I absolutely love this Slow Cooker Loaded Enchilada Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe because it’s the perfect combination of cozy comfort and bold flavors, all without overcomplicating your day. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you go about your routine, and when you come back, you’ve got this warm, hearty meal ready to dive into. It’s one of those recipes that feels like a special treat but is surprisingly simple to pull off.
When I first tried this, I was blown away by how the sweet potatoes soak up the enchilada sauce, creating a perfect balance between savory and sweet that just sings in every bite. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or looking for an effortless dinner to feed the family, you’ll find that this Slow Cooker Loaded Enchilada Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe hits the spot every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-Off Cooking: Let your slow cooker do the work while you relax or handle other tasks.
- Flavorful & Nutritious: The combination of sweet potatoes, chicken, and enchilada sauce packs a punch of vitamins, protein, and comfort.
- Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for this meal—it’s filling and great for picky eaters with its mild but satisfying spice.
- Easy Cleanup: Since it’s mostly done in one slow cooker, you avoid the mess of multiple pots and pans.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients work beautifully together to create layers of flavor and a hearty meal that feels indulgent yet wholesome. When shopping, look for firm, medium-sized sweet potatoes to ensure they cook evenly alongside the chicken.
- Sweet potatoes: Medium-sized and with skin on for nutrients and structure; wrapping in foil locks in moisture.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Lean protein that shreds easily after slow cooking, soaking up the enchilada sauce flavors.
- Kosher salt: For seasoning the chicken just right without overpowering.
- Garlic powder: Adds a subtle savory depth to the chicken.
- Enchilada sauce: I recommend using homemade if possible—homemade truly elevates the dish with fresh, bold flavor.
- Chopped scallions: Adds a fresh, mild onion kick when serving.
- Light sour cream or Greek yogurt: A cool, creamy garnish that balances the spices.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts perfectly under the broiler for a gooey finish.
- Chopped cilantro or additional scallions: For a bright, fresh garnish at the end.
Variations
I love to mix things up depending on my mood or what’s in the pantry, and you should feel free to make this Slow Cooker Loaded Enchilada Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe your own. You’ll see just how versatile this base recipe can be with a few tweaks.
- Spicy kick: I sometimes add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne to the slow cooker for those who want a little heat.
- Cheese swap: Try pepper jack or a Mexican cheese blend for varied cheesy layers.
- Vegetarian option: Replace chicken with roasted black beans and corn; it’s still satisfying and perfect for Meatless Mondays.
- Additional toppings: Avocado slices or a squeeze of fresh lime juice add great freshness right before serving.
How to Make Slow Cooker Loaded Enchilada Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Sweet Potatoes and Chicken
Start by washing and drying your sweet potatoes well since you’ll be cooking them with the skins on. Wrapping each potato individually in foil helps steam them perfectly without drying out. For the chicken, season with kosher salt and garlic powder—simple seasonings that bring out the natural flavors without overpowering. Place the chicken on one side of the slow cooker and drizzle with a quarter cup of your enchilada sauce to infuse every bite with that signature enchilada taste.
Step 2: Slow Cook It All Together
Stack the foil-wrapped sweet potatoes on the other side of the slow cooker—two on the bottom and two on top if needed. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. The beauty here is the slow, gentle heat lets the potatoes steam to tender perfection while the chicken cooks in flavorful sauce. Check that your potatoes are tender by piercing them with a fork; if it slides in easily, they’re ready to go.
Step 3: Shred the Chicken and Assemble
Once everything is cooked, carefully remove the potatoes and chicken from the crockpot. Transfer the chicken to a bowl and shred it with two forks—it’s amazingly tender and juicy at this point. Mix in the remaining enchilada sauce for extra sauciness. Then, slice open each sweet potato and stuff it generously with about two-thirds of a cup of the enchilada chicken.
Step 4: Melt the Cheese and Garnish
Sprinkle a tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese over each stuffed potato half and pop them under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly—watch closely to avoid burning! Finally, top each with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of chopped scallions or cilantro. These finishing touches add freshness that brings the whole dish together.
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Loaded Enchilada Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Potato Size Matters: Choose similar-sized sweet potatoes so they cook evenly together in the slow cooker.
- Don’t Skip the Foil: Wrapping each sweet potato in foil really helps steam them perfectly without drying out the skin.
- Broil Cheese Carefully: Keep a close eye on the potatoes under the broiler—cheese can go from melted to burnt in seconds!
- Shred While Warm: Shredding the chicken while it’s still warm makes the process quicker and results in juicier pieces.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Loaded Enchilada Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a big fan of topping these with a generous dollop of sour cream or tangy Greek yogurt because it cools down the spice and adds a creamy texture. Fresh chopped scallions or cilantro really brighten things up and add a little crunch—plus, they make the dish look super appetizing. Sometimes I even add a squeeze of lime juice for an extra pop of freshness.
