Introduction

This Chicken & Sweet Potato Rice Bowl is a flavorful, wholesome dish perfect for weeknight dinners. With tender Cajun-spiced chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, and broccoli, topped with a creamy chipotle sauce, it combines simple ingredients into a satisfying meal.

A white bowl contains four layers: the bottom layer is fluffy white rice, the second layer is orange cubed roasted sweet potatoes on one side, the third layer is browned diced chicken in the center, and the fourth layer is bright green steamed broccoli on the opposite side, topped with light green avocado slices and drizzled with a creamy orange sauce and small chopped green onions scattered over the dish. Nearby, a white baking tray holds roasted broccoli, and on the white marbled surface there are whole sweet potatoes, a small white bowl with the same creamy orange sauce, a small bowl with spices, a glass of oil, and a white and black checkered cloth with three silver forks resting on it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, divided
3 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
3 cups broccoli florets
Cooked white rice, for serving
Sliced avocado, for serving
Fresh chopped green onions (optional for garnish)
½ cup mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon chipotle chili pepper powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey
½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
¼ teaspoon black pepper (plus more to taste)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F and line 3 sheet pans (or 2 large ones) with parchment paper.
Step 2: Spread the sweet potatoes and broccoli onto one large sheet pan or divide them between two smaller pans. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, sprinkle with ½ tablespoon Cajun seasoning, and toss to coat evenly.
Step 3: Toss the chicken with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and ½ tablespoon Cajun seasoning until well coated. Arrange the chicken in a single layer on the third sheet pan.
Step 4: Bake everything for 15–20 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the chicken and broccoli from the oven, then return the sweet potatoes to bake for another 5–10 minutes until fork-tender.
Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
Step 6: Assemble your bowls with cooked rice, chicken, sweet potatoes, and broccoli. Top with avocado slices, green onions if using, and drizzle with the chipotle sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the Cajun seasoning and olive oil for 30 minutes before cooking.
Swap out white rice for brown rice or quinoa for a healthier whole grain option.
Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter, tangier chipotle sauce.
Add other roasted veggies like bell peppers or zucchini for added color and nutrients.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of water to keep the rice moist. Keep avocado slices separate and add fresh when serving to avoid browning.

How to Serve

A white bowl contains four neat sections of food: a base layer of plain white rice fills half the bowl, topped with small green onion pieces; next to the rice are golden-brown chicken chunks with a light brown sauce drizzled lightly over them; beside the chicken are bright orange cubes of roasted sweet potato with the same sauce drizzled in spots; the last section has dark green roasted broccoli topped with a few sauce streaks; on top of the broccoli sits thin slices of fresh, light green avocado arranged in a fan shape. Around the bowl are a white baking tray with roasted broccoli, two whole sweet potatoes, a white cup filled with light brown sauce, a glass container of olive oil, a whole avocado cut in half, and a folded white kitchen cloth with black grid lines holding three silver forks. The scene is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free Cajun seasoning and check that your mayonnaise or yogurt contains no gluten.

What can I substitute for the chipotle chili powder?

You can use smoked paprika combined with a pinch of cayenne pepper for a similar smoky and spicy flavor if you don’t have chipotle chili powder on hand.