Breakfast Sweet Potato Hash - Quick and Easy

Sweet Potato Hash - A simple breakfast meal made with sweet potatoes, bell peppers, onions, ground chicken, and spices. Savory-sweet, so easy to make and incredibly delicious! It looks like a lot of effort, but it’s really easy!!

Savory, slightly sweet, and packed with ground chicken, bell peppers, and smoky spices all cooked in one pan and ready in 25 minutes. This is the kind of breakfast that keeps everyone full until lunch.

Sweet Potato Hash (Easy One-Pan Breakfast in 25 Minutes)

Sweet Potato Hash is one of the easiest meals to make, especially when you want something quick, tasty, and filling, plus everything cooks in one pan!

I make this for my family regularly, and it disappears every single time. I have even started packing it in my kids' lunchboxes, and they love it just as much at noon as they do first thing in the morning. That kind of versatility is exactly what I look for in a recipe. It works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

They have such a sweet flavor on their own, so you don't need to add brown sugar or honey. This recipe is also very adaptable. I did use ground chicken in this recipe, but I've also used ground beef (so good). You can even use sausage if you like.

If you are a fan of hearty, potato-based breakfast recipes, you will want to bookmark this one alongside my Breakfast Potatoes and Quick and Easy Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes. They are all quick and satisfying one-pan dishes.

Ingredients You Will Need

For the Ground Chicken:

• Olive oil: Used to brown the ground chicken and cook the onions. It adds a subtle richness and prevents sticking.
• Onion: Cooked first until translucent to build the flavor base for the meat. It adds sweetness and depth to the whole dish.
• Ground chicken: The protein in this recipe. It browns quickly, absorbs the spices beautifully, and keeps the dish light without sacrificing any satisfaction. Ground beef, ground turkey, or sausage all work just as well if that is what you have on hand.
• Cayenne pepper: Adds a gentle heat that contrasts beautifully with the natural sweetness of the potatoes. Use more or less depending on your preference.
• Smoked paprika: Brings a deep, smoky warmth to the ground chicken, making the whole dish taste richer and more complex.
• Thyme: Adds a subtle herby note that rounds out the seasoning without overpowering anything else.
• Salt and black pepper: To season the meat properly so every bite is flavorful all the way through.

For the Sweet Potatoes:

• Sweet potatoes: The star of the dish. Any variety works here: white, red, or purple; they all produce great results. Peeling is optional. If you prefer to leave the skin on, simply scrub it thoroughly before cutting.
• Olive oil: Helps the sweet potatoes develop golden, caramelized edges in the pan rather than steaming and becoming soft.
• Smoked paprika: Echoes the seasoning on the ground chicken and ties the whole dish together.
• Salt and black pepper: Season the potatoes as they cook so the flavor builds in rather than being added at the end.
• Bell peppers: A combination of red, yellow, and green for color, sweetness, and a slight crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft sweet potatoes.
• Green onions: Optional but highly recommended. Scattered over the finished dish for a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color.

How to make sweet potato breakfast hash

• Peel and cut the Potatoes - Peeling the potato is optional. If you choose not to peel it, simply wash the skin thoroughly and cut into about a half-inch thickness.
• Brown the ground chicken - Coat the pan with some oil for better browning and use a wooden spoon to break the meat into smaller pieces. Let it brown for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
• Cook the Potatoes - Cook the sweet potatoes until tender. Add the vegetables and ground chicken.
• Serve hot as is or with avocado or any desired accompaniment.

Watch how it's made:

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need to peel the sweet potatoes? Not at all. This is completely personal preference. The skin is nutritious, edible, and crisps up nicely in the pan. If you choose to leave it on, just make sure to scrub the potatoes thoroughly before cutting them.
• Can I make this vegetarian? Yes, easily. Simply leave out the ground chicken entirely and add extra bell peppers, mushrooms, or black beans for substance. The sweet potatoes and spices carry the dish beautifully on their own.
• Can I use a different type of potato? Yes. Regular russet or Yukon Gold potatoes work well. For the russet version, check out my Breakfast Potatoes recipe.
• Can I make this ahead of time? Yes. Cook the full recipe, let it cool completely, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a hot skillet with a small drizzle of oil for 3 to 4 minutes to bring back the texture. The microwave works in a pinch but will soften the potatoes.
• What is the best pan to use? A non-stick or cast iron pan gives you the best results. If you are using a regular stainless steel pan, add a little extra oil to prevent the sweet potatoes from sticking to the bottom as they cook.

