This Chili Lime Sweet Potato and Chicken Skillet recipe is a healthy one pan dinner recipe with delicious Southwestern flavor. Serve with a dollop of yogurt and a squeeze of lime!
When it comes to easy dinners, one pan meals are where it's at! Not only do they cook quickly and efficiently, but the clean up is so easy as well.
Our favorite one pan meals include this Enchilada Sweet Potato Skillet, this Winter One Pan Chicken and Veggies, and today's chili lime sweet potato and chicken skillet.
This reader favorite recipe packs in so much flavor for so little effort, and is perfect for loading up with your favorite toppings!
Reasons you'll โก this chicken skillet
- it's gluten-free and dairy-free
- it is a complete one pan meal
- perfect for meal prepping - although I do not recommend freezing!
Recipe video
Wondering how this skillet comes together? This one-minute video will show you how easy it is to prepare! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel.
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Which ingredients do we need?
- Chicken - boneless, skinless breasts work best
- Veggies - sweet potatoes, red and yellow bell peppers, and red onion, plus lime zest
- Canned - use canned black beans or make your own perfect black beans at home
- Stock - use store-bought chicken stock or make a batch ofย homemade bone broth
- Spices - chili powder, ground cumin, salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Toppings - shredded cheese, cilantro leaves, lime wedges, Greek yogurt or sour cream, avocado [See tips for properly cutting an avocado, and not your hand!], and tortilla chips
Meal prep tips
Here are some tips to make prep go smoothly:
- sweet potatoes- make sure you cut them small- ยฝ to ยพ inch cubes
- prep ahead- while you can chop the chicken, bell peppers & onion ahead and measure out the spices, it's best to chop the sweet potatoes fresh so they don't harden
- leftovers- you can also use this recipe for meal prep by cooking ahead and reheating through the week.
- storage- store in the fridge for up to 4 days.ย I do not recommend freezing.
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Can I make this recipe vegetarian / vegan?
Definitely! Omit the chicken and substitute vegetable broth for the chicken stock. You can double the recipe's black beans or try adding a can of chickpeas to add extra protein, if you like.
For another tasty vegan one pan dish, try this Vegan Moroccan Chickpea Skillet.
Is this recipe paleo?
You can easily make this paleo by omitting black beans.
What do you recommend serving with this?
This recipe is alllll about the toppings! Here are some of our faves:
- sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- shredded cheese
- cilantro leaves
- avocado or guacamole
- salsa or hot sauce
- tortilla chips for scooping
More skillet recipes
- Healthy Chicken Skillet with Cajun Potatoes and Veggies
- 19 Healthy Skillet Dinners
- Easy Balsamic Chicken Skillet with Tomatoes & Tarragon
- One Pan Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apples
- One Pan Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Check out my shop for my favorite slow cooker, meal prep containers, and freezer equipment!
Note: This recipe was originally posted in 2015. It has been republished with fresh photos, tips and a new video in 2020.
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Chili Lime Sweet Potato and Chicken Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (roughly 2 large chicken breasts; cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 4 cups sweet potato cubes (cut into 1-cm (ยฝ inch) cubes; approximately 1 large or 2 smaller sweet potatoes)
- 2 bell peppers (cut into ยฝ inch pieces)
- 1 red onion (1 small onion or ยฝ large onion; diced)
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ยผ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 1 can black beans drained (540mL/18 oz)
To serve
- shredded cheddar cheese
- cilantro leaves
- lime wedges
- greek yogurt or sour cream
- avocado
- tortilla chips
Instructions
- In a large skillet or pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken, and cook until no longer pink in the middle (roughly 8-10 minutes).
- Remove the chicken from the pan and place on a clean plate.
- Add the sweet potato, bell peppers, red onion, chili powder, cumin, salt, chicken stock and lime zest.
- Cover and bring to a simmer. Simmer (covered) for 15-20 minutes, stirring 2-3 times, until sweet potatoes are soft and cooked through. If the pan becomes dry, add more chicken stock.
- Add the black beans and cooked chicken breast, and cook 2 or so minutes until heated through.
- Serve with suggested toppings.
Storage
- Leftovers may be stored in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 4 days.
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Tips:
Video
Nutrition Information
© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
original photo from the 2015 post!
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
This skillet meal looks delicious! I am crazy about chili lime flavors and anything with sweet potatoes. I need to try this ASAP! Gorgeous!
Denise says
Thanks so much, Chelsea! I am a huge sweet potato addict ๐
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
I love that this isn't just another one-pot pasta dish! (As much as I LOVE one-pot pastas!) So super creative!
Denise says
Thanks, Ashley! I was definitely feeling like something a little different than pasta ๐
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
I think I'm kinda lazy most of the time, but let's blame Summer ๐ This looks like such a tasty dinner. I love skillet meals!
