Discover the fusion of flavors with this exciting twice-baked chicken fajita sweet potatoes recipe. The sweet potatoes serve as a wholesome base, complementing the spicy and savory elements of the chicken fajita mix. This recipe is easy to make and packed with nutritious ingredients that will leave you feeling satisfied.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are quite common and can be found in your local supermarket. However, you may want to give special attention to the Mexican cheese, which adds a unique flavor to the dish. If it's not available, a blend of Monterey Jack and cheddar can do the trick. The same goes for tinned black beans. If you can't find them, cooked black beans can be a great substitute.
Ingredients for Twice Baked Chicken Fajita Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes: This is the main component of the dish, serving as a nutritious and flavorful base.
Olive oil: Used to sauté the chicken and vegetables, it adds a subtle flavor and helps in cooking.
Red onion: Adds a sharp and slightly sweet flavor to the dish.
Chicken breast: The protein of the dish, it's lean and absorbs the flavors well.
Garlic: Provides a robust flavor to the chicken fajita mix.
Bell peppers: They add a crunchy texture and sweet flavor.
Black beans: These offer a good source of fiber and protein.
Ground cumin and paprika: Spices that give the chicken its characteristic fajita flavor.
Mexican cheese: Melts wonderfully, adding a creamy and flavorful touch.
Lime: A squeeze of lime adds a refreshing, tangy twist.
Coriander: Adds a fresh and citrusy flavor.
Avocado: Provides creaminess and balances the spices.
Salsa: It's the perfect topping to this dish, making every bite exciting.
One reader, Betta Deluca says:
This twice baked chicken fajita sweet potatoes recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are incredible and the dish is so satisfying. The combination of tender chicken, flavorful spices, and creamy sweet potatoes is just perfect. It's a must-try for anyone looking for a delicious and wholesome meal.
Techniques Required for Making Twice Baked Chicken Fajita Sweet Potatoes
How to prepare sweet potatoes: Wrap the sweet potatoes in a paper towel and microwave on high for 10 minutes. Then, carefully remove from the microwave, unwrap, pierce all over with a fork, rewrap, and microwave for an additional 4 to 5 minutes until soft.
How to cook chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil, and cook the chicken breast until browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
How to sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed, then sauté the red onion, garlic, and bell peppers until they are tender-crisp.
How to assemble the fajita sweet potatoes: Cut the cooked sweet potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out some of the flesh to create a well. Fill each sweet potato with the sautéed vegetables, cooked chicken, black beans, and sprinkle with ground cumin and paprika. Top with shredded Mexican cheese.
How to bake the fajita sweet potatoes: Place the filled sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
How to garnish and serve: Remove the fajita sweet potatoes from the oven and garnish with fresh coriander, a squeeze of lime juice, and serve with lime wedges, sliced avocado, and salsa on the side.
How To Make Twice Baked Chicken Fajita Sweet Potatoes
Serve up this twice baked chicken fajita sweet potatoes recipe for your next dinner. Creamy and savory chicken fajita packed in a hearty baked potato for a healthy meal.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 3wholesweet potatoesmedium-sized, washed, and scrubbed
- olive oil
- ½red onionthinly sliced
- 250gchicken breastcooked and sliced into strips
- 2clovesgarlicminced
- 1pcred capsicum/bell peppersliced
- 1pcyellow bell peppersliced
- 1pcgreen bell peppersliced
- ¼cuptinned black beanswashed and rinsed
- ½tspground cumin
- 1tsppaprikaswor smoked
- 1cupshredded Mexican cheeseor cheddar or mozzarella cheese
- 1pclimejuiced
- ¼cupcorianderor cilantro leaves
- lime wedgesto serve
- 1pcavocadodiced, optional
- Salsato serve
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 430 degrees F. Apply non stick spray on a baking tray and arrange sweet potatoes on the tray and roast for 1 hour or until tender.
-
While sweet potatoes are cooking, sautee onions on a pan over medium-high heat, about 1 minute.
-
Add the chicken, bell peppers, and garlic to the pan and cook for another 2 minutes until garlic is fragrant.
-
Pour in the seasonings and toss for 2 minutes until chicken is well coated. Stir in the beans and set aside.
-
Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and let them cool on the pan for 10 minutes until they’re warm to the touch. Slice them in half carefully.
-
Scrape the flesh out from the potatoes leaving a 1 centimeter wall around. Set aside the scooped out flesh.
