Blackened Chicken with Spiced Sweet Potato Mash

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-23 · Updated 2026-07-23

A soulful dish combining smoky blackened chicken with creamy sweet potato mash seasoned with warm spices, inspired by the vibrant energy of jazz. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 pieces (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 large (about 800 g) sweet potatoes
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. In a small bowl, combine 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the blackening spice mix.
2. Step 2: Rub the 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts evenly with 2 tbsp olive oil and then coat thoroughly with the blackening spice mix. Place the chicken in the hot skillet and sear for 5-6 minutes on each side until the outside is charred and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from heat and let rest.
3. Step 3: While the chicken cooks, peel and dice 2 large sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Place them in a pot of cold water, bring to a boil, and cook for 15 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain thoroughly.
4. Step 4: Return the sweet potatoes to the pot, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/4 cup milk, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves. Mash with a potato masher until smooth and creamy, seasoning with salt to taste.
5. Step 5: Serve each blackened chicken breast atop a generous scoop of the spiced sweet potato mash for a dish bursting with warmth and soulful flavor.