Are you on the hunt for a meal that truly has it all? Something that’s bursting with flavour, full of goodness, and simple to prepare? We understand that feeling of staring into the fridge, looking for inspiration. That’s why we’re so excited to share what we consider the ultimate weeknight hero: our Maple Dijon Chicken Sweet Potato Bowls Dinner. This dish is a beautiful medley of sweet, tangy, and savoury flavours, all harmoniously balanced in a single, satisfying bowl.

This is more than just food; it’s a colourful and delicious creation that we’re confident your entire family will adore. We bring together succulent chicken coated in a luscious maple Dijon glaze, roasted sweet potatoes that caramelise to perfection, and crisp, fresh greens. It’s a meal that feels indulgent yet is packed with nutrients. So, let’s get started and show you how to make this wonderful dish a new favourite in your kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• An Exquisite Blend of Flavours: The sweetness of maple syrup beautifully complements the zesty bite of Dijon mustard, resulting in a sauce that is truly delightful. When paired with the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes, it creates a flavour profile that’s simply divine.
• Wholesome and Well-Rounded: This bowl is a nutritional powerhouse. It provides lean protein from the chicken, complex carbs and fibre from the sweet potatoes, and a wealth of vitamins from the leafy greens, offering a complete and balanced meal.
• Perfect for Planning Ahead: We know life can be hectic. This recipe is an excellent choice for meal prepping. You can cook the main components in advance and assemble your bowls during the week for effortless and healthy lunches or dinners.
• Straightforward and Easy to Follow: Don’t be fooled by its sophisticated look; this dish uses everyday ingredients you can easily find. We’ve designed the instructions to be clear and simple, making it accessible for cooks of any experience level.
• Easily Adaptable to Your Taste: We encourage you to put your own spin on this recipe! You can swap the greens, add other vegetables to roast, or top it with your favourite nuts and seeds for an extra bit of crunch.

Ingredients

• chicken breasts
• pure maple syrup
• Dijon mustard
• wholegrain mustard
• olive oil
• apple cider vinegar
• black pepper
• sweet potatoes
• red onion
• kale or spinach
• pecans or walnuts
• dried cranberries

How to Make the Perfect Maple Dijon Chicken Sweet Potato Bowls

Putting together these wonderful bowls is a straightforward and enjoyable task. Our preferred method is to roast the chicken and sweet potatoes on a single baking sheet, which not only deepens the flavours but also means less washing up. Just follow our guide for a fantastic meal every time.

Step 1: Prepare and Roast the Sweet Potatoes

To begin, let’s get the sweet potatoes ready for roasting. Their inherent sweetness is a cornerstone of our delicious Sweet Potato Bowls. Ensuring your oven is preheated is the secret to achieving a beautifully caramelised finish.

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F / Gas Mark 6).
2. Place the cubed sweet potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and pepper, then toss until they are all coated.
3. Arrange the sweet potatoes on a large baking tray lined with parchment paper, making sure they are in a single layer. It’s vital not to overcrowd the tray, as this will make them steam instead of roast. If needed, use a second tray.
4. Place in the oven to roast for 15 minutes while you get the chicken ready.

Step 2: Create the Maple Dijon Marinade

While the sweet potatoes are having their initial roast, it’s time to prepare the incredible sauce for our Maple Dijon Chicken. This marinade is the very soul of the dish, providing a remarkable depth of flavour.

1. In a bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, both Dijon and wholegrain mustards, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the diced chicken to the marinade and mix well, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Allow it to marinate for at least 10 minutes so the flavours can really soak in. For an even richer taste, you can marinate it in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours.

Step 3: Cook the Dijon Chicken

Now we’ll unite the chicken and sweet potatoes on the baking tray. As the chicken cooks, the marinade will transform into a beautiful, sticky glaze.

1. Once the sweet potatoes have roasted for 15 minutes, take the tray out of the oven.
2. Gently move the potatoes over to one half of the tray. Arrange the marinated chicken on the empty half in an even layer.
3. Pop the tray back into the oven and continue to roast for another 15-20 minutes. The chicken should be cooked through, and the sweet potatoes tender with golden-brown edges. For safety, ensure the chicken’s internal temperature has reached 74°C (165°F).

Step 4: Assemble Your Bowls

Here comes the creative part—building your bowl! This is your chance to arrange the components just how you like them, creating your own culinary work of art.

