Pan-Seared Chicken with Roasted Sweet Potato and Charred Broccoli

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

A balanced dish featuring juicy pan-seared chicken breasts paired with caramelized roasted sweet potatoes and smoky charred broccoli florets, finished with a garlic lemon butter sauce. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, sweet potatoes, broccoli florets for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 2 American cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Peel and cut 2 medium sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Toss with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp smoked paprika. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes, stirring halfway, until golden and caramelized.
  2. Step 2: While sweet potatoes roast, trim 3 cups broccoli florets and toss with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1/4 tsp salt. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until smoking slightly. Add broccoli in a single layer and sear without stirring for 3 minutes until charred on one side, then stir and cook another 2 minutes until tender-crisp.
  3. Step 3: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Reduce skillet heat to medium and add 1 tbsp olive oil. Place chicken breasts in skillet and cook for 6 minutes on one side without moving until golden brown, then flip and cook 5 minutes more until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken and broccoli from skillet and cover loosely with foil. Reduce heat to low and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté garlic in butter for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme leaves. Pour sauce over chicken and broccoli.
  5. Step 5: Serve the pan-seared chicken with roasted sweet potatoes and charred broccoli, spooning the garlic lemon butter sauce over the top for a bright, savory finish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Roasted Sweet Potato and Charred Broccoli 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 Roasted Sweet Potato and Charred Broccoli?

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 Roasted Sweet Potato and Charred Broccoli?

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 Roasted Sweet Potato and Charred Broccoli 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 Roasted Sweet Potato and Charred Broccoli?

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.

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