Instant Pot Za'atar Chicken Thighs with Sweetpotatoes, Kale, and Sorghum

Instant Pot Za'atar Chicken Thighs with Sweetpotatoes, Kale, and Sorghum

Serves 6

Ingredients:
6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
1 tablespoon za’atar (see notes)
1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more for sprinkling
1/2 teaspoon pepper, plus more for sprinkling
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 1/2 cups diced yellow onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
2 cups diced orange- or yellow-fleshed sweetpotatoes
1 cup peeled, diced apple
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup whole grain sorghum (see notes)
1 cup water
2 cups packed chopped kale

Instructions:

1. Sprinkle the chicken with the za’atar, salt, and pepper.

2. In an instant pot on the sauté setting, warm 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the chicken skin side down and cook until browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Turn the chicken and brown the other side, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

3. Warm the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in the pot. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the lemon juice and oregano and scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the sweetpotatoes, apple, broth, sorghum, water, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Arrange the chicken, skin side up, on top of the mixture. Secure the lid, making sure that the steam vent is closed. Switch to the pressure cooker setting and cook for 20 minutes.

4. Release the steam valve and open the lid. Remove the chicken and set it aside. Stir the kale into the mixture in the instant pot.

5. Arrange the sweetpotato and sorghum mixture on plates or a platter, top with the chicken, and serve.

Notes: Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend. Look for it in the spice section of your supermarket and at gourmet food stores.

For tips on buying and cooking with sorghum, visit www.simplysorghum.com.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Simply Sorghum

Chicken and Sweetpotato Stew with Scallion Salsa Verde

This stew is a little Latin, a little East Indian, and all yum. The vernal sauce that’s spooned on top—a combo of COOC-certified California extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, scallions, and herbs—provides just the right amount of brightness to complement the hearty stew.

Chicken and Sweetpotato Stew with Scallion Salsa Verde

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:
2 cups chicken broth, or more as desired
1/2 cup uncooked green lentils
6 tablespoons olive oil, ideally COOC-certified California extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 1/4 pounds orange- or yellow-fleshed sweetpotatoes, or a combination, cut into 1-inch dice
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste
1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, thighs, or a combination, cut into 1-inch dice
One 14.5- to 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, drained
1 or 2 limes
2 scallions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 serrano chile, stemmed, seeded, and minced
About 1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream, for serving

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the broth and lentils and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside (the lentils won’t be fully cooked).

2. While the lentils are cooking, in a large saucepan or small stockpot over medium-high heat, warm 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Add the sweetpotatoes, chili powder, coriander, cumin, salt, and black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken and sweetpotatoes are lightly browned, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the garbanzos and the broth and lentil mixture, scraping up any browned bits in the saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to a simmer, and cover. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sweetpotatoes and lentils are tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 12 minutes. (If the mixture seems too thick, add more broth as desired.)

4. Meanwhile, finely zest one of the limes. Squeeze the zested lime and the additional lime if necessary to yield 2 tablespoons of juice. In a small bowl, combine the zest, juice, scallions, cilantro, parsley, chile, and remaining 1/4 cup of oil. Add salt to taste and set aside.

5. Taste the stew and add more salt and/or pepper to taste. Serve garnished with the yogurt and salsa verde, with any remaining salsa verde on the side.

Recipe developed in partnership with the California Olive Oil Council

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Harissa Chicken and Sweetpotato Sheet Pan Supper

It only takes a few ingredients and a single sheet pan to cook up this deeply flavorful dinner, where the earthy spice of harissa—a North African and Middle Eastern red chile paste—is complemented by fresh COOC-certified California extra virgin olive oil, tangy yogurt, and bright herbs.

Harissa Chicken and Sweetpotato Sheet Pan Supper

Serves 4

Ingredients:
2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon harissa paste or sauce, divided (see note)
1/4 cup olive oil, ideally COOC-certified California extra virgin olive oil, divided
4 chicken leg quarters (thigh and drumstick) or 4 legs and 4 bone-in thighs
1 1/2 pounds orange- or yellow-fleshed sweetpotatoes, or a combination, cut into 1-inch dice
1/2 cup plain Greek-style yogurt
Salt to taste
1 lemon, cut into wedges
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, parsley leaves, or small dill sprigs, or a combination

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine 2/3 cup of the harissa and 2 tablespoons of the oil. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, sweetpotatoes, and harissa mixture, tossing to evenly coat. Set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425°F. In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, remaining 1 tablespoon of harissa, and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Add salt to taste and set aside.

3. Transfer the chicken to a large rimmed baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. (Leave the sweetpotatoes in the bowl.)

4. Add the sweetpotatoes to the baking sheet with the chicken and cook until the chicken is cooked through and the sweetpotatoes are tender and browned, about 20 minutes, tossing halfway through.

5. Transfer the chicken and sweetpotatoes to serving plates or a platter if you like. Drizzle the yogurt mixture on top, garnish with the lemon and herbs, and serve. (Alternately, serve the yogurt mixture at the table.)

