Description
This Easy Maple Dijon Chicken Bowl with Sweet Potatoes offers a vibrant and hearty meal featuring tender chicken, smoky turkey bacon, and naturally sweet roasted sweet potatoes. Tied together with a tangy maple dijon sauce, it’s a wholesome and flavorful dinner perfect for busy weeknights or sharing with loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Protein
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon
Vegetables and Greens
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into bite-sized cubes
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, plus extra for garnish
Sauce and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (natural)
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (natural)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon olive oil, plus extra for roasting
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into bite-sized cubes. Toss them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh thyme leaves. Spread the sweet potatoes evenly on a baking sheet and roast in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through until tender and caramelized.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: While the sweet potatoes roast, slice the smoked turkey bacon into small pieces. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside, leaving the flavorful drippings in the skillet.
- Sear the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. In the same skillet with turkey bacon drippings, sear the chicken over medium heat for 5-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove from the skillet and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Make the Maple Dijon Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup (natural), Dijon mustard (natural), apple cider vinegar, and a teaspoon of olive oil. Adjust the seasoning to balance sweet and tangy flavors as desired.
- Assemble the Bowl: Slice the rested chicken into strips. In serving bowls, add a base of fresh baby spinach. Layer with roasted sweet potatoes, smoked turkey bacon, and sliced chicken. Drizzle generously with the maple Dijon sauce and garnish with extra fresh thyme leaves if desired.
Notes
- Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Ensure sweet potatoes are fork-tender and caramelized when roasting.
- Use the turkey bacon drippings to sear chicken for extra rich flavor.
- Adjust the amount of maple syrup in the sauce to achieve your preferred sweetness level.
- Allow chicken to rest after cooking to retain juices and tenderness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: maple dijon chicken bowl, sweet potatoes, healthy dinner, easy chicken recipe, gluten free, weeknight meal