One Pan Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet

Imagine the sizzle of juicy chicken thighs mingling with caramelized sweet potatoes in a single skillet, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. This One Pan Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet is the ultimate weeknight dinner solution that doesn’t sacrifice flavor for convenience. The combination of tender chicken, naturally sweet potatoes, and aromatic herbs creates a satisfying meal that feels both nourishing and indulgent. You’ll learn how to perfectly time each component so everything finishes cooking at the same moment, resulting in a harmonious dish that’s as simple as it is delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The One Pan Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet deserves a permanent spot in your dinner rotation for so many reasons. First, the cleanup is minimal – just one pan to wash means more time enjoying your evening and less time scrubbing dishes. The contrasting textures are absolutely divine: crispy-skinned chicken against the tender, caramelized sweet potatoes creates a sensory experience in every bite.

The flavor profile strikes a perfect balance between savory and sweet, with the chicken’s rich juices infusing the sweet potatoes as they cook together. This skillet dinner is also incredibly versatile – it’s elegant enough for company but simple enough for a Tuesday night. For busy parents and professionals, this chicken sweet potato recipe can be prepped ahead and comes together in about 30 minutes of active cooking time.

Health-conscious eaters will appreciate that this meal delivers lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and numerous vitamins in one satisfying dish – proving that nutritious food can also be crave-worthy.

Ingredients

For this One Pan Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet, you’ll need:

• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6 thighs)
• 2 large sweet potatoes (about 1½ pounds), cut into ¾-inch cubes
• 1 medium red onion, sliced into half-moons
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or ¾ teaspoon dried)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
• Lemon wedges, for serving

The sweet potatoes should be firm with vibrant orange flesh for the best flavor and texture. For the chicken, thighs are recommended as they remain juicy and tender during the cooking process, but chicken breasts will work if you prefer white meat in your chicken sweet potato dish.

Pro Tips

Achieve Perfect Browning: The key to this One Pan Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet is proper browning. Don’t overcrowd your pan – this is crucial! Work in batches if necessary, giving each piece of chicken enough space to develop that golden crust. If pieces are too close together, they’ll steam rather than sear, resulting in bland flavor and soggy texture. A hot pan is your friend here – wait until your oil is shimmering before adding the chicken.

Master the Timing: Sweet potatoes and chicken have different cooking times, which is why we stagger their introduction to the skillet. Par-cook the sweet potatoes first, remove them, then sear the chicken. When you combine them again, the sweet potatoes will finish cooking just as the chicken reaches perfection. This prevents the frustrating scenario of perfectly cooked chicken but undercooked sweet potatoes (or worse, perfect potatoes but dry chicken).

Season in Layers: Rather than adding all seasonings at once, build flavor in stages. Season the chicken and sweet potatoes separately before cooking, then add aromatic herbs toward the end of cooking to prevent burning. This creates a depth of flavor that makes this one pan dinner taste like it took hours to prepare, when in reality it’s a quick and simple chicken skillet recipe.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Begin by patting your chicken thighs dry with paper towels – this is essential for achieving that gorgeous golden sear. Season both sides generously with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. In a small bowl, combine the rosemary, thyme, garlic, paprika, cumin, and cayenne (if using). Set aside half of this spice mixture for later. Toss the sweet potato cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, the remaining ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and half of the spice mixture until evenly coated.

Step 2: Par-cook the Sweet Potatoes

Heat a large 12-inch cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and when shimmering, add the seasoned sweet potatoes in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until the bottoms develop a golden crust. Stir and continue cooking for another 5 minutes until they’re partially cooked but still firm in the center. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, place the chicken thighs presentation-side down in the pan, being careful not to overcrowd. Cook for 5-6 minutes until deeply golden, then flip and cook for another 2 minutes. The chicken won’t be fully cooked yet – that’s intentional!

Step 4: Combine and Finish

Reduce heat to medium and add the sliced red onions around the chicken. Cook for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften. Return the partially cooked sweet potatoes to the pan, tucking them between the chicken pieces. Sprinkle everything with the remaining spice mixture and drizzle with the maple syrup or honey. Cover the skillet and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the sweet potatoes are fork-tender.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Remove the skillet from heat and let everything rest for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top. The bright acidity of the lemon perfectly balances the rich, savory flavors of this One Pan Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet.

Variations

Mediterranean Twist: Transform your One Pan Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet with Mediterranean flavors by adding 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives, and 2 teaspoons dried oregano instead of the rosemary and thyme. Finish with crumbled feta cheese and fresh lemon zest after cooking. This variation brightens the dish with tangy, briny notes that complement the sweet potatoes beautifully.

Spicy Southwest Version: For those who enjoy heat, create a southwest-inspired chicken and sweet potato dish by swapping the herb blend for 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and ½ teaspoon dried oregano. Add a diced bell pepper along with the onions, and finish with black beans and diced avocado. A squeeze of lime juice and fresh cilantro complete this vibrant variation.

Autumn Harvest: Embrace seasonal flavors by adding 1 diced apple and ¼ cup dried cranberries to the skillet during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Replace the spice blend with 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon fresh sage. This version makes the sweet potato skillet recipe perfect for fall dinners or as a unique Thanksgiving side dish.

Storage and Serving

This One Pan Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet stores beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors actually improve overnight as the spices continue to meld. Reheat gently in a covered skillet with a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture, or microwave at 70% power to prevent the chicken from becoming tough.

For freezing, cool completely then store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serve this vibrant skillet meal over a bed of baby spinach, letting the heat gently wilt the greens for an extra serving of vegetables. For a heartier option, pair it with quinoa or brown rice to soak up the flavorful pan juices. My favorite way to serve this dish is family-style, bringing the entire skillet to the table with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette on the side – the peppery greens provide a perfect contrast to the sweet and savory main dish.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts in this One Pan Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet. Since breasts are leaner than thighs, reduce the initial searing time to 4 minutes per side and be extra vigilant about internal temperature to avoid overcooking. Consider cutting larger breasts in half horizontally for more even cooking.

Why are my sweet potatoes burning before they’re cooked through?
If your sweet potatoes are charring on the outside but remaining firm inside, they’re likely cut too large. Aim for ¾-inch cubes for optimal cooking. Also, try lowering your heat slightly and adding 2-3 tablespoons of chicken broth or water when you return them to the pan with the chicken.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prep all ingredients up to 24 hours in advance. Store seasoned chicken and precut sweet potatoes separately in the refrigerator, then proceed with cooking when ready. The complete dish reheats beautifully as mentioned in the storage section.

What’s the best pan to use?
A 12-inch cast iron skillet is ideal for this recipe because it retains heat evenly and creates excellent browning. However, any large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven will work well for this chicken skillet recipe.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this One Pan Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet is naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. Just be sure to check your spice blends for anti-caking agents if you’re using pre-mixed varieties.

Conclusion

This One Pan Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet is comfort food at its finest — wholesome, satisfying, and bursting with flavor in every bite. It’s the kind of dish that transforms an ordinary weeknight into a special dinner, bringing together nourishing ingredients in a harmony of tastes and textures. The beauty lies in its simplicity: minimal cleanup, accessible ingredients, and straightforward techniques that deliver restaurant-quality results. Whether you’re cooking for a family or meal prepping for the week ahead, this skillet recipe proves that delicious, nutritious meals don’t require complicated methods or endless hours in the kitchen. Give this One Pan Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet a try tonight — your taste buds (and whoever you’re serving) will thank you.

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