Skillet Sweet Potato Chicken Hash with Eggs

I love sweet potatoes.

When I was a kid they were always a holiday treat. Maple Glazed for Thanksgiving, plain baked for Easter to go with the ham, and whichever one worked at Christmas.

We never had them at any other time of year.

When we first moved to this side of the pond I would find them occasionally in the exotic food section. I bought them whenever I could. Now they are almost always available. In summer they are great on the grill; in winter we like them as oven fries, roasted or baked.

This author said she was going to write about cast iron skillets – but I was also sold on the sweet potato recipe.

Read on:

Skillet Sweet Potato Chicken Hash with Eggs

Sweet potato hash with chicken and eggs, served up in your cast iron skillet, the perfect breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner… This is a meal that’s perfect anytime!

This recipe serves 4 people.

Ingredients

• 2 large chicken breasts (about 12-14 oz total weight)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, cored, seeded, and diced (any color)
• 3 cups raw sweet potato, peeled and cubed (about 2-3 medium)
• ¾ tsp dried thyme (or 2 tsp fresh)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp ground cumin
• Scant ¼ cup water
• 4 eggs
• 1 tbsp fresh chives, parsley, or cilantro (optional, for serving)

Method

First, cook your chicken by putting the chicken breast in a pot of salted water (the chicken should be covered by at least 2 inches).

Bring the water to a boil, and cook for 5-7 minutes, or till the chicken is cooked through. You’ll know your chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F. Temperature is the best way to make sure your chicken not undercooked (of course, if you boil it for at least 7 minutes, it should be fine).

Remove the chicken from the pot and put onto a plate. Shred with a fork. Empty the water from the pan, pop the chicken back into the pan, cover, and set aside.

Now prepare the hash. Over medium heat, heat a large skillet (at least 10 inches wide). Sauté the onion in the butter or olive oil for about 2 minutes. Add the diced sweet pepper and sauté for another 3 minutes.

Add the cubed sweet potatoes, the herbs, and the spices. Stir well to combine, adding in a scant ¼ cup water (add a little at a time. You might not need that much water).

Cover and let the potato mixture cook, occasionally stirring, for about 10 minutes.

Add the chicken and let cook for a further 2 minutes, uncovered.

Now your chicken and hash mixture is ready for the eggs. Make 4 wells, and crack an egg into each one. Add salt and pepper (if using), and cover.

Let your skillet cook until the eggs are set, about 5 minutes. If you prefer your yolks to be runny, this should be enough time. Otherwise, let cook till the yolks are as firm as you like.

Top with fresh herbs and serve!

Recipe FAQs

What exactly is hash?

Hash comes from the French verb ‘hacher’, which means ‘to chop’. A hash is a dish comprised of chopped meat, potatoes, and onions that are fried together.

In the 1860s, a cheap restaurant was referred to as a ‘hash house’ or ‘hashery’. Hash dishes often came in many different forms, depending on what meats were available.

Which is healthier: sweet potato or white potato?

Both potatoes are a healthy source of carbohydrates, and both kinds will work well in this recipe. The main difference is the taste as well as the fact that sweet potatoes are slightly lower on the glycemic index than white potatoes.

What else could I use instead of sweet potato?

Eggplant would work well with this recipe, as would carrots, butternut squash, or brussels sprouts. The key ingredients are the spices and the eggs!

Anything else I could add to this recipe?

You could add any of these:

• a pinch of chili powder
• a handful of capers
• ½ tsp grated ginger (or more!)
• Some Parmesan cheese on top
• A pinch of red pepper flakes

What if I don’t want to use chicken?

If you want different sources of protein instead of the chicken, try one of these:

• Pulled pork
• 2 cups chickpeas
• 1 ½ cups beans (any kind)
• Ricotta cheese
• Plant-based cheese

Are eggs really good for you?

Eggs are a healthy, low-fat source of protein. Eggs are also low in calories compared to other protein sources, and they also provide choline, which helps the liver eliminate fat.

Enjoy your skillet sweet potato chicken hash with eggs!