What to Serve with Sweet Potato Hash

This dish is a complete meal on its own, but here are some great ways to round out the table:

• Top with a fried or poached egg for extra protein; the runny yolk acts as a sauce over the hash, and it is absolutely delicious.
• Serve alongside my Shakshuka for a bold, flavor-forward brunch spread that covers both sweet and savory.
• Serve with avocado slices and a squeeze of fresh lime juice for a fresh, creamy contrast to the smoky hash.
• A simple green salad on the side makes this work as a light, satisfying lunch or dinner too.

Variations and Substitutions

One of the best things about this recipe is how adaptable it is. Here are some easy swaps depending on what you have or what you need:

• Protein: I used ground chicken in this recipe. You can use ground turkey. Sausage meat adds a bold, spiced punch to sweet potatoes. You can also skip the meat entirely and make this fully vegetarian. It is just as satisfying.
• Sweet potatoes: Any variety works. White, red, and purple sweet potatoes all produce great results with slightly different flavor profiles. You can also use regular russet potatoes if sweet potatoes aren't available, though you will lose that natural sweetness. Check out my Breakfast Potatoes recipe for the russet version.
• Bell peppers: Use any combination of colors you like. Each color brings a slightly different level of sweetness, and they all work well here.
• Spices: This recipe uses a deliberately simple spice blend to let the sweet potato shine. If you want to build on it, cumin, garlic powder, or onion powder are all great additions without overwhelming the dish.
• Pan: A non-stick or cast iron pan works best for this recipe. If you are using a regular pan, add a little extra oil to prevent the sweet potatoes from sticking to the bottom.

Other Potato recipes you might like:

• Quick oven-roasted Potatoes
• Garlic Roasted Potatoes
• Ground beef and potatoes
• Mashed potatoes
• Potatoes and Egg stew
• Stewed Beef Potatoes
• African mashed Potatoes
• Scrambled Eggs and Potatoes Breakfast Muffins
• Quick and Easy Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• A Foolproof Homemade Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Notes:

• I used ground chicken in this recipe; however, you can also use ground beef, ground turkey, or sausage.
• A non-stick pan or cast iron pan works well for this recipe. You can still use a regular pan, but you will need to use more oil in order to keep the potatoes from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Cut the sweet potatoes into even half-inch cubes for consistent cooking. Uneven cuts mean some pieces will be done long before others.
• Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking the sweet potatoes. Give them space to brown rather than steam. Cook in batches if your skillet is not large enough.

Sweet Potato Hash

A simple breakfast meal made with sweet potatoes, bell peppers, onions, ground chicken, and spices. It looks like a lot of effort, but it’s effortless!

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Sweet potatoes

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 328kcal

Ingredients

Ingredients for the Ground Chicken

• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ onion chopped
• 1 lb ground chicken
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon thyme
• salt to taste
• black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon water if necessary
• Ingredients for the Potatoes

Ingredients for the Potatoes

• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 lb sweet potatoes peeled and cut into ½ inch cubes
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 1 cup bell peppers red, yellow, green
• ¼ cup green onions optional

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until translucent.
• Add the ground chicken and use a wooden spoon to break it into smaller pieces. Add cayenne pepper, paprika, thyme, salt, black pepper, and one tablespoon of water if necessary.
• Cook for 5 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink. Remove from the pan and set it aside.
• Add the remaining two tablespoons of olive oil to the same pan. Season the sweet potatoes with paprika, salt, and black pepper, and add them to the skillet. Stir frequently, about every 2 minutes, until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 12 minutes. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil, if needed, to prevent the sweet potatoes from burning.
• Stir in the diced bell peppers and cook for 2 minutes until crisp and tender. Add the cooked ground chicken back to the pan and stir until well combined and heated through.
• Remove from heat and sprinkle some green onions, parsley, or cilantro over it if desired, and serve hot.

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IrlpI9XcCw

Notes

• Cut the sweet potatoes into even half-inch cubes for consistent cooking. Uneven cuts mean some pieces will be done long before others.
• Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking the sweet potatoes. Give them space to brown rather than steam. Cook in batches if your skillet is not large enough.
• Stir the potatoes every 2 minutes rather than constantly. Letting each side sit in contact with the hot pan builds those golden, caramelized edges.
• The ground chicken should be fully cooked before it goes back into the pan with the potatoes. Use a meat thermometer to confirm an internal temperature of 165°F if you are unsure.
• Sweet potatoes vary in size, so adjust your cooking time accordingly. Smaller cubes cook faster. Larger cubes need a few extra minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 328kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 450mg | Potassium: 1259mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 33577IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 2mg

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If you make this Sweet Potato Hash, I’d love to see pictures of your creations on Instagram or Facebook. #cheflolaskitchen