Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
If you’re anything like me, you love a good twist on comfort food that packs a punch — and that’s exactly what this Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe delivers. Imagine tender chunks of chicken with that signature spicy buffalo kick, nestled on a bed of sweet, roasted potatoes and vibrant broccoli. It’s hearty, cozy, and perfect for weeknight dinners or casual get-togethers. Stick around, because I’m about to share everything you need to know to make this fan-freaking-tastic dish a new favorite in your kitchen!
Why This Recipe Works
- Balanced Flavors: The spicy buffalo sauce perfectly complements the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes and the mildness of broccoli.
- Simple Prep: Minimal hands-on time with straightforward steps makes it manageable even on busy days.
- Customizable: You can easily swap ingredients or adjust spice levels to fit your family’s tastes.
- Layered Textures: Crisp roasted veggies, tender chicken, and melty cheese make every bite satisfying.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic lies in the blend of simple, fresh ingredients that create a comforting yet exciting casserole. Each component has a role, so picking quality produce and good buffalo sauce makes all the difference.
- Boneless chicken breasts: Cubing chicken helps it cook evenly and soak up that buffalo flavor.
- Sweet potatoes: Their natural sweetness tames the heat and adds a creamy texture, plus you can leave the skin on for extra fiber.
- Broccoli: Adds a vibrant color and a fresh crunch that balances richness.
- Buffalo sauce: The star of the show—choose one with a good balance of spice and tang.
- Avocado or olive oil: Helps roast the veggies and melds flavors without overpowering.
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder: Basics that boost flavor without fuss.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully for that gooey topping everyone loves.
- Green onion: Offers a fresh, mild bite as a garnish.
- Cooked turkey bacon: Adds a smoky crunch, but feel free to omit or swap.
- Ranch dressing: A cool drizzle at the end tempers the heat and adds creaminess.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love experimenting with this casserole depending on what we have on hand or what flavors I’m craving. The beauty is it’s so adaptable, so don’t hesitate to make it your own.
- Spicier Heat: Sometimes I add a splash of hot sauce or extra garlic powder if I want to kick things up a notch.
- Vegetarian Twist: Swap chicken for chickpeas or tofu for a meatless version that still packs protein.
- Cheese Variations: Pepper jack or smoked gouda bring new flavor dimensions.
- Richer Sauces: Mixing ranch into the buffalo sauce before coating gives it a creamy tang that my family loves.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Roast the Sweet Potatoes
First things first: preheat your oven to 425°F and grease a 9×13 casserole dish so nothing sticks. Cut those sweet potatoes into small cubes — don’t stress about peeling unless you prefer them skinless; the skin adds great texture and nutrients. Toss half the buffalo sauce mixture with the potatoes so every cube is coated in spicy goodness. Roast them for about 30 minutes, flipping halfway, until they’re fork-tender and caramelized on the edges.
Step 2: Toss Chicken and Broccoli in Buffalo Sauce
While the potatoes roast, cube your chicken and cut broccoli into small florets. Using the same bowl where the potatoes were mixed, combine the chicken and broccoli with the remaining buffalo sauce mixture. This double-duty bowl helps all those buffalo flavors cling to every ingredient and keeps things easy for cleanup.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake Everything Together
Once the sweet potatoes are nicely roasted, add the buffalo-coated chicken and broccoli on top in an even layer. Slide it back into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken hits that safe internal temp of 165°F. Then, pull it out to sprinkle with shredded cheddar, green onions, and cooked turkey bacon. Pop it back in for five more minutes so that cheese melts to oozy perfection.
Step 4: Serve and Garnish
Let the casserole cool for a few minutes—you don’t want to burn your tongue like I’ve done far too many times! Then add a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing for a creamy finish that offsets the heat beautifully. Trust me, the contrast is what makes this dish truly addictive.
Pro Tips for Making Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give sweet potatoes space to roast so they crisp up instead of steaming.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: I learned the hard way that guessing chicken doneness can lead to dryness—165°F is your safe bet.
- Prep Ingredients First: Have all the chopping done before you start mixing and roasting for a smoother workflow.
