Are you tired of complicated recipes with endless dishes to wash? Get ready to revolutionize your weeknight cooking with this mouthwatering One Pot Chicken Quinoa Sweet Potato Skillet that promises maximum flavor with minimal effort! This nutritious powerhouse combines tender chicken, protein-packed quinoa, and sweet, vibrant sweet potatoes in a single skillet that will have your taste buds dancing and your family begging for seconds. In just 40 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality meal that's not only incredibly delicious but also packed with wholesome ingredients that will fuel your body and delight your palate.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Healthy
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, diced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by dicing chicken breast into uniform 1-inch cubes, peeling and cutting sweet potatoes into similar-sized pieces, and finely chopping bell pepper.
- Rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer to remove any bitter coating.
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet or deep non-stick pan over medium-high heat with a light coating of olive oil.
- Season diced chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, ensuring even coating.
- Add chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until exterior is golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Add diced sweet potatoes and bell peppers to the skillet, stirring to combine with chicken and cook for additional 3 minutes.
- Pour rinsed quinoa and chicken broth into the skillet, gently stirring to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Reduce heat to low, cover skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until quinoa is fluffy and liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving hot directly from the skillet.
Tips
- Prep is Key: Cut all ingredients to uniform sizes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
- Quinoa Rinse Hack: Always rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove its natural saponin coating, which can taste bitter.
- High Heat Searing: Use a cast-iron skillet or heavy non-stick pan to get a beautiful golden-brown sear on your chicken.
- Seasoning Secret: Don't be shy with spices! The garlic powder and paprika are crucial for building deep flavor.
- Liquid Ratio Matters: Stick to the recommended chicken broth amount to achieve perfectly fluffy quinoa.
- Low and Slow Finish: Reduce heat and cover while simmering to allow ingredients to steam and flavors to meld.
- Resting Time: Let the skillet sit covered for 5 minutes after cooking to enhance flavor absorption.
- Fresh Garnish: The cilantro isn't just for looks - it adds a bright, fresh finish to the dish.Pro Tip: This recipe is incredibly versatile! Feel free to swap chicken for tofu, add different vegetables, or experiment with alternative spice blends to make it your own.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 279kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 55mg
