Sweet Potato Chicken Bake
Enjoy all the flavors of fall in one simple dish with this easy sweet potato chicken bake! Packed with hearty potatoes and juicy chicken and topped with a sweet and smoky paprika maple glaze, this delicious dinner is going to be your new favorite dish. Just mix up the ingredients and pop it in the oven to have a filling meal on the table in under 40 minutes.
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Reasons You'll Fall in Love with This Sweet Potato Chicken Bake
This Sweet Potato Chicken Bake combines hearty sweet potatoes and juicy chicken, all topped with a sweet and smoky paprika maple glaze. It's a one-pan wonder that's sure to become a new family favorite. Read on to discover the top reasons why this dish will earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.
- It's Incredibly Easy to Make: One of the best things about this recipe is its simplicity. You don't need any special cooking skills to create a restaurant-quality meal. The process is as straightforward as it gets: just combine boneless, skinless chicken breast and chopped sweet potatoes, toss them with a simple glaze, and pop it all in the oven.
- The Flavor Combination is Unbeatable: This dish is a masterclass in flavor balance. The natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes is perfectly complemented by a glaze made from maple syrup, minced garlic, paprika, and onion powder. This creates a delightful sweet and smoky taste that infuses both the chicken and the potatoes.
- It's Made with Simple, wholesome Ingredients: Forget long, complicated grocery lists. This recipe relies on basic pantry staples you likely already have on hand. All you need is chicken, sweet potatoes, olive oil, maple syrup, garlic, and a few common spices like paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- It's Perfect for Meal Prep and Leftovers: This Sweet Potato Chicken Bake is just as delicious the next day, making it an ideal choice for meal prepping. You can bake a large batch on Sunday and have ready-to-go lunches for the week. The flavors actually meld and deepen overnight, so your leftovers are anything but boring.
- It's a One-Pan Wonder for Easy Cleanup: If your least favorite part of cooking is the cleanup, you'll adore this recipe. Everything cooks together in a single baking dish, which means you won't be left with a sink full of pots and pans. Just line your baking sheet with parchment paper for an even easier cleanup.
What Do I Need to Make This Sweet Potato Chicken Bake?
Everyone at the table will love the sweet and smoky combination of ingredients in this delicious casserole! Simply combine these basic supplies to prepare a hearty meal perfect for the fall season.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Sweet potatoes
- Olive oil
- Maple syrup
- Garlic cloves
- Paprika
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Fresh parsley for garnish
How Do I Make This Sweet Potato Chicken Bake?
Even though this easy dinner is packed with flavor, it's surprisingly simple to make! Just follow these three quick and easy instructions and you'll have this delicious dinner on the table in no time.
Step One: Marinate the Chicken
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and take the time to marinate your chicken for the best flavor. Combine the chopped chicken with 1 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, minced garlic, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Toss to coat all the pieces of chicken in the seasoning, then cover and allow to rest for at least 15 minutes.
Step Two: Season the Sweet Potatoes
Arrange the sweet potatoes in an even layer in the bottom of your baking dish. Drizzle the remaining olive oil and maple syrup over the top of the potatoes, then sprinkle with the remaining paprika, onion powder, salt and pepper. Toss to coat all the pieces evenly in seasoning.
Step Three: Bake the Meal
Add the marinated chicken to the baking dish, then place the pan in the oven to bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes. You'll know the casserole is ready when the chicken is cooked through with an internal temperature of 165 degrees and the sweet potatoes are tender. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
How Do You Store Sweet Potato Chicken Bake?
The sweet and savory flavors of this easy casserole are sure to be a hit with everyone the family. But if they don't gobble it all up, you can store the leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It will stay good for up to four days.
You can reheat the leftovers in the microwave or in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until heated through.
Sweet Potato Chicken Bake Recipe Ideas
This delicious sweet potato chicken casserole is a quick and easy fall dinner that's sure to satisfy your family! And the best part is that it's easily customizable. Try these baking and substitution ideas to create a delicious meal for your family tonight.
- Spice it up. Since this recipe is seasoned with sweet and savory flavors, it features a mild flavor perfect for any age. But if you want to spice things up, you can toss a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper into the chicken marinade or on top of the sweet potatoes.
- Stir in more veggies. This flavorful casserole is easy to customize by adding your family's favorite vegetables to the mix. Keep in mind that the sweet potatoes and chicken are tossed with a sweet addition - maple syrup. So, you'll want to add extra veggies that pair well with that added sweetness, like brussels sprouts, green beans, broccoli, baby carrots, cauliflower, or beets.
