In fact, this chicken stew recipe is so packed with healthy, nutritious ingredients that you can easily omit either the beans or the chicken to make it paleo/whole30 compliant or vegetarian/vegan. The secret ingredient that makes this taste so good is smoked paprika. It gives the soup a slightly smoky flavor (which goes insanely well with the sweetness of the potatoes) and makes it taste like it’s been cooking for hours. The stew isn’t spicy, but you can add some cayenne pepper to it if you want. Besides a bit of fresh parsley thrown in at the end, there aren’t any other spices besides salt and pepper, making the taste of the chicken, sweet potatoes, and black beans really shine through. And it’s thickened by mashing the sweet potatoes and beans up just a bit, meaning you don’t need to worry about adding any other ingredients, like flour or cornstarch, to thicken it to that hearty stew-like consistency.
What makes this chicken stew so healthy?
Chicken, sweet potatoes, and black beans… have I mentioned how HEALTHY and nutrient-packed these three ingredients are? Let’s take a look:
Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, all of the B vitamins, and has a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals. Did you know just a 4 oz. portion of chicken breast is 70% of your daily value in protein? There are also so many options- a skinless breast has the least amount of fat, but is pricier, whereas a skin-on thigh has the most, but is cheaper. Sweet potatoes are ridiculously high in vitamin A with 214% of your daily value per a 1-cup serving, which is great for bone growth, eyesight, reproductive health, and immune system health. Their orange color makes them high in vitamin C and beta-carotene, similarly to carrots, which is absorbed better when sweet potatoes are eaten simultaneously with fat (the olive oil in this recipe alone is enough for this benefit). And let’s not forget- their sweetness and texture makes them absolutely DELICIOUS! Black beans are high in folate and fiber, and provide key support for your digestive health. They’re also a high source of plant protein and iron, which makes them key in any plant-based diet. Plus, they’re SO inexpensive!
How to make Chicken Stew with Sweet Potatoes and Black Beans
Just sauté some onions in oil in a large pot, then add stock, tomatoes, black beans, and sweet potatoes, mash up a bit, and add some cooked chicken! It’s SO easy.
Can I use raw chicken instead of cooked?
Absolutely! I love using leftover cooked chicken, such as from a rotisserie from the grocery store, from roasting a whole chicken in my dutch oven, poached chicken breasts, or from leftover roasted chicken thighs. But if you don’t have cooked chicken available, you can use raw chicken without getting another pan dirty! Just add about 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or boneless, skinless thighs, for a cheaper option) to the stew when you add the sweet potatoes. Allow it to cook for about 20 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are cooked AND the chicken is completely cooked through. Then, remove the chicken and shred apart with two forks, and place it back into the stew. Easy peasy!
How to make it in your slow cooker
It’s easy to make this chicken stew in your slow cooker. Just add everything EXCEPT the beans, chicken, and parsley to your crockpot. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8, or until the sweet potatoes are tender. Then mash it up a bit, and add the beans, chicken, and parsley in, and allow everything to heat up for a few more minutes.
Other tips and tricks
This chicken stew freezes beautifully in an airtight container or bag for up to 6 months. When defrosting and reheating, you may want to add a little bit of water or some more chicken broth since it will be extra thick. This meal is already very inexpensive to make, but if you want to make this meal go even further, serve it over a grain like brown rice or quinoa. This is also great if you’re making it for a crowd.
Other recipes with chicken stews and soups
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Green Chicken Curry with Sweet Potatoes and Spinach
Other black bean and sweet potato recipes
Quick and Easy Black Beans and Rice Spicy Quinoa and Black Beans Maple and Rosemary Glazed Sweet Potatoes Smoky Sweet Potato Soup with Bacon and Blue Cheese
