If you’re craving a comforting, hearty meal that feels like a warm hug, you’ll absolutely adore this Slow Cooker Loaded Enchilada Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that’s ridiculously simple to throw together yet manages to pack in so much flavor and satisfaction. Whether you’re new to slow cooking or a seasoned pro, this recipe will win you over with juicy enchilada-spiced chicken, tender sweet potatoes, and melty cheese bliss—plus, it’s all done in one pot! Grab your slow cooker, and let me show you exactly how to nail this dinner your family will rave about.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks together in your slow cooker, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor melding.
- Juicy, Flavor-Packed Chicken: The chicken soaks up the enchilada sauce perfectly, giving you tender, shredded bites every time.
- Sweet & Savory Combo: The natural sweetness of the potatoes balances the spicy, cheesy chicken – it’s pure magic.
- Family Friendly & Easy: Busy weeknight? This slow cooker meal lets you set it and forget it, so you can relax while dinner cooks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple ingredients come together to create a dish that’s both familiar and packed with flavor. When I shop, I try to pick firm sweet potatoes that aren’t too big so they cook evenly in the slow cooker.
- Sweet potatoes: Choose medium, firm sweet potatoes for a perfect balance between creamy flesh and sturdy skin.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: I like breasts because they shred nicely and soak up the enchilada sauce beautifully.
- Kosher salt: Helps season the chicken evenly—important for flavor depth.
- Garlic powder: Adds subtle warmth without overpowering the dish.
- Enchilada sauce: I prefer homemade if I have time, but a good-quality store-bought version works great too.
- Chopped scallions: These bring freshness and a little crunch as a topping.
- Light sour cream or Greek yogurt: A creamy dollop elevates the stuffed potatoes and balances the spices.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melted cheese is non-negotiable here—go with sharp cheddar for extra flavor.
- Cilantro (optional): If you love that herbaceous kick, it brightens the finish fantastically.
Variations
I love experimenting with this recipe depending on what’s in my fridge or what flavors I’m craving. Feel free to adapt it to your taste buds—you’ll find it’s pretty forgiving and flexible.
- Make it spicy: Add chopped jalapeños or sprinkle some chili powder into the chicken mix for a fiery kick—I tried this once and my family couldn’t get enough!
- Dairy-free version: Swap the cheese and sour cream for dairy-free alternatives or avocado slices to keep it creamy and allergy-friendly.
- Different protein: Ground turkey or shredded beef works too if you want a change from chicken.
- Extra veggies: Throw in some black beans, corn, or diced bell peppers with the chicken in the slow cooker for more texture and nutrition.
How to Make Slow Cooker Loaded Enchilada Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Sweet Potatoes
Wash and dry your sweet potatoes thoroughly. I always use a vegetable brush because I want to get rid of any dirt since we’ll keep the skins on—they add great texture and nutrients. Wrap each potato individually in foil; this helps them cook evenly without drying out in the slow cooker.
Step 2: Season and Load the Chicken
Place the chicken breasts on one end of your slow cooker and season with kosher salt and garlic powder. Pour about 1/4 cup of your enchilada sauce over the chicken. This coating is what will make the chicken juicy and flavorful as it cooks. I’ve learned that layering the sauce on early prevents dry, bland bites.
Step 3: Add the Sweet Potatoes and Cook
Stack your foil-wrapped sweet potatoes on the other side of the slow cooker, placing two on the bottom and two on top. Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. This low-and-slow cooking method lets the chicken tenderize nice and gentle while the potatoes get soft and fork-tender. You can start this in the morning and come home to a ready-to-go dinner!
Step 4: Shred the Chicken and Assemble
Once done, remove the chicken and potatoes from the slow cooker. Use two forks to shred the chicken roughly, then mix it with the remaining enchilada sauce to keep it moist and saucy. Split open each sweet potato right down the middle, then heap about 2/3 cup of the enchilada chicken on top of each half.
Step 5: Melt the Cheese and Garnish
Sprinkle a tablespoon of cheddar cheese over each topped sweet potato half and pop them under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes—watch closely, it only takes a moment to melt and bubble to cheesy perfection. Finish with a generous dollop of light sour cream or Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of chopped scallions or cilantro for fresh flavor and a vibrant look.
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Loaded Enchilada Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Foil Wrapping Is Key: Wrapping the sweet potatoes in foil traps moisture and prevents them from drying out, ensuring a tender, creamy interior.
- Layer Your Sauces: Pouring some enchilada sauce both under and over the chicken keeps it juicy all day long.
- Broil at the End: Melting the cheese under the broiler adds a crispy, bubbly finish that takes the dish from good to “wow!”
