Spicy Chicken Sweet Potato Bowls

This spicy chicken and sweet potato bowl recipe has been my weekday meal prep savior for years. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal active cooking time, you'll have delicious, healthy meals ready for the entire week in under an hour.

I first discovered this recipe during a particularly busy work season when I needed healthy lunches but had zero time to cook daily. My colleagues kept asking what I was eating, and now several of them make these bowls regularly too!

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts: Lean protein that takes on flavors beautifully; choose organic if possible
• Spicy seasoning mix: Creates the perfect flavor balance without complicated ingredient lists
• Olive oil: Helps chicken stay juicy and vegetables roast properly; use extra virgin for best flavor
• Sweet potatoes: Adds natural sweetness and complex carbs; look for firm ones with vibrant orange flesh
• Broccoli florets: Adds nutrition and texture; broccolini offers a slightly sweeter flavor if available
• Sea salt and pepper: Essential for bringing out all the flavors; always use freshly ground when possible
• Toppings: Avocado, hummus, lemon juice, chives, and extra olive oil take these bowls to the next level

Step-by-Step Instructions

Marinate the chicken:

Cut chicken into evenly sized small pieces, about 1 inch cubes for quick cooking. Combine with your favorite spicy seasoning mix and a light drizzle of olive oil. Allow to rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes; this gives you time to prep vegetables and allows flavors to penetrate the meat.

Prepare the vegetables:

Peel sweet potatoes and dice into 1/2 inch cubes, keeping size consistent for even cooking. Cut or separate broccoli into florets of similar size. Arrange on separate sheet pans because they have different cooking times. Drizzle with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.

Roast everything:

Place all pans in a preheated 425°F oven. The chicken and broccoli will cook faster, taking about 12 to 15 minutes. Sweet potatoes need additional time, approximately 15 more minutes until fork tender and slightly caramelized at the edges.

Assemble and store:

Divide all components evenly between meal prep containers. You can mix everything together or keep ingredients separate depending on preference. Allow to cool completely before sealing containers for maximum freshness.

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Sweet potatoes are my secret weapon in this recipe. Not only do they provide complex carbs for sustained energy, but their natural sweetness perfectly balances the spicy chicken. My partner who claimed to hate sweet potatoes now requests these bowls regularly, proving that proper preparation can change anyone's food preferences.

Storage Tips

These meal prep bowls will stay fresh in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. For best quality, store any additional toppings like avocado or hummus separately and add just before eating. If freezing portions, omit the broccoli as it can become mushy upon thawing. Frozen portions will maintain quality for up to 2 months.

Customization Options

This recipe serves as an excellent template that can be modified countless ways. Swap sweet potatoes for butternut squash or regular potatoes. Replace broccoli with green beans, asparagus, or bell peppers. The spice blend can be changed to suit your preferences, from Mexican-inspired with cumin and chili powder to Mediterranean with oregano and lemon pepper. For vegetarian versions, substitute the chicken with chickpeas or firm tofu.

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Reheating Guide

For the best texture when reheating, microwave portions for 1 to 2 minutes or until just heated through. Overheating can dry out the chicken. Another excellent option is reheating in a skillet with a splash of broth or water to maintain moisture. If eating at work, these bowls are actually delicious at room temperature, especially with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice added just before eating.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Recipe

→ Can I substitute the chicken in this meal prep recipe?

Absolutely! While chicken works beautifully with these flavors, you can substitute with tofu, tempeh, turkey, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian option. Just adjust cooking times accordingly - tofu may need less time than chicken, while chickpeas can be roasted for about the same duration.

→ What kind of spicy seasoning mix works best?

A cajun seasoning blend works wonderfully, but you can also use taco seasoning, blackened seasoning, or make your own with paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano. Adjust the heat level to your preference by controlling the amount of cayenne or chili powder.

→ How long will these meal prep bowls stay fresh in the refrigerator?

These bowls will stay fresh in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. For best results, store any fresh toppings like avocado separately and add them just before eating. You can also freeze portions for up to 3 months.

→ What are some other vegetables I could include?

This meal prep method works wonderfully with many vegetables. Try bell peppers, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips, or zucchini. Just be mindful of cooking times - dense vegetables like carrots will need longer roasting times similar to sweet potatoes, while tender vegetables like zucchini should be added later.

→ How can I make this meal prep lower in carbs?

To reduce carbs, replace some or all of the sweet potatoes with additional non-starchy vegetables like cauliflower, bell peppers, or zucchini. You could also use half the amount of sweet potatoes and add more broccoli or other low-carb vegetables to maintain volume and satiety.

→ What are some serving suggestions for these bowls?

These versatile bowls pair well with many toppings and accompaniments. Try adding a quarter avocado, a dollop of hummus, a squeeze of lemon juice, fresh herbs like chives or cilantro, a drizzle of olive oil or hot sauce, or even a spoonful of Greek yogurt. For a more complete meal, serve over quinoa, brown rice, or cauliflower rice.