-
Get the fajita mixture and add it to the scooped out flesh of the potatoes. Mix until fully incorporated. Then add the lemon juice.
-
Put the skins back on the baking tray and fill them with the fajita mixture. Top off with cheese and coriander and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and starting to brown.
-
Serve with the remaining coriander, lime wedges on the side. Add salsa if preferred.
Nutrition
- Calories: 13610.85kcal
- Fat: 784.68g
- Saturated Fat: 211.84g
- Trans Fat: 7.87g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 356.15g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 153.80g
- Carbohydrates: 26.75g
- Fiber: 7.74g
- Sugar: 4.00g
- Protein: 1521.16g
- Cholesterol: 4662.44mg
- Sodium: 4752.39mg
- Calcium: 1017.27mg
- Potassium: 16562.38mg
- Iron: 56.13mg
- Vitamin A: 2271.00µg
- Vitamin C: 12.40mg
Pro Tip for Perfecting Twice Baked Chicken Fajita Sweet Potatoes
When preparing the sweet potatoes, ensure you pierce them evenly all over with a fork. This allows the heat to penetrate evenly, ensuring the potatoes cook uniformly. Additionally, when microwaving, rotate the potatoes halfway through the cooking time to promote even cooking. For the chicken fajita filling, make sure to cut the chicken breast and bell peppers into similar-sized pieces for even cooking. Also, don't rush the sautéing process. Allow the onions, garlic, and spices to cook slowly to release their flavors fully. Lastly, when adding the shredded Mexican cheese, do so while the potatoes are still hot, this will allow the cheese to melt nicely into the filling.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Sweet Potato Recipe
Prep ahead: Pre-cook the sweet potatoes in advance and store them in the refrigerator. This will save time when you're ready to make the dish.
One-pan cooking: Cook the chicken and vegetables in the same pan to minimize clean-up and save time.
Batch cooking: Make a larger quantity of the filling and freeze the extra portions for future use. This way, you can simply reheat and stuff the sweet potatoes for a quick meal.
Use pre-shredded cheese: Opt for pre-shredded Mexican cheese to save time on grating and preparation.
Multi-task: While the sweet potatoes are baking, use that time to prepare the filling ingredients to maximize efficiency.
Prep ingredients in advance: Chop and prepare all the ingredients ahead of time to streamline the cooking process.
Invest in a good knife: A sharp, quality knife can make chopping and slicing ingredients quicker and more efficient.
Organize your workspace: Keep all your ingredients and tools within reach to avoid wasting time searching for items while cooking.
Cook in bulk: Make a larger batch of the filling and use it for various meals throughout the week to save time on preparation.
Substitute Ingredients For Twice Baked Chicken Fajita Sweet Potatoes Recipe
sweet potatoes - Substitute with butternut squash: Butternut squash has a similar sweet and nutty flavor to sweet potatoes and can be used as a delicious alternative in this recipe.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a mild flavor and high smoke point, making it a suitable replacement for olive oil in this recipe.
chicken breast - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast can be used as a lean and flavorful alternative to chicken breast in this recipe.
red onion - Substitute with yellow onion: Yellow onions have a slightly milder flavor compared to red onions and can be used as a substitute in this recipe.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: If fresh garlic is not available, garlic powder can be used as a convenient substitute in this recipe.
red capsicum/bell pepper - Substitute with orange bell pepper: Orange bell peppers can provide a similar sweet and crunchy texture as red bell peppers in this recipe.
yellow bell pepper - Substitute with orange bell pepper: Orange bell peppers can be used as a substitute for yellow bell peppers with a similar flavor and texture.
green bell pepper - Substitute with poblano pepper: Poblano peppers have a mild heat and earthy flavor, making them a suitable substitute for green bell peppers in this recipe.
tinned black beans - Substitute with pinto beans: Pinto beans can be used as an alternative to black beans, providing a creamy texture and nutty flavor in this recipe.
ground cumin - Substitute with chili powder: Chili powder can be used as a substitute for ground cumin, adding a warm and smoky flavor to the dish.
paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika can be used as a substitute for regular paprika, adding a rich and smoky flavor to the recipe.
mexican cheese - Substitute with cheddar cheese: Cheddar cheese can be used as a substitute for Mexican cheese, providing a rich and sharp flavor to the dish.
lime - Substitute with lemon: Lemon can be used as a substitute for lime, providing a similar citrusy flavor and acidity to the recipe.
coriander - Substitute with parsley: Parsley can be used as a substitute for coriander, adding a fresh and herbaceous flavor to the dish.
avocado - Substitute with guacamole: Guacamole can be used as a flavorful alternative to fresh avocado, adding a creamy and savory element to the dish.
salsa - Substitute with pico de gallo: Pico de gallo can be used as a substitute for salsa, providing a fresh and chunky topping for the dish.
