Healthy Lemon Chicken and Sweet Potatoes

This one-pan Lemon Chicken and Sweet Potato recipe is so delicious, you’ll want to make it weekly! Chicken breasts and sweet potatoes are roasted in classic Greek flavors (lemon, olive oil, oregano) until juicy and tender. Make this no-fuss healthy recipe for dinner or meal prep it for the week! (Paleo & Whole-30)

One of the simplest yet most delicious meals to prepare is roasted chicken and potatoes. A Greek roasted chicken consists of classic flavors – oregano, garlic, olive oil, and lots of fresh lemon juice. It is usually roasted over a bed of potatoes. A staple in every Greek household, this meal requires minimum preparation, one pan, and is sure to please everyone around the dinner table! 

A whole chicken is ideal if you have the time, but if you are like me and want food on the table as fast as possible, chicken breasts or thighs work just as well. Because the chicken is roasted on top of a bed of sweet potatoes, the potatoes absorb all of the delicious flavors of the chicken, making this one-pot meal the perfect comfort food.

What Makes This Roasted Lemon Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipe Healthy?

I am always trying to give classic recipes a healthy makeover with delicious “superfoods”. This is my take on the classic Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes.

I swapped starchy white potatoes with sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are nutrient powerhouses loaded antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber (especially if you eat the skin!). They have fewer calories, more fiber, and less total carbs. Compared to white potatoes, sweet potatoes provide 400% of your daily dose of vitamin A, which is excellent for eye health. They also strengthen your immune system by containing more vitamin C. The minerals calcium and magnesium build strong bones. The antioxidants in vitamins A and C, and manganese prevent cell damage and protect cells from carcinogens and toxins.

On to olive oil… The base in the Mediterranean diet – which is believed to be the example of a healthy and proper diet. Olive oil is a contributing factor for lifelong wellbeing. The phytonutrient in olive oil reduces inflammation and the risk of cancer. Olive oil protects against heart disease and oxidative stress, lowers blood pressure, prevents diabetes, and helps reduce levels of obesity. It is no secret that the health benefits of olive oil outshine other oils and research reveals more benefits daily.

Turmeric has amazing health benefits and healing properties so I like to add into almost everything I eat. Curcumin is the most potent compound in turmeric. It is a natural anti-inflammatory and antidepressant, a powerful antioxidant, improves brain health, prevents and treats brain diseases like Alzheimer’s, lowers the risk of heart disease, prevents the risk of cancer, and reduces pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. When eating turmeric it is important to note that curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. Fortunately, if you consume it with black pepper, which contains piperine, the absorption of curcumin is improved by 2000% !!

Aside from all of its health benefits, this healthy lemon chicken recipe is so delicious; it is sure to impress your friends and family. Not only does it take 10 minutes to prepare, it’s made in one pan with minimum clean up. It’s hard to go wrong with a dish like this!

Healthy Roasted Lemon Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipe Ingredients 

Let’s go over the ingredients used in this easy one-pan chicken and sweet potato recipe. Using high-quality and fresh ingredients is key to producing the best dinner!

• Sweet Potatoes: Any variety of sweet potato works well in this recipe. Yukon gold potatoes are also a delicious substitution if you aren’t the biggest sweet potato fan!  
• Chicken breast: I like to use whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts in this recipe. You can use bone-in chicken breast or thighs for this recipe but keep a close eye on the cooking temperature. Make sure to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 175 degrees F before removing it from the oven.
• Lemon juice. Fresh squeezed lemon juice is always best! Adjust the amount of lemons depending on your taste!
• Olive oil: I always have a good neutral olive oil on hand for cooking. You can also use avocado oil in this baked chicken breast recipe! 
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds both flavor and health benefits. Did you know that garlic is an antibacterial and antiviral making it great to help fight off any colds!
• Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard adds a great flavor to this dish. You can also use stone ground mustard for a most intense flavor.
• Herbs and Spices: Dried oregano gives this roasted chicken and sweet potato recipe it’s classic Greek flavor. The addition of turmeric adds anti-inflammatory properties to the dish.
• Low-sodium chicken broth: Use your favorite store bought or homemade chicken broth or bone broth in this recipe. If using a store bought stock, I like to use a low-sodium version so that I can control the amount of salt in the recipe.

How To Make The Best Healthy Greek Lemon Roasted Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipe 

This paleo and Whole 30 lemon chicken and sweet potato recipe is sooo easy to make! Let’s go through the steps to make sure you end up with the perfectly roasted chicken and sweet potatoes.

STEP ONE: WHISK WET INGREDIENTS

The first step in this healthy lemon chicken and sweet potato recipe is to combine the lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, oregano, turmeric, salt, black pepper, and chicken broth In a mixing bowl. Whisk the mixture until all of the ingredients are well combined.

STEP TWO: ARRANGE SWEET POTATOES IN BAKING PAN

Next, arrange the sweet potatoes in a single layer on the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan.

STEP THREE: ADD CHICKEN TO BAKING PAN

Add the chicken breasts over the sweet potatoes.

STEP  FOUR: POUR LEMON MIXTURE OVER CHICKEN AND SWEET POTATOES

Finally, pour the lemon mixture over the chicken and the sweet potatoes. Top with thinly sliced lemon slices if you would like. 

STEP FIVE: ROAST

Roast in a preheated oven for about 55-60 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to make sure that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165 degrees F.

Healthy Lemon Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipe FAQs

Is this Lemon Chicken and Sweet Potato recipe allergen friendly?

Yes! This recipe is gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, Paleo, and Whole 30.

Can I meal prep Lemon Chicken and Sweet Potatoes?

You can easily meal prep this recipe and enjoy it all week long! Place the sweet potatoes in meal prep containers and top with 1 chicken breast. You can add some roasted broccolini, brussels sprouts, green beans, etc.

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• Easy and Healthier Spaghetti and Meatballs

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Healthy Lemon Chicken and Sweet Potatoes

Angelina Papanikolaou

This one-pan Lemon Chicken and Sweet Potato recipe is so delicious, you’ll want to make it weekly! Chicken breasts and sweet potatoes are roasted in classic Greek flavors (lemon, olive oil, oregano) until juicy and tender. Make this no-fuss healthy recipe for dinner or meal prep it for the week! (Paleo & Whole-30)

4.91 from 20 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine Greek

Calories 417 kcal

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

• ▢ 4 medium or 3 large sweet potatoes
• ▢ 3 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
• ▢ 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 large lemons)
• ▢ 1/4 cup olive oil
• ▢ 3 garlic cloves minced
• ▢ 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• ▢ 1 tsp dried oregano
• ▢ 1 tsp turmeric
• ▢ 1/2 tsp salt
• ▢ 1/2 tsp black pepper
• ▢ 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• ▢ 1 large lemon sliced (optional)
• ▢ Parsley for garnish

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Instructions 

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cut sweet potatoes to desired size.* (see note)
• In a mixing bowl, combine lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, oregano, turmeric, salt, black pepper, and chicken broth. Whisk to combine.
• Arrange the sweet potatoes in a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Place the chicken breasts over the sweet potatoes and pour lemon mixture on top. Top with lemon slices.
• Roast in oven for 55-60 minutes. Top with chopped parsley and serve hot.

Notes

* I like to keep the skins on the sweet potatoes for the extra fiber. I recommend you do so if you are using organic sweet potatoes.

This recipe is gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, Paleo, and Whole 30.

Meal Prep: You can easily meal prep this recipe and enjoy it all week long! Place the sweet potatoes in meal prep containers and top with 1 chicken breast. You can add some roasted broccolini, brussels sprouts, green beans, etc.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 417kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 43gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 450mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6g

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