Chicken and Sweet Potato Rice Bowl

This hearty and wholesome Chicken and Sweet Potato Rice Bowl is the perfect weeknight dinner that delivers on both flavor and nutrition. Tender diced chicken is paired with caramelized roasted sweet potatoes and served over a bed of nutty brown rice. Finished with a creamy tahini drizzle, this bowl is a satisfying balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats that will leave you feeling energized and nourished.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

  • 1 lb chicken breast, diced and seasoned with salt and pepper

  • 2 cups sweet potatoes, diced

  • 2 cups cooked brown rice

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tsp paprika

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Tahini Drizzle:

  • 2 tbsp tahini

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

  • 1 tbsp water

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss diced sweet potatoes with olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes until tender and golden.

  2. While sweet potatoes are roasting, cook diced chicken in a skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through, about 7–10 minutes.

  3. In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, and water until smooth and creamy. Add a little extra water if needed to thin the sauce.

  4. To assemble, divide the cooked brown rice among 4 bowls. Top with roasted sweet potatoes and chicken.

  5. Drizzle with tahini sauce just before serving.

Nutrients (Per Serving – Approximate)

  • Calories: ~420

  • Protein: ~30g

  • Carbohydrates: ~35g

  • Fat: ~18g

  • Fiber: ~5g

  • Sugar: ~4g

  • Sodium: ~300mg

A Balanced Meal in Every Bite

What makes this rice bowl truly special is its balance of nutrients and textures. The tender chicken breast provides a lean source of protein, essential for muscle maintenance and satiety. The roasted sweet potatoes contribute natural sweetness and fiber, as well as complex carbohydrates to keep your energy steady. And the brown rice base adds a nutty flavor and whole grain goodness that grounds the bowl in wholesome simplicity.

But it doesn’t stop there. The final touch—a creamy tahini drizzle—brings a rich, nutty element that ties everything together. With just a few ingredients, this sauce delivers a punch of flavor that adds depth and dimension to every forkful.

Sweet Potatoes: The Star of the Bowl

One of the standout components of this recipe is the roasted sweet potato. When roasted with olive oil and paprika, the cubes become slightly caramelized on the outside while remaining soft and tender on the inside. This roasting process draws out their natural sweetness and gives them a golden, irresistible texture that contrasts perfectly with the savory chicken and hearty rice.

Sweet potatoes are more than just delicious—they’re a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. They’re an excellent source of slow-digesting carbs, which help keep you full and energized for hours. Their vibrant color also brings visual appeal to the bowl, making this dish as beautiful as it is tasty.

Lean and Flavorful Chicken: A Protein Powerhouse

Chicken breast is the go-to protein in many healthy meals for a reason: it’s lean, versatile, and cooks quickly. In this bowl, the chicken is simply seasoned with salt and pepper, then pan-seared until golden and fully cooked. This method keeps it juicy and tender while adding just enough savory flavor to complement the other components of the dish.

You can also easily customize the seasoning to suit your preferences—add a sprinkle of garlic powder, cumin, or chili flakes if you want to kick up the flavor a notch. No matter how you season it, the chicken is a vital element that adds satisfying texture and essential protein to this well-rounded meal.

Brown Rice: The Hearty and Nutty Base

Unlike white rice, brown rice retains its bran and germ, making it higher in fiber and more nutrient-dense. It has a chewy texture and nutty flavor that works beautifully with the earthy sweetness of the sweet potatoes and the rich tahini drizzle.

Brown rice is also a complex carbohydrate, meaning it digests more slowly than refined grains and provides more sustained energy. It’s a great choice for those looking to stabilize blood sugar levels or simply add more whole grains to their diet.

Plus, brown rice is incredibly versatile—it can be cooked in large batches and used for multiple meals throughout the week, making it perfect for meal prep and busy schedules.

The Creamy Tahini Drizzle: Rich, Tangy, and Totally Addictive

No bowl is complete without a flavorful finishing touch, and this dish delivers with a simple yet luxurious tahini drizzle. Made from tahini (ground sesame paste), lemon juice, and a splash of water, this sauce is creamy, nutty, and perfectly tangy. It contrasts beautifully with the savory chicken and earthy sweet potatoes while bringing everything together in one cohesive flavor experience.

Tahini also offers a boost of healthy fats, plant-based protein, and essential minerals like magnesium, iron, and calcium. It’s a great alternative to dairy-based sauces, making this meal suitable for dairy-free diets.

You can customize the drizzle to your liking by adding minced garlic, cumin, or a pinch of chili powder for extra warmth and complexity.

Quick, Easy, and Meal Prep Friendly

This Chicken and Sweet Potato Rice Bowl is designed to be as convenient as it is delicious. You can prepare the components in advance—roast the sweet potatoes, cook the chicken, and prepare the rice at the beginning of the week. Then when it’s time to eat, all you have to do is assemble and drizzle.

The bowl stores well in the fridge for up to four days, making it ideal for meal prepping or packing for lunch. Keep the tahini sauce separate until ready to serve to maintain its freshness and texture.

This kind of flexibility is what makes it a go-to recipe for anyone balancing health, time, and flavor.

Customizations to Make It Your Own

While the base recipe is already delicious, there are many ways to customize it based on your preferences or dietary needs:

  • Add greens: Mix in spinach, kale, or arugula for added vitamins and a fresh, peppery bite.

  • Swap the protein: Use grilled tofu, chickpeas, or salmon for a different twist.

  • Switch grains: Try quinoa, farro, or cauliflower rice instead of brown rice.

  • Add toppings: Sprinkle on pumpkin seeds, chopped parsley, pickled red onions, or a dollop of hummus.

  • Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the tahini drizzle.

These small tweaks allow you to enjoy the dish in new ways again and again, keeping it exciting and tailored to your tastes.

Why This Bowl Is Great for Any Season

Though rooted in warm, roasted ingredients, this bowl transitions well across the seasons. In fall and winter, it provides the kind of hearty warmth we crave, with its roasted sweet potatoes and cozy spices. In spring and summer, the lightness of the tahini sauce and fresh lemon juice brings a brightness that keeps the dish feeling fresh and energizing.

It’s a year-round staple—simple enough to make on a busy Tuesday, elegant enough to serve at a casual dinner party, and customizable enough to suit nearly any dietary lifestyle.

Conclusion

The Chicken and Sweet Potato Rice Bowl is a shining example of how healthy food can be flavorful, satisfying, and incredibly easy to prepare. With its combination of lean protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats, it offers a complete meal that nourishes your body while exciting your taste buds.

From the perfectly roasted sweet potatoes to the juicy, pan-seared chicken and creamy tahini drizzle, each element plays a crucial role in making this bowl something special. It’s proof that a simple recipe, built with intention and wholesome ingredients, can deliver restaurant-level satisfaction at home.

Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding the family, this rice bowl is a dependable, delicious choice that brings nutrition and flavor together in perfect harmony. Once you try it, don’t be surprised if it becomes a permanent part of your weekly rotation—a dish that comforts, fuels, and delights, bite after wholesome bite.

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