Presentation Ideas for Twice Baked Chicken Fajita Sweet Potatoes
Elevate the sweet potatoes: Carefully scoop out the cooked sweet potato flesh, leaving a thin layer inside the skin to maintain its structure. Mash the sweet potato flesh with a touch of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Create a vibrant fajita chicken filling: Sauté the diced chicken breast with finely chopped red onion and minced garlic until the chicken is cooked through. Add in the sliced red, yellow, and green bell peppers along with the black beans. Season with ground cumin and paprika for a burst of flavor.
Layer the flavors: Fill the hollowed sweet potato skins with the fajita chicken and vegetable mixture, ensuring each bite is packed with vibrant colors and robust flavors.
Add a touch of indulgence: Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded Mexican cheese over the stuffed sweet potatoes, allowing it to melt and create a luscious topping.
Garnish with freshness: Squeeze a hint of lime juice over the cheesy filling and finish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped coriander for a burst of freshness.
Present with finesse: Arrange the stuffed sweet potatoes on a pristine serving platter, garnish with slices of ripe avocado and a dollop of zesty salsa. Serve alongside extra lime wedges for a final touch of elegance.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making This Recipe
Microwave: A kitchen appliance that uses microwave radiation to cook, heat, and defrost food quickly.
Fork: A small utensil with two or more prongs, used for picking up and eating food.
Paper towel: An absorbent paper used for cleaning up spills and drying hands.
Knife: A sharp-edged utensil used for cutting or slicing food.
Cutting board: A durable board used for cutting and preparing food.
Grater: A kitchen tool with sharp-edged holes used to shred or grate food items.
Baking dish: A deep, oven-safe dish used for baking and cooking various dishes.
Mixing bowl: A bowl used for mixing ingredients together.
Spatula: A flat, flexible utensil used for lifting, flipping, and spreading food.
Oven: A kitchen appliance used for baking, roasting, and heating food.
Skillet: A frying pan with a flat bottom and sloping sides, used for frying, searing, and sautéing food.
Cheese grater: A kitchen tool specifically designed for grating cheese into fine pieces.
Lime squeezer: A tool used to extract juice from limes by pressing and squeezing.
Oven mitts: Insulated gloves or mitts used to handle hot dishes and cookware from the oven.
Food processor: A kitchen appliance used for chopping, blending, and pureeing food ingredients.
Can opener: A tool used to open metal cans.
Measuring cup: A cup used to measure liquid or dry ingredients accurately.
Measuring spoons: Utensils used to measure small amounts of ingredients accurately.
Serving platter: A large, flat dish used for serving food.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Twice Baked Chicken Fajita Sweet Potatoes
Once the twice baked chicken fajita sweet potatoes have cooled completely, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will help prevent them from drying out and absorbing other flavors in the refrigerator.
Place the wrapped sweet potatoes in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing to maintain freshness.
Label the container or bag with the date and contents for easy reference.
Store the twice baked chicken fajita sweet potatoes in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
If you want to freeze the sweet potatoes for later consumption, follow the same wrapping and storing process as mentioned above.
When freezing, it's best to place the wrapped sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and freeze them until solid before transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag. This will help prevent them from sticking together.
Frozen twice baked chicken fajita sweet potatoes can be stored for up to 2-3 months.
To reheat, remove the sweet potatoes from the refrigerator or freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight (if frozen).
Unwrap the sweet potatoes and place them on a baking sheet. Cover with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but the skin may not be as crispy.
Garnish with fresh coriander, salsa, and a squeeze of lime juice before serving the reheated twice baked chicken fajita sweet potatoes.
How To Reheat Leftover Twice Baked Chicken Fajita Sweet Potatoes
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature will ensure that your leftover twice baked chicken fajita sweet potatoes reheat evenly without drying out or burning.
Place the leftover sweet potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This will prevent them from sticking to the pan and make cleanup easier.
If your leftover sweet potatoes have been refrigerated, let them sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before reheating. This will help them reheat more evenly and prevent cold spots in the center.
Brush the tops of the sweet potatoes with a little olive oil or melted butter. This will help keep them moist and prevent them from drying out during reheating.