- Add Cheese Last: Melting cheese only at the end prevents it from burning and keeps it nice and gooey.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I typically top mine with a handful of chopped green onions and crispy turkey bacon bits for a crunchy contrast. A generous drizzle of ranch dressing just before serving is my non-negotiable—it mellows out the spiciness in the best way.
Side Dishes
This casserole is pretty much a full meal, but if you want to add sides, I like pairing it with a light mixed greens salad or some crunchy celery sticks on the side to echo classic buffalo flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For game day or casual parties, I’ve served this casserole in individual ramekins for easy grab-and-go servings. It also looks fantastic topped with a sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles and chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually let the casserole cool completely, then cover tightly and store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheating works great, making it perfect for next-day lunches or dinner prep.
Freezing
If you want to freeze it, I recommend skipping the cheese topping initially—store the casserole in an airtight container for up to 3 months, then add cheese after thawing before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes covered with foil to keep moisture in, then uncover and bake a few more minutes to crisp the cheese back up if needed. Microwave works in a pinch but can make it a bit soggy.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen sweet potatoes for this recipe?
While fresh sweet potatoes roast best for texture and flavor, you can use frozen sweet potato cubes if you’re short on time. Just be sure to adjust roasting time as frozen pieces usually need a bit longer and might be softer in texture.
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Is this casserole spicy?
This Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe has a noticeable kick thanks to the buffalo sauce, but it’s balanced by the sweetness of the potatoes and creamy cheese. You can always tone down the heat by using less buffalo sauce or opting for a milder version.
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Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare all ingredients ahead, assemble the casserole, cover it, and keep it in the fridge for a day before baking. If freezing, wait on adding cheese and toppings until you’re ready to bake.
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What can I substitute for turkey bacon?
If you want a vegetarian option or don’t have turkey bacon, crispy fried onions, smoked paprika roasted chickpeas, or even crumbled tempeh work well to add crunchy texture and smoky flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe has become such a go-to in my house because it’s easy, flavorful, and really hits that comfort food sweet spot with a spicy twist. Whenever I need a meal that feels special but doesn’t require hours, this one’s always there to deliver. I’m excited for you to try it — I have a feeling you’ll love it as much as I do, and it might just become your new favorite too!
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Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
This Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole is a flavorful, hearty dish featuring tender chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, and broccoli coated in spicy buffalo sauce. Topped with melted cheddar, green onions, and turkey bacon, it’s a comforting meal perfect for dinner that combines the zest of buffalo flavors with the sweetness of roasted potatoes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts (about 3 large breasts), cut into cubes
- 5 medium sweet potatoes, cut into small cubes (skin on or off)
- 2 heads broccoli, cut into small florets
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 cup buffalo sauce (New Primal or Franks recommended)
- 1/2 cup avocado oil or olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion
- 1/2 cup cooked turkey bacon
- Drizzle of ranch dressing (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare ingredients: Cut chicken breasts into cubes, peel and cube sweet potatoes, and chop broccoli into small florets for even cooking.
- Mix buffalo sauce: In a small bowl, combine buffalo sauce, avocado or olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to create the flavorful coating.
- Toss sweet potatoes: Place sweet potato cubes in a large bowl with half of the buffalo sauce mixture and toss until potatoes are well coated.
- Roast sweet potatoes: Spread the coated sweet potatoes evenly in the casserole dish and roast for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through for even roasting.
- Combine chicken and broccoli: In the same bowl used for sweet potatoes, mix cubed chicken and broccoli with the remaining buffalo sauce to coat completely.
- Add chicken and broccoli to casserole: After 30 minutes of roasting the sweet potatoes, top them with the buffalo-coated chicken and broccoli mixture.
- Bake casserole: Bake everything together for 20 to 25 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit and is cooked through.
- Add toppings and finish baking: Remove casserole from oven, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onion, and cooked turkey bacon on top. Return to oven for 5 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let casserole cool for a few moments before serving. Optionally drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing for extra flavor.
Notes
- Store leftover casserole in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Leaving the sweet potato skin on adds texture, but peeling is fine if preferred.
- Use turkey bacon for a leaner option or substitute with regular bacon as desired.
- Ensure the chicken reaches 165°F internally for safe consumption.
- If you prefer less spicy, reduce the amount of buffalo sauce or choose a milder brand.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
