Spicy Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

4 servings Prep: 10 m Cook: 35 m Total: 45 m Beginner
5.0/5 (2)
Spicy Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
I came up with this combination as a weekday after work, something good in a hurry - What’s in the kitchen moment. It’s a healthy and surprisingly tasty dish with chicken breasts and sweet potatoes cooked together in a cast iron skillet with Cajun seasonings.

Ingredients

4 servings
  • 4 medium frozen skinless chicken breasts
  • 3 medium sweet potatoes peeled & diced in one inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Tony Chacheres Original Creole Seasoning

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-low heat.
  2. Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Place the olive oil in the skillet first. Scatter the sweet potatoes around in the bottom of the skillet. Dust the potatoes with Chacheres or any Cajun Blend Seasoning.
  3. Place the frozen chicken breasts on top of the sweet potatoes. Dust the top of the chicken with the seasoning.
  4. Cover the skillet and cook for approximately 35 minutes total. Check every 8-10 minutes, turning the chicken breasts over each time and moving the sweet potatoes around. Leave the chicken on top of the sweet potatoes. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F when done.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Can I use fresh chicken instead of frozen?

A: Yes, but reduce the cook time to about 25-30 minutes. Fresh chicken will cook faster than frozen, so start checking at 20 minutes to avoid overcooking.

Q: My sweet potatoes are burning on the bottom. What should I do?

A: Make sure you're using medium-low heat, not medium or high. The sweet potatoes release moisture as they cook, but if your heat is too high they'll scorch. You can also add a tablespoon of water if needed.

Tips and Techniques

The sweet potatoes will release moisture as they cook, creating steam that helps cook the frozen chicken breasts. Don’t skip the step of moving the potatoes around every 8-10 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • frozen chicken breasts: fresh chicken breasts
  • sweet potatoes: regular potatoes or butternut squash
  • Tony Chacheres Original Creole Seasoning: any Cajun seasoning blend or make your own with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper

Equipment Needed

  • cast iron skillet (essential for this recipe)
  • lid for skillet
  • meat thermometer (to check chicken doneness)