Grilled Cajun-Spiced Chicken with Roasted Sweet Potatoes

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy grilled chicken breasts seasoned with a bold Cajun spice blend, paired with caramelized roasted sweet potatoes. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed, olive oil 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.

★ 4.5 (8 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 2 large peeled and cubed sweet potatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes, turning halfway, until tender and caramelized.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, mix 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a small bowl to make Cajun seasoning.
  3. Step 3: Rub 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts with 1 tbsp olive oil and coat evenly with the Cajun seasoning mixture. Let rest 10 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill chicken breasts for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
  5. Step 5: Serve grilled chicken with roasted sweet potatoes and 1 lemon wedge per serving for squeezing over.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Cajun-Spiced Chicken with Roasted Sweet Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Cajun-Spiced Chicken with Roasted Sweet Potatoes?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Cajun-Spiced Chicken with Roasted Sweet Potatoes?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Cajun-Spiced Chicken with Roasted Sweet Potatoes for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Grilled Cajun-Spiced Chicken with Roasted Sweet Potatoes?

American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes