Spicy Regional Chicken Stew with Smoked Paprika and Sweet Potatoes

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-16 · Updated 2026-06-16

A hearty chicken stew inspired by regional Southern flavors featuring smoky paprika, tender sweet potatoes, and a spicy kick for comforting warmth. This southern-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs large, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

Ingredients

• 1 lb, cut into 1-inch pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 2 medium, peeled and diced into 3/4-inch cubes sweet potatoes
• 1 large, diced yellow onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup, canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb cut chicken thighs and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Brown chicken for 5-6 minutes until golden but not fully cooked; transfer to a plate.
2. Step 2: Add 1 large diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp smoked paprika and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, cooking for 1 minute to toast the spices.
4. Step 4: Add 2 diced medium sweet potatoes, 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, and 3 cups chicken broth. Return chicken to the pot and bring to a boil.
5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender and chicken is cooked through.
6. Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning with 1/2 tsp additional salt if needed. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving hot with crusty bread or rice.