Denise says
OK, well I'm secretly lazy year-round, but I like to have an excuse like summer ๐ Thanks, Andi!
Harriet Emily says
I LOVE one pot dishes - they are the best way to cook! I just can't wash up, I'm so terrible at it that every time I try to, my whole household complains (but at least it stops me from having to do it so much mwahaha). Therefore, I always try to cook as many things in the same pot as possible!!! This looks like the perfect dish for me, the flavours sound sooo delicious and refreshing. Of course the fact that its one pot is perfect! I definitely need to make this!
Denise says
I should try doing a bad job at the dishes sometime and see if Ben will take over...ha! Thanks, Harriet!
Felicity @ Lemonade Wise says
Mmm this looks delicious; it's nice to find new ways to use black beans as I'm a huge fan of them atm. But could I add some kind of sauce? It looks a little dry.
Denise says
Hi Felicity, we didn't find it dry at all, but if you wanted to add something to it, you could serve it with some Greek yogurt or sour cream? I wouldn't add a sauce, though, that might completely change the flavors.
Shelley says
We added a dollop of greek yogurt and it brought out the flavors really well. Also we used extra chicken stock, so it was def on the juicy side!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
Yes! Summer seriously makes me SO lazy and the last place I want to be is in the kitchen! This skillet is literally calling my name! Sweet potatoes ALL THE THINGS.
Denise says
Yeah! Sweet potatoes are my middle name ๐
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
There is so much about this meal that I love...chili lime flavors, sweet potatoes, and one pot!!
Denise says
Thanks, Jaren! Nothing better than one pot, right?
Danielle says
I keep seeing so much dinner inspiration for next week and this is going on my list too! This looks perfect, Denise! You can never go wrong with one-pot meals ๐
Denise says
I am 100% with you on that one, Danielle!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
What a beautiful, summertime meal, Denise! I would happily eat this for dinner at least twice a week. ๐
Denise says
Thanks, Erin!
Ashlyn @ Belle of the Kitchen says
One pot meals are the best and I'm loving all the gorgeous colors and flavors in here! And I agree with you; summer should always be about deck lounging! ๐
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says
I love the contrast of the spicy chicken and the sweet potatoes. This looks like the perfect lazy day meal!
Denise says
Thanks, Shelby!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
I am obsessed with anything lime and anything spicy! This is such a great and flavorful summer meal ๐
Denise says
Thanks, Medha! It didn't end up being too spicy, but you could definitely add some hot sauce or red pepper flakes.
Justine | Cooking and Beer says
First and foremost, I will 100% be stealing your sound for beer opening. That just made my day. ๐ Second of all, I love simple dishes like this for summer! Pinning immediately!
Denise says
Ha ha!! I re-read it like 5 times and thought maybe I sounded crazy, but if YOU approve, then it must sound real! Thanks, Justine!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
One pot fast and easy dinners are where it's at in the summer - lounging on the deck with the kiddos is definitely more important than cooking, cleaning and laundry! Totally with you on that! This skillet looks fantastic, I love all the colours!
Denise says
I'm glad you agree with me, Stacey! Thanks ๐
Michelle @ Blackberry Babe says
This looks wonderful! So healthy and I always love a one pan meal. Pinned for later!
Denise says
Thanks, Michelle! One pan meals are just the best!
Annie @Maebells says
Holy Moly! This looks so good! And so darn pretty! Kind of like eating a rainbow! ๐
Denise says
Taste the rainbow! The non-skittles kind ๐
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Today is the first day it's been so warm I wore flip flops instead of tennis shoes. Hurray! Love this skillet dinner. Such great flavors! And the less clean up, the better!
Denise says
I love flip flop season! I need a new pair though. Thanks, Natalie!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
This looks awesome, and so flavorful with the spices! I'm obsessed with sweet potatoes in anything. We tried growing some this year, but so far they aren't doing too well. I'm still holding out hope, though!
Denise says
I'm totally obsessed with sweet potatoes! I wish I could grow them! Where do they even grow? I feel like I should know that. I hope your sweet potatoes grow, Jess, I can't even imagine how amazing fresh sweet potatoes would taste!
Sam @ SugarSpunRun says
I love one pot dishes, and I love how healthy this is! Plus it looks amazing! ๐
Denise says
Thanks, Sam! One pot meals are where it's at ๐
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I definitely feel more lazy in the summer too in terms of housework...that can definitely wait! I'm loving this skillet, Denise! Such a great idea to flavor the chicken with zesty spices and add in sweet potatoes. Sounds like the perfect easy meal!
Denise says
I always think of that song 'summer time, and the living's easy'...that's my motto in the summer ๐ Thanks, Gayle!