6. Note: Harissa is a North African and Middle Eastern red chile paste or sauce. Look for it in the ethnic section of supermarkets and at Middle Eastern markets and specialty food stores. Its spiciness can vary from brand to brand—taste the one you buy and, if it seems particularly hot, consider using a little less the first time you make the recipe.

Recipe and photo courtesy of the California Olive Oil Council

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Sausage, Sweetpotato, Sweet Onion, and Apple Roast

A delightful combination of sweet and savory, with a tiny touch of smoky heat. Perhaps best of all, it all cooks up on a single sheet pan, making cleanup almost as simple and satisfying as dinner itself.

Sausage, Sweetpotato, Sweet Onion, and Apple Roast

Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds orange- or yellow-fleshed sweetpotatoes, or a combination, cut into 3/4-inch dice
1 large apple, cored and cut into 3/4-inch dice
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
1 teaspoon dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, or more to taste
2 tablespoons olive or coconut oil
6 pre-cooked chicken sausages (one and one-half 12-ounce packages), cut diagonally into 1/2-inch slices
2 red or green bell peppers, or a combination, cut into 3/4-inch dice
1/2 large or 1 medium Vidalia or other sweet onion, halved (if using a whole onion) and cut into 1/4-inch slices
3 cloves garlic, sliced

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.

2. In a large bowl, combine the sweetpotatoes, apple, paprika, salt, sugar, and cayenne. Add the oil, tossing to coat evenly. Transfer the mixture to a large rimmed baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, tossing halfway through.

3. In the same large bowl, combine the sausages, bell peppers, onion, and garlic. Add the mixture to the baking sheet and cook until the vegetables are tender and lightly browned, about 20 minutes, tossing halfway through. Add more salt and cayenne to taste and serve.

Adapted from a recipe courtesy of Seven Ate Nine

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Sweetpotato and Spicy Hummus Noodle Bowl

Spiralized sweetpotatoes are a great, gluten-free way to enjoy “pasta.” Here, they’re topped with a satisfyingly savory hummus sauce, tons of crunchy veggies, and spicy sesame oil. Yum.

If you don’t have a spiralizer, just finely dice the sweetpotatoes and then boil or steam them until barely tender.

Sweetpotato and Spicy Hummus Noodle Bowl

Serves 6

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons cooking oil
One 14- to 16-ounce package extra firm tofu or 8 ounces chicken, cut into 3/4-inch dice
1 1/4 cups hummus, divided
1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon hot chili sesame oil, plus more for serving
2 1/2 pounds orange- or yellow-fleshed sweetpotatoes, cut into spaghetti-sized noodles with a spiralizer
1 1/2 Persian- or Asian-style cucumbers, thinly sliced, or 3/4 regular cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
6 to 8 radishes, thinly sliced
8 to 10 scallions, thinly sliced
18 to 24 small sprigs cilantro
2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the cooking oil. Add the tofu or chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tofu is well browned, 6 to 8 minutes, or the chicken is cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.

2. While the tofu or chicken is cooking, in a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup of the hummus with the broth, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Set aside.

3. In a large pot of boiling, well-salted water, cook the sweetpotato noodles until al dente, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain, transfer to serving bowls, and drizzle with the hummus mixture.

4. Top with the tofu or chicken, cucumber, radishes, scallions, cilantro, and remaining 1/2 cup of hummus. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds and serve, with more sesame oil alongside.

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Loaded Southwestern Quinoa Sweetpotatoes

Bring your “A” game to the kitchen table and come fully prepared for your guests to be grabbing for seconds with MJ and Hungry Man’s Loaded Southwestern Quinoa Sweetpotatoes. This sweetpotato dish is locked and loaded with chicken, black beans, corn, quinoa  and more! 

Ingredients

8 California sweetpotatoes, washed & scrubbed

1 cup quinoa (I used ½ cup white & ½ cup red)

1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken

1 (15 oz) can low-sodium black beans, rinsed & drained

1 cup frozen corn, thawed

1 (10 oz) can Rotel (diced tomatoes w/ lime juice & cilantro)

1 tsp cumin

½ tsp salt & pepper

1 Tbs fresh lime juice

1 cup Mexican blend cheese

Cilantro for topping

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400ºF. Pierce sweetpotatoes with fork and wrap individually in foil. Bake for 45-50 min, or until fork tender.

1.       In the meanwhile, cook quinoa. Once cooked, add to large mixing bowl along with rest of ingredients, except for cheese and cilantro.

2.       Once potatoes are done, take them out of the oven and wait until they cool slightly, about 5 minutes. (leave the oven on). Slice in half lengthwise and stuff with generous amount of quinoa filling. Top with cheese and place back in the oven and bake until cheese melts, about 5 minutes.

3.       Top with cilantro and more lime juice, if you'd like, and dig in!

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