Native Carolina-Style Smoked Chicken & Sweet Potato Hash

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

A true Southern dish honoring Carolina's culinary roots with slow-smoked chicken and locally grown sweet potatoes, featuring genuine heritage ingredients. This southern us-inspired chicken ready in about 75 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, smoked paprika, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 50 min Serves 4 Southern US cuisine 580 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs bone-in chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season evenly with 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp avocado oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 12 minutes until golden brown and skin is crispy.
  3. Step 3: Flip chicken and add 1 diced yellow onion, 2 diced celery stalks, and 2 large diced sweet potatoes to the skillet. Stir to coat in oil and seasonings.
  4. Step 4: Pour 1 cup chicken stock around the chicken and add 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35 minutes until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender.
  5. Step 5: Remove chicken and set aside. Simmer the sauce uncovered for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Shred chicken and return to skillet with potatoes. Stir to coat in sauce and heat through for 2 minutes.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Native Carolina-Style Smoked Chicken & Sweet Potato Hash take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (25 min prep + 50 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 Native Carolina-Style Smoked Chicken & Sweet Potato Hash?

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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Native Carolina-Style Smoked Chicken & Sweet Potato Hash?

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 Native Carolina-Style Smoked Chicken & Sweet Potato Hash 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 Native Carolina-Style Smoked Chicken & Sweet Potato Hash?

Southern US 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.

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