Chicken Sweet Potato Curry – Easy Fall Dinner Recipe
I still remember the first time I made this fall dinner sweet potato curry on a crisp autumn evening. The house smelled of sizzling garlic and ginger, the kind of aroma that makes you want to curl up with a warm bowl in your hands. As the curry stew chicken bubbled away with sweet potatoes and coconut milk, the flavors transformed into pure comfort. Each bite was tender chicken, creamy sauce, and perfectly soft cubes of sweet potato.
This dish has quickly become one of my favorite wholesome dinners. It’s hearty enough for a cozy night in, healthy enough for meal prep, and versatile enough to make as stovetop curry or even as one of those satisfying crockpot meals with sweet potatoes.
Chicken Sweet Potato Curry
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add cubed chicken and cook until golden brown, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté onion until soft. Add garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in sweet potato, bell pepper, red curry paste, cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Cook for 2–3 minutes to toast spices.
- Pour in diced tomatoes and coconut milk. Scrape any browned bits from the pot to deglaze.
- Return chicken to the pot. Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve with rice or naan.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Sweet Potato Curry
This recipe goes beyond a simple curry — it’s the ultimate comfort food:
- All-in-one meal – A perfect chicken veggie curry with protein, carbs, and veggies simmered together.
- Healthy balance – A naturally creamy dish that counts as one of the best chicken and sweet potatoes healthy options.
- Perfect for fall – The rich spices, coconut milk, and sweet potato base make it the ideal easy chicken and sweet potato dinner for chilly nights.
- Flexible cooking methods – Great on the stovetop, but also works as a crock pot sweet potato stew.
- Meal prep friendly – Flavors deepen over time, making it perfect for leftovers.
Ingredients for Chicken Sweet Potato Curry
| Ingredient | Amount | Substitution Tip |
| Olive oil | 1 tbsp | Try coconut oil for extra flavor |
| Chicken breasts/thighs | 1 lb, cubed | Thighs give juicier texture |
| Sweet potato | 1 large, cubed | Swap with butternut squash for fall |
| Onion | 1, chopped | Yellow or red both work |
| Garlic | 2 cloves, minced | Add more if you like bold flavors |
| Fresh ginger | 1 tbsp | Ground ginger if needed |
| Red bell pepper | 1, chopped | Add zucchini or carrots for more sweet potato dishes meals |
| Diced tomatoes | 14.5 oz can | Fire-roasted for smoky flavor |
| Coconut milk (full-fat) | 13.5 oz can | Light coconut milk for lower fat |
| Red curry paste | 2 tbsp | Adjust for spice level |
| Ground cumin | 1 tsp | Boosts depth of flavor |
| Ground coriander | 1 tsp | Adds warmth |
| Turmeric | ½ tsp | Bright golden color |
| Salt & pepper | To taste | Adjust at the end |
| Cilantro | Fresh, chopped | Optional garnish |
| Cooked rice/naan | For serving | Jasmine rice or garlic naan recommended |
How to Make Chicken Sweet Potato Curry Step by Step
- Sear the chicken – Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add chicken and cook until golden brown, about 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics – Add onion, then garlic and ginger until fragrant.
- Add veggies & spices – Stir in sweet potato, bell pepper, curry paste, cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Toast 2–3 minutes.
- Simmer the sauce – Pour in diced tomatoes and coconut milk. Scrape any browned bits.
- Combine everything – Return chicken to the pot. Cover and simmer 20–25 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender.
- Final touch – Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with cilantro. Serve with rice or naan.
This method also works perfectly for crock pot sweet potato stew — just sauté aromatics first, then let everything cook on LOW for 5–6 hours.
How to Serve Chicken Sweet Potato Curry
- Classic: Serve over jasmine or basmati rice for an easy chicken and sweet potato dinner.
- With naan: Garlic naan is perfect for scooping up creamy sauce.
- Low-carb: Pair with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for lighter wholesome dinners.
- Fall twist: Garnish with roasted pumpkin seeds for seasonal flair.
- Party style: Serve family-style with sides of chutney or yogurt.
How to Perfect Chicken Sweet Potato Curry
- Boost spice: Add extra curry paste or chili flakes.
- Sweeter balance: Stir in a touch of honey if tomatoes are too acidic.
- Creamier texture: Add a splash of coconut cream at the end.
- Meal prep hack: Double the recipe to create multiple sweet potato dishes meals for the week.
- Slow cooker version: Brown chicken first, then add to your crockpot meals with sweet potatoes setup for hands-off cooking.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcooking chicken: Sear quickly, then finish cooking gently in sauce.
- Skipping spice toasting: Curry paste and spices need heat to bloom.
- Thin sauce: Avoid only using light coconut milk — full fat gives body.
- Uneven potato cubes: Cut evenly for consistent cooking.
- Adding cilantro early: Always garnish fresh at the end.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
| Storage Method | How To | Shelf Life |
| Refrigerator | Store cooled curry in airtight container | 3–4 days |
| Freezer | Freeze in bags or containers | Up to 3 months |
| Reheating | Stovetop or microwave, add splash of coconut milk or broth | Until hot |
This makes it one of the best crockpot meals with sweet potatoes for batch cooking and freezing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes, swap chicken with chickpeas or tofu.
Does red curry paste make it too spicy?
It’s medium heat. Start with less and add more.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes, it tastes even better the next day. Perfect for meal prep wholesome dinners.
What rice pairs best?
Jasmine or basmati for fragrance, or brown rice for extra fiber.
Can I slow cook it?
Yes! It becomes a hearty crock pot sweet potato stew with minimal effort.
Conclusion
This chicken sweet potato curry is the kind of recipe that makes fall evenings unforgettable. It’s cozy, healthy, and versatile enough to serve as stovetop curry, quick weeknight dinner, or even a crockpot sweet potato stew. If you’re craving easy chicken and sweet potato dinners that double as wholesome meals, this dish is about to become a family favorite.
Save this recipe on Pinterest now you’ll thank yourself later when the craving for comfort food strikes.