Side Dishes
To keep the meal balanced and satisfying, I like to serve this with simple sides like a crisp green salad or roasted veggies. Mexican street corn salad or a light avocado salad also pair wonderfully and complement the enchilada flavors. If you want something heartier, black beans or a quinoa salad are great picks.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I’ve served these stuffed sweet potatoes on a colorful platter topped with extra cilantro and sliced limes on the side for guests to customize. You can also cut the potatoes into rounds after stuffing and broiling, making bite-sized appetizers for parties. It’s fun and visually appealing, turning a simple meal into something a bit more festive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge, keeping the shredded chicken and sweet potatoes separate if possible to avoid sogginess. They stay good for up to 3 days and reheat beautifully without losing much texture or flavor—perfect for those busy weekday lunches.
Freezing
I’ve successfully frozen the shredded enchilada chicken alone in portion-sized bags, which thaws quickly in the fridge and reheats easily on the stove or microwave. I don’t recommend freezing the whole stuffed sweet potato assembled, as the texture of the potato changes after freezing and thawing; it’s best to freeze components separately if you want to prep ahead.
Reheating
When reheating, I like to warm the chicken gently in a pan with a splash of water or enchilada sauce to keep it moist. For the potatoes, popping them wrapped lightly in foil into a 350°F oven for 15 minutes revives their tender texture without drying them out. Finish off with a quick broil with cheese again if you want to recapture that fresh-from-the-oven feeling.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will add a bit more richness and moisture, which some people prefer. Just adjust the cooking time as thighs might cook slightly faster, so check for tenderness around 5 to 6 hours on low to avoid overcooking.
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Is it necessary to wrap the sweet potatoes in foil?
Wrapping sweet potatoes in foil helps steam them inside the slow cooker, keeping them moist and tender. While it’s not 100% required, I’ve found that not using foil can lead to drier skins and uneven cooking, so I highly recommend it for best results.
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Can I make enchilada sauce from scratch for this slow cooker recipe?
Yes! Homemade enchilada sauce is delicious and fresh-tasting. Making your own allows you to control the spice level and flavor depth, which really shines through in this recipe. If you’re short on time, store-bought works fine too.
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How do I know when the chicken is cooked through in the slow cooker?
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F and shred easily when done. Cooking it alongside the potatoes for 6 to 8 hours on low is usually perfect, but if you have a food thermometer, you can check to be sure.
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Can this recipe be doubled for a crowd?
It can, but depending on the size of your slow cooker, you might need to cook in batches or a larger cooker. Just be sure not to overcrowd it—air circulation is key for even cooking.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Loaded Enchilada Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it combines simplicity with satisfying flavors that everyone loves. It’s one of those meals you can rely on when you want a nourishing, no-fuss dinner that tastes like you spent hours making it. I wholeheartedly recommend giving this recipe a try — I’m confident you’ll find it as comforting and delicious as my family and I do!
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-American
Description
These Slow Cooker Loaded Enchilada Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are a comforting, flavorful, and easy one-pot meal featuring tender shredded chicken cooked in enchilada sauce served atop baked sweet potatoes, topped with melted cheese, sour cream, and fresh scallions or cilantro for a perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and savory flavors.
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
Sauce and Toppings
- 1 cup enchilada sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/4 cup light sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped scallions and/or cilantro (for garnish)
- Chopped scallions (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Wash and dry the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Wrap each potato individually in foil to ensure even cooking in the slow cooker.
- Season Chicken: Season the boneless skinless chicken breasts with kosher salt and garlic powder. Place the chicken on one end of the slow cooker and cover it with 1/4 cup of enchilada sauce to infuse flavor.
- Arrange in Slow Cooker: Place the foil-wrapped sweet potatoes on the opposite end of the slow cooker, stacking two on top of two. This setup allows simultaneous cooking of chicken and potatoes.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and the chicken is fully cooked and easy to shred.
- Shred Chicken: Carefully remove the chicken and potatoes from the slow cooker. Transfer the chicken to a bowl and shred it roughly using two forks. Add the remaining enchilada sauce to the shredded chicken and mix well.
- Prepare Potatoes: Split open each sweet potato lengthwise. Top each half with approximately 2/3 cup of the shredded enchilada chicken mixture.
- Broil with Cheese: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken-topped potato halves. Place under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese melts and bubbles slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from broiler and garnish each potato half with 1 tablespoon of light sour cream or Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of chopped scallions and/or cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe combines the convenience of slow cooking with the classic flavors of enchiladas, making it an easy, nutritious, and delicious one-pot meal.
- You can substitute Greek yogurt for light sour cream to reduce fat content and increase protein.
- To boost spice level, add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the enchilada sauce before cooking.
- Leftover stuffed sweet potatoes can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in an oven or microwave.
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 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 101.5 mg