Roasted Cajun-Spiced Chicken with NC Sweet Potato Mash

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-11 · Updated 2026-07-11

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Tender roasted chicken seasoned with smoky Cajun spices paired with creamy sweet potato mash, a Southern-inspired comfort meal. This Southern-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, Cajun seasoning for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 15 min Cook: 45 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 large sweet potatoes
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup whole milk
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F. In a small bowl, combine 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Rub this mixture evenly over 4 bone-in chicken thighs.
Step 2: Place the chicken thighs on a baking sheet lined with foil and roast for 35-40 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is crisp and browned.
Step 3: Meanwhile, peel and dice 2 large sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Place them in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook for 15 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
Step 4: Drain the sweet potatoes and return them to the pot. Add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/4 cup whole milk, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Mash with a potato masher until smooth and creamy.
Step 5: Serve the roasted Cajun-spiced chicken thighs alongside the sweet potato mash, garnished with additional parsley if desired.