Looking for a healthy, one-pan chicken sweet potato recipe that your whole family will actually love? I’m sharing my favorite 30-minute skillet meal. This easy recipe combines tender chicken, savory garlic, and fresh asparagus for a nutritious weeknight dinner that makes cleanup a total breeze.
Hi there! I’m Angela. Between raising three kids here in sunny Florida and satisfying my wanderlust, I’ve spent plenty of time hunting for that “perfect” weekday meal. You know the one? It needs to be healthy, fast, and (most importantly) not leave you with a mountain of dishes.
I’m so excited to share this chicken sweet potato recipe with you today. It’s a staple in my house because it hits all the right notes.
It’s colorful, filling, and has just enough of a spicy kick to keep things interesting. Plus, it’s all made in one single skillet. Doesn’t that sound like a dream for a busy Tuesday night? Let’s grab a cup of coffee and dive into the details together.
Table of contents
The Essentials for Your Chicken Sweet Potato Recipe
To get started, you’ll need a few fresh basics. I always try to buy organic when I can, especially for the veggies.
- Chicken Breast: One pound is perfect. Cut it into bite-sized pieces so it cooks evenly and stays juicy.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Just a tablespoon to get that beautiful golden sear on your protein.
- Fresh Garlic: Use three cloves. Trust me, the smell of garlic hitting a hot pan is the best part of the day!
- Medium Sweet Potato: Peel it and dice it into small cubes. These provide great complex carbohydrates for energy.
- Chicken Broth: Half a cup helps steam the potatoes. You can use water, but broth adds so much more depth.
- Fresh Asparagus: Half a pound, cut on a diagonal. It adds a lovely crunch and a pop of green.
- The Spices: You’ll need fine sea salt, cracked black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes for that signature heat.
Tasty Swaps and Additional Ingredients
One of the things I love most about cooking is making a recipe your own. Do you have some extra veggies in the crisper drawer? Toss them in!
If you aren’t a fan of asparagus, green beans make a wonderful substitute. They hold up well to the heat and keep that nice snap. However, if you are looking for a more “bowl-style” meal prep option with grains or different seasonings, you might also love these chicken and sweet potato bowls for your weekly lunch rotation.
Want a bit more color? Throw in some diced red bell peppers during the last few minutes. It adds a natural sweetness that balances the crushed red pepper beautifully.
If you’re feeling fancy, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving brightens the whole dish. Or, if my kids are home, I might sprinkle a little parmesan cheese on top. It’s all about what makes your family happy!
Expert Tips for the Best Chicken Sweet Potato Recipe
After making this dish dozens of times, I’ve picked up a few tricks to make it turn out perfectly every single time.
First, size matters when it comes to your potatoes. Try to dice them into small, uniform cubes, about half an inch thick. If they are too big, they’ll take forever to soften, and your chicken might get lonely waiting!
Second, don’t skip the lid! Covering the pan when you add the broth is the secret to a fast chicken sweet potato recipe. The steam does all the heavy lifting, making the potatoes tender in record time.
Third, let’s talk about that skillet. Use a heavy-bottomed pan if you have one. It distributes heat more evenly, so you don’t end up with burnt garlic and raw chicken.
Finally, don’t be afraid of the red pepper flakes. If you want a milder, more indulgent flavor profile instead of the spicy kick, you could swap the diced potatoes for these creamy garlic sauce baby potatoes. Is there anything better than a meal that warms the soul?
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken into small, uniform pieces. Season them well with salt and pepper so the flavor is baked right in from the start.
- Sauté the Protein
Heat your olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. Toss in the chicken and minced garlic, stirring well for about 7 to 10 minutes until golden.
- Steam the Sweet Potatoes
Move the chicken to a plate for a moment. In that same pan, add your diced sweet potatoes and the chicken broth, then cover it with a lid.
- Cook Until Tender
Let those potatoes simmer for about 7 to 10 minutes. You want them to be fork-tender but not falling apart into mashed potatoes.
- Add the Asparagus
Toss in your asparagus pieces. Let them cook for about 4 or 5 minutes until they turn a vibrant green and feel tender to the bite.
- Recombine and Season
Slide the chicken back into the pan. Give it a good stir to mix everything together, then add your salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Additional Cooking Guide and Variations
If you’re looking to change things up, you can try a “Mediterranean twist.” Use the same base chicken but serve it alongside some pita and tzatziki for a greek chicken gyro bowl feel. It’s like a vacation on a plate!
For those who love a bit of crunch, try toasted pecans or walnuts. Sprinkle them over the finished chicken sweet potato recipe for a lovely texture contrast that feels very gourmet.
If you are meal prepping for the week, this recipe is a total champion. It stays fresh in the fridge for about three days. Just add a tiny splash of water before reheating to keep the chicken from drying out.
Have you ever tried roasting the sweet potatoes instead? If you have more time, roasting them at 400 degrees first gives them a caramelized flavor that is absolutely out of this world.
FAQs
How healthy is a recipe with chicken, sweet potato, and pumpkin?
This combination is incredibly nutrient-dense and balanced for a clean-eating lifestyle.
Chicken breast provides high-quality, lean protein essential for muscle repair.
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates and Vitamin A.
Adding pumpkin (or using it as a variation) provides extra dietary fiber and antioxidants while keeping the calorie count low.
What chicken recipe goes well with sweet potatoes?
– One-Pan Skillets: As seen in this recipe, sautéing chicken with garlic and olive oil creates a savory base that complements the natural sugars in the potatoes.
– Roasted Sheet Pan Dinners: Tossing chicken thighs and diced sweet potatoes in rosemary and olive oil is a classic, hands-off pairing.
– Grain Bowls: Making chicken and sweet potato bowls with a base of quinoa or brown rice is a great way to meal prep this duo.
– Zesty Stir-frys: Using high heat to sear the chicken and potatoes with crushed red pepper provides a bold, spicy contrast to the sweet vegetables.
Conclusion
I truly hope this chicken sweet potato recipe becomes a regular guest at your dinner table. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. It’s about the love you put into the pan and the people you share the results with.
Whether you’re cooking for a house full of kids or just enjoying a quiet night in, this meal is a reminder that healthy eating can be delicious. It’s fast, it’s fresh, and it’s full of heart.
Thank you so much for spending a bit of your day with me here in my kitchen. It means the world to share these recipes with a friend like you. Don’t forget to let the flavors settle for a minute before serving, and maybe pour yourself a glass of something nice while you eat!
One-Pan Garlic Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe
Equipment
- Large Skillet with Lid
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast cut into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium sweet potato peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
- 1/2 pound fresh asparagus cut at a diagonal into 1 and 2-inch pieces
Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into small pieces, and season with salt and pepper.
- In a skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil, garlic, and chicken. Sauté for about 7-10 minutes or until cooked through. Stir well and set chicken aside.
- In the same skillet, add the diced sweet potatoes and chicken broth. Cover the pan with a lid immediately to help the sweet potato cook quickly.
- Cook covered for about 7-10 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender.
- Add the asparagus and cook uncovered for about 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Return the chicken to the pan and stir to combine thoroughly. Season with fine sea salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper.