Pan-Seared Chicken with Mississippi Sweet Potato Mash
Juicy pan-seared chicken breasts served with a creamy sweet potato mash inspired by Southern flavors of Mississippi. This Southern US-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, sweet potatoes, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 2 pieces (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 medium (about 1 lb) sweet potatoes
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Peel and dice 2 medium sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Place them in a large pot, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil for 15-20 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Step 2: Drain the sweet potatoes and return them to the pot. Add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 1/4 cup whole milk. Mash with a potato masher until smooth and creamy, seasoning with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Keep warm.
- Step 3: Rub 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper evenly on both sides.
- Step 4: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, flipping once.
- Step 5: Remove chicken from skillet and let rest for 5 minutes. Plate the chicken over a bed of sweet potato mash. Garnish with 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Mississippi Sweet Potato Mash take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Mississippi Sweet Potato Mash?
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 sweet potatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Mississippi Sweet Potato Mash?
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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Mississippi Sweet Potato Mash for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Mississippi Sweet Potato Mash?
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.
