Chicken & Sweet Potato Enchilada Skillet

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This sweet potato–chicken enchilada skillet is a hearty, one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chunks of sweet potato and shredded chicken combine with store-bought enchilada sauce for a flavorful shortcut. Corn tortilla wedges are stirred in, soaking up the sauce and giving the dish a comforting, casserole-like texture.

Recipe image of Chicken & Sweet Potato Enchilada Skillet
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Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

  • Store-bought enchilada sauce saves time while still delivering bold, spicy flavors. 
  • Chicken contains protein and B vitamins to support a healthy metabolism.
  • The entire dish cooks in one skillet for easy cleanup.

This Chicken & Sweet Potato Enchilada Skillet is a one-pan wonder designed to make busy weeknights easier. It brings together antioxidant-rich sweet potatoes and protein-packed chicken for a flavorful dinner. Using a store-bought sauce helps save time, but doesn’t skimp on flavor. The combination of sweet, smoky and spicy flavors will have you coming back for more. Plus, everything cooks in one skillet, so cleanup is as easy as the prep. Ready to give this crowd-pleasing meal a try? Read on for our expert tips for success, including what to serve with it and how to give it your own unique spin!

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • You can easily make a milder version by choosing mild enchilada sauce, swapping out the poblano for a green bell pepper and using Monterey Jack cheese in place of the pepper Jack. 
  • Want to give this skillet a different flavor? Try using green enchilada sauce in place of red.
  • Leftover roasted or grilled chicken works well here. Rotisserie chicken will work well too, but keep in mind that it will add additional sodium to the dish.

Nutrition Notes

  • Chicken is a complete source of protein since it contains all nine essential amino acids. Protein is an important nutrient that helps our bodies build new cells and promotes muscle growth. Chicken also contains B vitamins, which are necessary for a healthy metabolism. 
  • Sweet potatoes contain antioxidants like beta carotene, which gets converted into vitamin A in the body to help promote better heart health. The vegetable is also high in fiber—be sure to keep the peel on as that will increase the fiber content. Eating enough fiber can help keep the good bacteria in your gut thriving. 
  • Pinto beans add even more plant-based protein and fiber—this combination of nutrients can help you feel full for longer. Beans are also a good source of folate, which is an important nutrient for cell health.
Ingredients for a chicken and sweet potato enchilada skillet recipe arranged on a counter including sweet potatoes beans and seasoning

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • pounds sweet potatoes (about 2 medium), cubed (½-inch; about 4 cups)

  • ¾ teaspoon salt

  • cups water, divided

  • 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced (about cups)

  • 1 large poblano pepper, seeded and thinly sliced (about 1 cup)

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika

  • cups shredded cooked chicken breast

  • cups red enchilada sauce (from 2 (10-ounce) cans)

  • 1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added pinto beans, rinsed

  • 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas, stacked and cut into 8 wedges each (64 total)

  • 1 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese

  • ¼ cup sour cream

  • Cilantro leaves, thinly sliced radish, lime wedges and pickled red onion, for serving (optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cubed sweet potatoes and ¾ teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Add ¼ cup water; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, 6 to 8 minutes.

    Sweet potato cubes in a skillet being stirred with a wooden spoon

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

  2. Add sliced bell pepper, sliced poblano, ¼ cup water and the remaining 1 tablespoon oil; cook over medium-high heat, uncovered and stirring often, until the peppers are crisp-tender and the sweet potatoes are tender, about 6 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 3½ cups shredded chicken, 1½ cups enchilada sauce, the rinsed pinto beans, the tortilla wedges and the remaining 1 cup water. Stir and fold until well incorporated. Remove from heat and top with 1 cup pepper Jack.

    A skillet filled with a chicken and vegetable dish including sliced sweet potatoes and tortilla pieces

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

  3. Bake until the cheese has melted and started to brown in spots, 10 to 15 minutes. Garnish with dollops of sour cream and serve with cilantro, radish, lime wedges and pickled red onion, if desired.

    Recipe image of Chicken & Sweet Potato Enchilada Skillet.

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What can I serve with this skillet?

    Serve it straight from the pan with your favorite toppings like avocado slices, sour cream or a handful of fresh cilantro. Shredded lettuce or thinly sliced radish are also good options.

  • Can I use flour tortillas?

    Corn tortillas are preferred. When corn tortillas are cooked, they soften and absorb the flavors around them, eventually breaking down and thickening the sauce. Flour tortillas tend to get gummy and don’t break down as well.

  • Do I need to peel the sweet potatoes?

    Peeling is optional. The skin is edible and contains fiber and nutrients, but peeling can give the dish a smoother texture.

Recipe developed by Marianne Williams

EatingWell.com, September 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

509 Calories
17g Fat
51g Carbs
39g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size about 2 cups
Calories 509
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 51g 19%
Dietary Fiber 10g 37%
Total Sugars 7g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 39g 77%
Total Fat 17g 22%
Saturated Fat 6g 32%
Cholesterol 92mg 31%
Vitamin A 786µg
Vitamin C 44mg 48%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 3mg 17%
Folate 116µg
Vitamin K 11µg
Sodium 717mg 31%
Calcium 252mg 19%
Iron 4mg 21%
Magnesium 110mg 26%
Potassium 955mg 20%
Zinc 3mg 25%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Alex Loh
Square Headshot of Alex Loh
Alex Loh is EatingWell's food editor. As part of the food team, she creates healthy, delicious recipes for the EatingWell audience. Alex also writes informative food and cooking articles that range from how to store ground beef to the best picks from Trader Joe's. Alex conducts product and taste tests to find the best options, from salad spinners to salsas.
and
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer is a recipe developer, tester, and content creator. After graduating from culinary school, she started working the EatingWell Test Kitchen in 2006, developing and testing recipes.