Description
This Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole is a vibrant and hearty dish combining tender cubed chicken breasts, roasted sweet potatoes, and fresh broccoli florets all tossed in a spicy buffalo sauce. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, green onions, and crispy turkey bacon, this casserole offers a perfect blend of flavors and textures, making it an ideal meal for family dinners or game day gatherings.
Ingredients
Proteins
- 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts (about 3 large breasts, cut into cubes)
- 1/2 cup cooked turkey bacon, chopped
Vegetables
- 5 medium sweet potatoes, cut into small cubes (skin on or off)
- 2 heads broccoli, cut into small florets
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion
Sauces and Oils
- 1 cup buffalo sauce (e.g., New Primal or Frank’s)
- 1/2 cup avocado oil or olive oil
- Drizzle of ranch dressing (optional, for serving)
Spices and Cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 425°F and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Chop Ingredients: Cut the chicken breasts into cubes, dice the sweet potatoes into small pieces (leave skin on or peel based on preference), and cut the broccoli into small florets for even cooking.
- Mix Buffalo Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the buffalo sauce, avocado or olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, mixing thoroughly to create a flavorful sauce mixture.
- Toss Sweet Potatoes: Place the cubed sweet potatoes into a large bowl, add half of the buffalo sauce mixture, and toss until the sweet potatoes are well coated.
- Roast Sweet Potatoes: Transfer the seasoned sweet potatoes to the prepared casserole dish and roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, flipping the potatoes halfway through cooking to ensure even roasting.
- Prepare Chicken and Broccoli: While sweet potatoes roast, add the cubed chicken and broccoli florets to the large bowl previously used, then pour in the remaining buffalo sauce mixture and toss to coat completely.
- Assemble Casserole: After the sweet potatoes have roasted for 30 minutes, evenly spread the coated chicken and broccoli mixture over the top of the sweet potatoes in the casserole dish.
- Bake Casserole: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, indicating it is fully cooked.
- Add Toppings: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, and cooked turkey bacon evenly over the top. Place back in the oven for 5 more minutes or until the cheese has melted.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few moments before serving. Add a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing if desired for extra flavor.
Notes
- You can leave the sweet potato skins on for extra fiber or peel them if you prefer a smoother texture.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to your desired spice level.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is safely cooked to 165°F.
- Turkey bacon adds a lower-fat alternative to traditional bacon, but you can substitute with regular bacon if preferred.
- This casserole can be prepared in advance and reheated; add fresh green onions and cheese toppings after reheating.
