Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet
A quick, nutritious, and delicious one-pan meal featuring tender chicken and naturally sweet roasted sweet potatoes, cooked together with aromatic herbs and spices for a balanced and comforting weeknight dinner.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, seasoned with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and fresh herbs
Vegetables & Herbs
- Sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme (or basil, oregano, parsley as alternatives)
- Baby spinach or kale (optional)
Oils & Spices
- Olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Prep Your Ingredients: Dice the sweet potatoes into uniform cubes for even cooking. Season the chicken pieces generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and your chosen fresh herbs. Mince the garlic so it’s ready when cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Cook the Sweet Potatoes: In the same skillet, add more olive oil if needed and toss in the diced sweet potatoes. Let them cook undisturbed for a few minutes to get a nice sear, then stir occasionally until they start to soften and turn golden.
- Add Garlic and Herbs: Stir in the minced garlic and fresh herbs, cooking for another minute or until fragrant to release aromatic flavors.
- Return Chicken to the Skillet: Place the chicken back on top of the sweet potatoes. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let everything cook together for about 8-10 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and sweet potatoes are tender.
- Optional – Add Greens: If using spinach or kale, stir it in now and cook until just wilted, adding freshness and nutrients.
Notes
- Dice sweet potatoes evenly for uniform cooking.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure a crispy sear on the chicken.
- Cover the skillet while simmering to keep everything moist and ensure thorough cooking.
- Use fresh herbs for brighter flavor compared to dried.
- Let the chicken rest briefly after cooking to allow juices to redistribute for tenderness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: chicken, sweet potato, skillet, one-pan meal, healthy, quick dinner, gluten free