If desired, sprinkle some extra shredded cheese on top of each sweet potato before reheating. This will add an extra layer of flavor and texture to your reheated dish.
Place the baking sheet with the sweet potatoes in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are heated through and the cheese (if added) is melted and bubbly.
Alternatively, you can reheat your leftover twice baked chicken fajita sweet potatoes in the microwave. Place them on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high power for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Be sure to check them every 30 seconds to prevent overheating and drying out.
Once your leftover sweet potatoes are heated through, remove them from the oven or microwave and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice, and a dollop of sour cream or guacamole, if desired. These toppings will add a burst of fresh flavor and creaminess to your reheated dish.
Serve your reheated twice baked chicken fajita sweet potatoes immediately while they are still hot and enjoy your delicious, flavorful leftovers!
Interesting Trivia About Twice Baked Chicken Fajita Sweet Potatoes
Twice baked chicken fajita sweet potatoes are a delicious and nutritious meal option.
Is Making Twice Baked Chicken Fajita Sweet Potatoes at Home Cost-Effective?
This twice baked chicken fajita sweet potatoes recipe offers a balanced blend of sweet potatoes, chicken, and bell peppers, creating a hearty and nutritious meal. The use of affordable ingredients like black beans and Mexican cheese makes it cost-effective for a household. The approximate cost for a family of four is around $15. With a delightful medley of flavors and a satisfying portion size, this recipe earns a solid 8/10 for its taste, nutritional value, and budget-friendly nature.
Are Twice Baked Chicken Fajita Sweet Potatoes Healthy?
This twice baked chicken fajita sweet potato recipe is a healthier alternative to traditional fajitas. The use of sweet potatoes instead of tortillas provides a nutrient-dense base, offering fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium. The chicken breast is a lean protein source, and the variety of colorful bell peppers adds antioxidants and fiber to the dish. Black beans contribute additional protein and fiber, while the spices like cumin and paprika provide flavor without added calories.
However, there are a few areas where the recipe could be improved:
- Reduce the amount of shredded Mexican cheese to lower the saturated fat and calorie content
- Use a low-fat cheese alternative or replace some of the cheese with a dollop of Greek yogurt for a creamy texture with added protein
- Increase the amount of vegetables to boost the fiber and nutrient content
- Opt for low-sodium black beans to reduce the overall sodium content
- Use a lean cut of chicken breast and trim any visible fat to keep the dish low in saturated fat
- Serve with a side salad or extra roasted vegetables to make the meal more well-rounded and nutritious
Editor's Opinion on Twice Baked Chicken Fajita Sweet Potatoes
This recipe for twice baked chicken fajita sweet potatoes is a delightful fusion of flavors and textures. The combination of tender chicken, vibrant bell peppers, and zesty lime creates a mouthwatering filling for the sweet potatoes. The addition of black beans and Mexican cheese adds a rich and satisfying element to the dish. The use of microwave for cooking the sweet potatoes is a convenient and time-saving technique. The final touch of fresh coriander, creamy avocado, and zesty salsa elevates the dish to a whole new level. It's a creative and delicious twist on traditional fajitas that is sure to impress!
Enhance Your Twice Baked Chicken Fajita Sweet Potatoes Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Similar Recipes to Try If You Love This Dish
Appetizer and Dessert Pairings for Twice Baked Chicken Fajita Sweet Potatoes
Why trust this Twice Baked Chicken Fajita Sweet Potatoes Recipe:
This recipe offers a unique twist on the classic fajita, combining the wholesome goodness of sweet potatoes with the savory flavors of chicken and vibrant bell peppers. The use of Mexican cheese and aromatic spices such as cumin and paprika adds depth to the dish. Additionally, the inclusion of black beans and avocado provides a nutritious boost. The recipe's step-by-step instructions ensure a hassle-free cooking experience, while the vibrant colors and fresh lime and coriander garnishes promise a delightful culinary journey.
Was this page helpful?
Have your own special recipe to share? Submit Your Recipe Today!
Related Recipes
Oven-Baked Chicken Fajitas Recipe
Copycat Chili’s Chicken Fajita Nachos Recipe
Fajitas Recipe
Fajita Chicken Puff Pastry Twists Recipe
Grilled Chicken Salad Wrap Recipe
Cast Iron Chicken Fajitas Recipe
Copycat Applebee’s Sizzling Skillet Fajitas Recipe
Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe
Chicken Fajita Salad Recipe
Baked Chicken Burrito Recipe
Pollo Fajitas Recipe
