Maple Dijon Chicken & Sweet Potato Bowls That Comfort Your Soul Recipe
These Maple Dijon Chicken & Sweet Potato Bowls are a comforting, nutritious meal featuring tender, maple-mustard marinated chicken breasts served alongside roasted sweet potatoes and quinoa or brown rice. The sweet and tangy flavors meld beautifully with fresh herbs, making it a perfect wholesome dinner bowl to satisfy your soul.
- Author: Kai
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Roasting, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Sweet Potatoes
- 2 medium sweet potatoes (or substitute with butternut squash or carrots)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil or melted coconut oil)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or fresh minced garlic)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Chicken and Marinade
- 4 chicken breasts (or chicken thighs for extra flavor)
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey)
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (or whole grain mustard)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Grain Base
- 1 cup quinoa or brown rice (cooked according to package instructions)
Garnish
- Fresh herbs such as parsley or cilantro
- Prep the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Toss them with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to ensure they are evenly coated for roasting.
- Roast the Sweet Potatoes: Spread the diced sweet potatoes on a baking sheet in a single layer. Roast them in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until they are tender and caramelized.
- Make the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper until well combined to create a flavorful marinade for the chicken.
- Marinate the Chicken: Thoroughly coat the chicken breasts with the maple Dijon marinade and let them sit for at least 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the marinated chicken breasts for 6-7 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Prepare the Grain: Meanwhile, cook quinoa or brown rice according to package instructions until fluffy and tender.
- Assemble the Bowls: Slice the cooked chicken breasts. In serving bowls, layer quinoa or rice, roasted sweet potatoes, and sliced chicken. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for added flavor and freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute sweet potatoes with butternut squash or carrots for a different sweetness profile.
- Avocado oil or melted coconut oil can replace olive oil for different flavor notes.
- Fresh minced garlic can be used instead of garlic powder for a more robust garlic flavor.
- Chicken thighs can replace chicken breasts for juicier and more flavorful meat.
- Maple syrup can be swapped with honey for an alternative natural sweetener.
- Whole grain mustard provides a chunkier texture and a different flavor if preferred over Dijon mustard.
- Leafy greens can substitute quinoa or brown rice for a lighter meal option.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
Keywords: Maple Dijon chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, quinoa bowls, healthy dinner, easy chicken recipe, maple mustard chicken, meal prep bowls