Description
Satisfying comfort meets culinary delight in this chicken and sweet potato skillet, where tender chicken melds perfectly with caramelized sweet potatoes. Savory spices and one-pan simplicity make this dish a weeknight winner for hungry families seeking delicious, wholesome meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into 1-inch cubes
Vegetables:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- ½ onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional, for spice)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup chicken broth or water
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (optional, for brightness)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle with olive oil, creating a sizzling cooking surface for the protein.
- Nestle chicken pieces into the hot skillet, generously coating with a blend of aromatic spices like salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin.
- Sear the chicken for approximately 4 minutes, developing a golden-brown exterior while ensuring the meat remains partially undercooked.
- Transfer the partially cooked chicken to a temporary plate, reserving the flavorful skillet for subsequent ingredients.
- Introduce another splash of olive oil into the same skillet, creating a conducive environment for sweet potatoes and onions.
- Tumble sweet potato cubes and diced onions into the pan, allowing them to caramelize and soften over 5-6 minutes with occasional stirring.
- Enhance the vegetable medley by adding minced garlic and a hint of chili powder, then deglaze with a modest amount of chicken broth to accelerate potato tenderization.
- Cover the skillet, allowing the ingredients to steam and become fork-tender for an additional 5 minutes.
- Reintroduce the seared chicken back into the skillet, gently incorporating all components to ensure even heat distribution.
- Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes, confirming the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F/75°C.
- Elevate the dish’s brightness by squeezing fresh lime juice over the skillet’s contents.
- Conclude by scattering fresh chopped parsley or cilantro, creating a vibrant garnish that adds both color and herbal complexity.
- Serve the skillet immediately while ingredients remain piping hot and flavors are at their peak.
Notes
- Perfectly sear chicken by ensuring the skillet is hot before adding meat, creating a golden-brown exterior that locks in juicy flavors.
- Use a meat thermometer to check chicken doneness, preventing overcooking and maintaining tender, succulent texture.
- Consider using sweet potato varieties like garnet or jewel for richer color and slightly sweeter taste profile.
- Swap chicken for tofu or chickpeas to create a vegetarian-friendly version that maintains the dish’s hearty, satisfying character.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg