Southwestern Chicken and Sweet Potato Chili

This recipe emphasizes the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes balanced with warm spices and a bright touch of lime at the end.

Yields: 6-8 servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained (or 1 cup frozen corn)  
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
• Juice of 1 lime, plus extra wedges for serving
• Optional garnishes: Chopped cilantro, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, avocado slices, tortilla chips

Equipment:

• Slow cooker (6-quart or larger)

Instructions:

1. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Add the diced sweet potatoes, chopped onion, minced garlic, diced tomatoes (undrained), black beans, and corn to the slow cooker.
2. Add Chicken and Spices: Place the chicken breasts or thighs on top of the vegetables. Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper over the chicken and vegetables.
3. Pour in Broth: Pour the chicken broth over the ingredients in the slow cooker.
4. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sweet potatoes are tender.  
5. Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken.  
6. Stir in Lime Juice and Shredded Chicken: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Stir in the fresh lime juice.
7. Serve: Ladle the chili into bowls. Offer optional garnishes such as chopped cilantro, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, avocado slices, and tortilla chips. Serve with extra lime wedges on the side.

Tips & Variations:

• Spice Level: Adjust the amount of chili powder and cayenne pepper to control the heat. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Protein Swap: Ground chicken or turkey can be browned in a skillet before adding to the slow cooker.
• Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add other vegetables like diced bell peppers, diced tomatoes with green chilies, or chopped celery.
• Smoky Flavor Boost: Add 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (minced) for a smoky and spicy kick.
• Make it Vegetarian: Omit the chicken and add another can of beans (such as kidney or pinto) or crumbled firm tofu for a vegetarian chili.
• Thickening the Chili: If you prefer a thicker chili, you can mash some of the cooked sweet potatoes against the side of the slow cooker or remove a cup of the chili, blend it, and return it to the pot.

Enjoy this comforting and flavorful Southwestern Chicken and Sweet Potato Chili with The hint of lime really brightens up the flavors.