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!
Shaila says
This recipe was wonderful! I received some sweet potatoes from a family member and never cooked with them before. Tried it and we LOVED it! Thanks
Denise Bustard says
Hi Shaila! I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, and that you enjoyed your first sweet potato dish! Thanks so much for taking time out of your day to come back and leave a review ๐
Sarah says
This is super delicious!! Thank you so much for sharing. I used chicken sausage because I had it on hand and yuuuuuumy!
Denise says
So happy to hear you enjoyed, Sarah! I love the idea of adding sausage to this. Thanks for sharing ๐
Rob says
I am not a cook but I was able to make this dish. I even did it in a cast iron skillet. My whole family likes it. This will be a recipe that we will add to the โeven Dad can makeโ file.
Denise says
Woo hoo! So happy to hear this, Rob! Thank you for reporting back. ๐
Anamika @ Supplement Crunch says
A great way to make a chili lime chicken and sweet potato skillet
Joan G says
This is a wonderful recipe. Didn't chicken broth so used water. It didn't miss the stock. Felt it served 4 would be skimpy for 6.
Denise says
So happy you enjoyed it, Joan! Thanks so much for your feedback, and for taking the time to leave a review. XO
Whitney says
Just had this for dinner and it was yummy!!!! We had it on top of rice, and added a few squeezes of line. Delish!!!
Denise says
So happy you enjoyed! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review, Whitney ๐
Rob says
On top of rice is good addition. Will add that to the next batch.
Jonathan Page says
Going to make this later! Only cooking for 2 though, what do you think it will taste like cold/re-heated for lunch the next day?
PS... LOVE the site!
Denise says
Hi Jonathan, I have enjoyed this re-heated for lunch and it was great! I hope you enjoy it ๐
Jill says
I just made this tonight - it was amazing! I've never seen my toddler eat so much in one sitting. Definitely adding this into the rotation!
Denise says
Can your toddler come over and teach my toddler how to eat this? Ha ha! Glad you liked it Jill ๐
Hayley Grace says
This is the 1# most popular recipe in my household! I make it AT LEAST once a month and I know have the recipe memorized from making it so many times. It's so delicious and makes great leftovers, if I can get my husband to leave any!
Thank you for bringing this into my life!!
Denise says
Wow, you totally just made my day, Hayley! I'm so glad you and your family like this recipe ๐
Cindy B says
This is so good!
Made it last night.
Just happened to have all the ingredients on hand.
My whole family liked it.
My picky husband even had seconds!
Thank you for this recipe.
I will be making it again soon.
Oh, by the way it's perfect for Autumn too.
Denise says
Hi Cindy, I'm SO happy you liked it! Thanks so much for your comment ๐
Samantha Joehlin says
can you tell me how many calories this dish has?
Denise says
Hi Samantha, I've just added the nutritional information. Looks like its 375 calories or so (if you divide the pan into 6 servings).
Kayla says
Made this last night for dinner! It was AMAZING!!! My husband added some rice to his. I am totally going to make this one again! Yummy Healthy and if your into paleo it works for that as well!
Thanks for sharing
Denise says
Hi Kayla! I'm so happy to hear that you liked it! I like the idea of adding rice to it. Thanks for reporting back!
Dixie says
This was amazing!! My sweet potato hating kids even ate it...served it with a lime wedge, fresh cilantro and a dollop of fat free Greek yogurt (like sour cream). My husband said the yogurt really set it all off. Was out of chili powder so used more cumin and a bunch of smoked paprika. Made a double batch and froze single servings for later!!
Denise says
Hi Dixie! I'm so happy to hear it! We liked Greek yogurt on ours as well. I will have to try with smoked paprika! Thanks so much for reporting back ๐
Catherine Cowan says
Wow! This was so good! I wasn't sure if I was going to like it because I'm not a big lover of peppers. This was a few now pan dinner. Thank you!!
Denise says
I'm so glad you liked it, Catherine ๐ Thanks so much for reporting back!
Shelley says
Made this last night! It was super yum. I followed the recipe just as it is, and it was easy, tho a bit more time consuming. Pro tip: get your friends to come over and do the chopping and sautรฉing, and you can focus on making a salad or appetizer or dessert. ๐ Having some help with the prep made it worth the time and effort.
Denise says
So glad you liked it, Shelley! I like your tip about inviting a friend over ๐
Caroline @ chocolate & carrots says
I made this last night and it was spectacular! Thanks for the great recipe!
Denise says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Caroline! Thanks so much for reporting back ๐
Kristin says
Hi! I am looking forward to making this recipe for the first time tonight. I'm curious - do you skin your sweet potatoes before cooking them, or leave the skins on? I hate peeling vegetables (haha), but have only ever used recipes that call for peeled sweet potatoes. It doesn't look like you've done so - I could be mistaken, but I'm curious if you think it'd make a difference!
Denise says
Hey Kristin! I didn't peel my sweet potatoes...I agree, it's such a pain, plus I've read that the skin has a ton of nutrients. Let me know how you like the recipe!
Michelle { A latte Food } says
Yes! Lounging totally takes top priority over laundry! And this one pot meal just takes priority, because, umm, wow! It looks amazing!
Izzy says
I'm so intrigued by all these one pot meals! I need to get on that trend! And this one looks like something I would love! Summer is here too, but it isn't early as enjoyable as yours is sounding! I need throw some flip flops on an get some ice cream ๐
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
I lol'ed at the beer opening sound. SO accurate! I'm loving the warmer weather (...not so much the humidity though) and one-pot meals are perfect! This skillet is calling my name. ๐