- Make it with chicken thighs. If your family isn't a fan of chicken breast, you can easily swap in chicken thighs instead. Keep in mind that you may need to adjust the cook time because chicken thighs typically take longer to cook through.
- Add more protein. In addition to mixing in some extra veggies, you can also add more protein to your meal by tossing in more meat. Try adding some sliced sausage or crumbled bacon to your dish to round out your meal.
- Make it crispy. If you prefer your sweet potatoes have a crispy exterior, turn the broiler on before removing the dish from the oven. Allow the casserole to cook under the broiler for 4 to 5 minutes, until the vegetables begin to brown.
Can I Make This Chicken and Sweet Potato Bake Ahead of Time?
Yes! There are couple of different ways you can prep your dinner in advance, depending on how much time you have. Try these make-ahead prep ideas as you're putting your meal together:
- Marinate the chicken. One quick and easy way to prep the meal in advance is to cut and marinate the chicken ahead of time. Place the chicken pieces in the bag and store them in the fridge for up to one day before baking.
- Store it in the fridge. You can also prep the entire casserole up to one day in advance and keep it in the fridge. Store the chicken separately from the potatoes to allow them to marinate.
- Freeze it. After baking your casserole, you can store it in the freezer for more long-term storage. Allow the dish to cool completely, then cover the dish or transfer the ingredients to a freezer-safe container. The casserole can be frozen for up to three months. When you're ready to bake your chicken and sweet potatoes, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before cooking.
Perfect Side Dishes to Serve with Sweet Potato Chicken Bake
There's something magical about the combination of sweet potatoes and chicken glazed with maple syrup and smoky paprika. This hearty fall dish brings together all the cozy flavors of the season in one simple, 40-minute meal. But while your sweet potato chicken bake is undoubtedly the star of the show, choosing the right side dishes can elevate your dinner from good to absolutely unforgettable. Check out these great side dish ideas!
- Fresh Green Salad with Cranberries and Pecans: A crisp, refreshing salad provides the perfect contrast to the rich, caramelized flavors of your sweet potato chicken bake. The combination of mixed greens, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and a light vinaigrette creates a beautiful balance of textures and flavors that cuts through the dish's natural sweetness.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon: Brussels sprouts have experienced a remarkable renaissance in recent years, and for good reason. When roasted until crispy and caramelized, they develop a nutty, slightly sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with the maple glaze on your chicken bake. Adding crispy bacon bits takes this side dish to the next level.
- Garlic Herb Dinner Rolls: Nothing says comfort food like warm, pillowy dinner rolls fresh from the oven. The mild garlic and herb flavors won't compete with your sweet potato chicken bake, but they'll provide a satisfying way to soak up every drop of that delicious maple paprika glaze.
- Roasted Carrots: Carrots naturally pair with sweet potatoes, sharing similar earthy sweetness while adding vibrant color to your plate.
- Steamed Broccoli with Lemon: Sometimes the simplest sides are the most effective. Bright green steamed broccoli with a squeeze of fresh lemon provides a clean, fresh element that allows the complex flavors of your sweet potato chicken bake to shine while adding important nutrients to your meal.
Create Your Perfect Fall Feast
Your sweet potato chicken bake deserves sides that enhance its cozy, fall flavors without competing for attention. Whether you choose one standout side or create a full spread with several of these options, you'll have a meal that captures the essence of autumn comfort food. The beauty of this versatile main dish is that it pairs well with both simple steamed vegetables and more elaborate sides, giving you the flexibility to match your menu to the occasion and your energy level. Try mixing and matching these suggestions to discover your family's favorite combination.
Sweet Potato Chicken Bake
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast cut into chunks
- 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cut into wedges or chunks
- 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 ½ tablespoons maple syrup divided
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon paprika divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder divided
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley minced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl or zip-top bag, combine chicken with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, minced garlic, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Toss to coat and let marinate for at least 15 minutes while prepping the potatoes, or overnight.
- Add sweet potatoes to a baking dish. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and maple syrup, then sprinkle with remaining seasonings. Toss to coat evenly.
- Add marinated chicken to the baking dish, spreading it evenly over the potatoes.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through with an internal temperature of 165F and sweet potatoes are tender.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
• Boneless chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts.
• Add a pinch of cayenne for a little extra heat.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3-4days.
Nutrition