- Don’t Overcrowd the Slow Cooker: Giving space for heat to circulate helps your chicken cook evenly and your potatoes soften perfectly.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Loaded Enchilada Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these potatoes with a cool dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt — they mellow out the spices and add creaminess. Fresh scallions add a nice bite and pop of color, while cilantro brings that fresh, herbaceous note that complements the enchilada flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
To keep things simple and balanced, I often serve this with a crisp green salad or steamed veggies like broccoli or green beans. Sometimes a side of Mexican rice or black beans rounds out the meal nicely if you want to bulk it up.
Creative Ways to Present
If I’m serving company or want to make it a bit fancy, I like to slice the stuffed potatoes into bite-sized pieces and arrange them on a platter with colorful garnishes—think radish slices, diced avocado, or a drizzle of crema. It turns a casual meal into a festive spread in no time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers are fantastic! I store the enchilada chicken separately from the sweet potatoes in airtight containers in the fridge. This keeps the potatoes from becoming soggy and lets me reheat each component just right.
Freezing
I’ve frozen the shredded chicken mixture successfully, but I recommend freezing the potatoes separately only if they’re wrapped tightly to avoid freezer burn—otherwise, they’re best fresh. When freezing, label your containers with dates and try to use within 2-3 months.
Reheating
I reheat the chicken in a microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or sauce to keep it juicy. For the leftovers, I heat the sweet potatoes in the oven (wrapped in foil) to keep the skin slightly crispy, then add chicken and cheese afterward for a quick broil if I want melted cheese on top again.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?
Yes! You can use frozen chicken breasts straight from the freezer, but expect the cooking time to be on the longer end of the range (closer to 8 hours on low) to ensure the chicken cooks through fully and shreds easily.
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What kind of enchilada sauce should I use?
Homemade enchilada sauce works wonderfully if you have a good recipe (I often make mine with chili powder, tomato sauce, and spices), but a quality store-bought red enchilada sauce is totally fine and super convenient without sacrificing flavor.
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Can I cook this recipe in a pressure cooker instead?
You sure can! Using a pressure cooker or Instant Pot can speed things up considerably—set it for about 25 minutes on high pressure, then do a natural release. Just be sure to wrap the sweet potatoes in foil as usual.
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Is this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! All the ingredients here are naturally gluten-free, but double-check the label on your enchilada sauce and any packaged ingredients to make sure there’s no hidden gluten.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Loaded Enchilada Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe has become one of my go-to meals for busy days when I want something comforting but effortless. I love how everything cooks up with minimal hands-on time yet delivers big on flavor and family appeal. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll find yourself making it again and again, whether for weeknight dinners or casual weekend lunches. So, fire up that slow cooker and dive in—you’re going to love the magic this recipe brings to your table!
PrintSlow Cooker Loaded Enchilada Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
These Slow Cooker Loaded Enchilada Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal combining tender slow-cooked chicken breast, smoky enchilada sauce, melted cheddar cheese, and creamy sour cream, all served atop perfectly cooked sweet potatoes. Easy to prepare and packed with nutrients, this dish is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 medium sweet potatoes (about 6 oz each), skin on
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup enchilada sauce (homemade recommended)
Toppings
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup light sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Chopped scallions (for serving)
- 1 tablespoon chopped scallions and/or cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Wash and dry the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Wrap each potato individually in aluminum foil to keep them moist and tender during slow cooking.
- Season Chicken: Season the boneless skinless chicken breasts evenly with kosher salt and garlic powder. Place the chicken on one end of the slow cooker and cover with 1/4 cup of the enchilada sauce to infuse flavor.
- Arrange Potatoes: Place the foil-wrapped sweet potatoes on the other end of the slow cooker, stacking two on top of two to maximize space without disturbing the chicken.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and set to low. Cook for 6 to 8 hours, or until the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Shred Chicken: Once cooked, carefully remove the potatoes and chicken from the slow cooker. Transfer the chicken to a bowl and shred using two forks. Mix the shredded chicken with the remaining 3/4 cup of enchilada sauce for full flavor.
- Prepare Potatoes for Topping: Split open each sweet potato lengthwise. Spoon approximately 2/3 cup of the shredded enchilada chicken onto each half for a generous filling.
- Melt Cheese: Drizzle about 1 tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese over each loaded sweet potato half. Place them under a broiler for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely until the cheese melts and bubbles slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the broiler and top each potato with 1 tablespoon of light sour cream or Greek yogurt. Finish with chopped scallions and/or cilantro for a fresh, vibrant garnish. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe makes an easy, all-in-one slow cooker meal, minimizing prep and cleanup.
- You can use homemade or store-bought enchilada sauce based on your preference.
- For a spicier kick, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of chili powder to the chicken before cooking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Using light sour cream or Greek yogurt reduces calories while still providing creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed sweet potato
- Calories: 413 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 810 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 101.5 mg