1. As the chicken and potatoes are finishing, you can prepare your greens. If you’re using kale, put it in a bowl with a tiny splash of olive oil and a dash of salt. Use your hands to gently massage the leaves for a minute or so; this helps to soften them and makes them much nicer to eat raw.
2. Share out the massaged kale or fresh spinach among four bowls.
3. When they are ready, take the chicken and sweet potatoes out of the oven.
4. Spoon a generous amount of the roasted sweet potatoes and the sticky Dijon Chicken over the greens.
5. For the finishing touches, garnish with some thinly sliced red onion, toasted pecans, and a scattering of dried cranberries. Serve straight away and enjoy every bite!

Tips for the Best Chicken Bowls

To help you take your meal from simply good to truly exceptional, we’ve compiled a handful of our top tips. Crafting delicious Chicken Bowls is simple, and these small suggestions will guarantee a wonderful result.

• Give Everything Space: To get that perfect roast and caramelisation on your vegetables and chicken, make sure they aren’t crowded on the baking tray. A full tray traps steam, which leads to a softer texture and less concentrated flavour.
• Rest the Chicken: After cooking, letting the chicken sit for a couple of minutes before serving allows the juices to settle back into the meat. This simple step ensures every piece is succulent and moist.
• Toast the Nuts: A few minutes in a dry frying pan over a medium heat will toast your pecans or walnuts, deepening their flavour and enhancing their crunch. Keep a close eye on them, as they can catch very quickly!
• Confirm It’s Cooked: The most dependable way to ensure your chicken is perfectly cooked is with a meat thermometer. It removes any guesswork and is the best way to avoid dry, overdone chicken.

Variations and Substitutions

A brilliant aspect of this recipe is its flexibility. It serves as a fantastic foundation that you can easily modify based on your preferences or the ingredients you have on hand. If you’re a fan of bowl-based meals, you might also adore our recipe for Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls.

• Experiment with Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or chunks of butternut squash would all roast beautifully alongside the sweet potatoes. You may need to adjust the cooking times accordingly.
• Incorporate a Grain: To make the bowls even more filling, consider adding a base of cooked quinoa, brown rice, or farro.

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• Different Proteins: This marinade is also exquisite with salmon fillets or pork tenderloin. For a vegetarian alternative, try it with chickpeas—just toss them in the marinade and roast until they’re slightly crisp.
• Try New Toppings: Crumbled feta cheese can add a lovely salty contrast, pumpkin seeds provide more crunch, and a spoonful of Greek yoghurt can introduce a creamy element.

Sweet potatoes are not just tasty; they are also exceptionally nutritious. They’re an excellent source of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and potassium. To learn more about their health benefits, you can explore this helpful guide from the NHS on vitamins and minerals found in vegetables.

FAQ

A Perfect Dinner for Any Night of the Week

So there you have it—a straightforward, elegant, and wonderfully flavourful meal that we are certain will become a new household favourite. This Maple Dijon Chicken Sweet Potato Bowls Dinner is more than just a set of instructions; it’s a tribute to fresh ingredients and exciting flavours uniting in perfect harmony. It serves as proof that healthy meals can be both incredibly satisfying and easy to prepare.

For evenings when you need something comforting yet simple, this dish is an excellent option, much like other easy chicken recipes such as our beloved Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe. We hope you feel inspired to get creative, experiment with the variations, and make this recipe your very own.

We would be thrilled to hear how your bowls turn out! Please do give this recipe a go and let us know about your experience in the comments section below. Happy cooking!

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 35 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 large chicken breasts (approx. 500g), diced
• 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 4-5 cups kale or spinach
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F / Gas Mark 6). On a large parchment-lined baking sheet, toss the cubed sweet potatoes with 1 tbsp of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange in a single layer and roast for 15 minutes.
2. While the potatoes are roasting, prepare the marinade. In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tbsp of olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, wholegrain mustard, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Add the diced chicken to the marinade and stir until every piece is well-coated. Let it marinate for at least 10 minutes.
4. After 15 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Push the sweet potatoes to one side and arrange the marinated chicken in a single layer on the other half of the sheet.
5. Return the sheet to the oven and roast for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 74°C/165°F) and the sweet potatoes are tender and caramelised.
6. To assemble, divide the kale or spinach among four bowls. If using kale, massage it with a few drops of olive oil to soften. Top the greens with the roasted chicken and sweet potatoes.
7. Garnish with thinly sliced red onion, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries. Serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving, estimated):
Calories: 553 kcal,
Carbs: 50 g,
Protein: 42 g,
Fat: 20 g