some fresh herbs on top and serve immediately while hot and fragrant.

Flavor Ideas For Chicken And Sweet Potato Skillet

• Skillet Secrets: Master the Chicken and Sweet Potato Dish
• Chicken Doneness Check: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165F/75C without overcooking, guaranteeing juicy, perfectly cooked protein every time.
• Potato Cutting Pro Tip: Dice sweet potatoes into uniform, bite-sized pieces for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the skillet.
• Spice Adventure: Experiment with different spice blends like smoked paprika, ground coriander, or za'atar to create unique flavor profiles that transform the basic recipe.
• Diet-Friendly Swaps: For gluten-free needs, ensure all spices are certified gluten-free. Dairy-free diners can skip additional cheese toppings. Vegetarian lovers can replace chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas for a plant-based version.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the skillet in advance and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, reheating gently to maintain the sweet potatoes' tender texture and chicken's moisture.

Serve Chicken And Sweet Potato Skillet Cozy And Hot

• Cozy Family Dinner: Serve this hearty skillet alongside fluffy white rice or quinoa to soak up all the delicious juices and create a complete meal.
• Bright Zesty Topping: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese or add a dollop of tangy Greek yogurt on top to introduce a creamy, cool contrast to the warm spices.
• Fresh Green Companions: Create a simple side salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the chicken and sweet potatoes, adding a refreshing element to the plate.
• Weekend Meal Prep Hero: Pack individual portions in meal prep containers with an extra squeeze of lime for a delicious lunch option that reheats beautifully and keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Hearty Chicken And Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe

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4.5 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired chicken and sweet potato skillet delivers hearty comfort on cold nights. Spicy seasonings and tender ingredients create a satisfying one-pan meal you can savor with minimal cleanup.

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Ingredients

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• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• ½ onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp chili powder (optional, for spice)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup chicken broth or water
• 1 tbsp lime juice (optional, for brightness)
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, drizzling olive oil to create a sizzling cooking surface for the protein and aromatic spices.
2. Chicken Searing: Nestle chicken pieces into the hot skillet, coating with salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin, searing for 4 minutes to develop a golden-brown exterior while keeping the meat partially undercooked.
3. Vegetable Foundation: Remove chicken and add another splash of olive oil, introducing sweet potato cubes and diced onions to caramelize and soften over 5-6 minutes, then incorporate minced garlic and chili powder.
4. Moisture and Tenderization: Deglaze the skillet with chicken broth, cover, and steam vegetables until fork-tender, creating a rich, flavorful base for the dish.
5. Final Integration: Return seared chicken to the skillet, gently incorporating all components and cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F/75°C.
6. Finishing Touches: Elevate the dish’s brightness by squeezing fresh lime juice over the skillet’s contents and scattering fresh chopped parsley or cilantro for a vibrant, herbal complexity.
7. Serving: Present the skillet immediately while ingredients remain piping hot, allowing the harmonious blend of flavors to shine.

Notes

• Check Chicken Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F/75°C, preventing foodborne illness while maintaining juicy texture.
• Optimize Sweet Potato Caramelization: Cut sweet potato cubes uniformly to promote even cooking and achieve golden-brown edges for enhanced flavor development.
• Manage Heat Levels: Maintain medium-high heat to create perfect sear on chicken and allow vegetables to caramelize without burning.
• Customize Spice Profile: Adjust spice blend according to dietary preferences by reducing chili powder for milder version or adding extra paprika for deeper warmth.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 7g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 70mg