These Cheesy Italian Chicken and Spinach Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are fast and delicious. The fresh basil, melty gooey cheese and steaming hot chicken and marinara filling is comforting and cozy and at the same time innovative and gourmet tasting!

a stuffed sweet potato from the side with a forkful being lifted out

Table of contents

Why You’ll Love These Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

I’ve been a big sweet potato lover forever and ever. But it wasn’t until a month ago that I realized that I had never shared a great stuffed sweet potatoes recipe with you! I am about to change that today with these cheesy Italian Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with spinach, basil and marinara sauce.

They are made with microwaved potatoes and jarred marinara sauce to speed up the process, making this recipe ready in only 25 minutes! This recipe is a perfect weeknight meal and will be the next recipe to add to your regular rotation.

Want More Sweet Potatoes?

I have shared dozens of sweet potato recipes here on the blog over the years. From Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash to Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili with Sweet Potatoes plus our Sweet Potato Casserole and Sweet Potato Chipotle Soup and even desserts like my Sweet Potato Blondies. I’ve covered a lot of ground about this amazing root veggie! {Pun only slightly intended.} Make sure to dive in with our Ultimate Guide to Sweet Potatoes.

Ingredients For This Recipe

Sweet Potatoes

Try to choose four sweet potatoes that are about the same size and length so that they cook at an even rate.

Olive Oil

To cook the filling you’ll need olive oil. Since you are using the oil for cooking, you do not need to use your best quality olive oil.

Shallot, Oregano and Salt

For seasonings, I used shallot, oregano and salt in the filling. If you do not have shallot, you can use 1/4 cup minced red onion or yellow onion instead.

Ground Chicken or Turkey

I have tested this with chicken and turkey and both are equally great. If it works for your budget, I recommend trying to purchase organic chicken. Health claims on poultry packaging can be deceptive, especially regarding those about antibiotics. You can read more about antibiotics in poultry here.

Baby Spinach

To make this a complete meal I added spinach into the filling increase the veggie servings. Look for prewashed baby spinach that’s free from signs of wilting. It is always best to wash it again before using.

Soak it in cold tap water, then spin it dry in your lettuce spinner.

Purchased Marinara Sauce

To make this as easy as possible, I used purchased marinara sauce for the filling. It is already seasoned well and makes the filling come together super fast!

Part Skim Mozzarella

For the cheese I used pre-shredded part-skim mozzarella. It melts into the filling really well and is only 80 calories per ounce (which is about 30 calories less than full fat cheese.) It makes the texture of the filling so good!

Fresh Chopped Basil

The filling is made with fresh chopped basil. This is really key to the gourmet taste of this recipe. It adds so much fresh Italian flavor to the filling.

Of course if you don’t have any you can skip it altogether. I do not recommend using dried basil in this recipe as the flavor is very different from fresh.

How To Make This Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potato Recipe

Microwave the Sweet Potatoes

Before you start making the filling, you’ll want to get the sweet potatoes going. My favorite way to cook them is in the microwave because it is so much faster than the oven method.

poke sweet potato with a fork to release steam while it microwaves

To allow the steam to escape as they cook in the microwave, poke them all over with a fork.

  • Microwave them for 8 minutes. Then carefully turn them over and microwave them for another 8 to 10 minutes.
  • To check if they are done, use a fork to press into the center of them. If there is any resistance, you can keep microwaving them at 1 to 2 minute intervals.
  • If you do not have a microwave you can bake the sweet potatoes at 350 degrees for 50 minutes to 1 hour. I recommend lining a sheet pan with aluminum foil to bake them on because they tend to weep as they bake. You can follow the instructions here for How To Bake Sweet Potatoes.

Make the Filling

brown the chicken (or turkey) with shallot, salt and oregano in a non-stick skillet

Brown the ground chicken breast (or ground turkey) with the shallot (or onion), oregano and salt in a non-stick skillet.

add the spinach and marinara and cook until the spinach is wilted

Add the marinara and spinach and stir it until the spinach is wilted.

add the basil and 3/4 cup cheese and stir to combine

Add the basil and 3/4 cup of the cheese and stir it until the cheese is completely melted.

Open The Sweet Potatoes

slice a slit along the length of the sweet potato

Slice a slit along the length of the sweet potatoes.

Squeeze the sweet potato skins and pinch the sides of the potatoes (it will be hot so you can use oven mitts if you want.) This will open up the split.

use a fork to fluff up the insides of the sweet potatoes

Fluff up the filling with a fork. This will help the filling settle into the potatoes and as you eat the potato will blend with the filling better.

Add Filling

add the filling to the sweet potatoes

All that’s left is dividing the filling evenly among the sweet potatoes.

Top them with the reserved cheese and if you like a little more basil too.

a platter with four stuffed sweet potatoes on it and a glass of wine

FAQs and Expert Tips For Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

What can I put on a sweet potato?

We love these stuffed sweet potatoes, but if you are looking for more basic ways to top baked sweet potatoes we have a few suggestions for you:
Top them with your favorite taco toppings like black beans, salsa, guacamole and sour cream.
Add a dollop of hummus, chopped black olives, chopped cherry tomatoes and feta cheese.
Stuff with chickpeas and drizzle with our lemon tahini dressing. Top with chopped fresh herbs and parsley.
Add a scoop of chili and top with your favorite shredded cheese, green onions and chopped cilantro.

Can these be made ahead?

The filling for this can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The sweet potatoes can be baked or microwaved and then chilled. Store them covered with plastic wrap or in aluminum foil. Reheat in the microwave until steaming hot. The filling can be heated in the microwave or in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. If possible, do not add the cheese and basil until after the filling is reheated for the best texture and flavor.

Should you poke holes in sweet potatoes before baking?

No. If you are baking the sweet potatoes in the oven you do not need to poke holes in them. It is only necessary to do so for cooking them in the microwave.

More Stuffed Vegetable Recipes

side view of cheesy stuffed spaghetti squash with cheese pull

Italian Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Boats
low carb mexican stuffed peppers on a white platter

Low Carb Mexican Stuffed Peppers
swiss chard rolls in a skillet, one is on a plate and another is being lifted up on a slotted spoon

Swiss Chard Rolls
stuffed mushrooms topped with breadcrumbs in a baking dish

Healthy Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe with Spinach and Goat Cheese

Thanks so much for reading. If you are new here, you may want to sign up for my free weekly email newsletter where I share weeknight meal plans delivered right to your inbox. Or follow me on Instagram. If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It is very appreciated. Happy Cooking! ~Katie

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
side view of stuffed sweet potato. A forkful of the filling is begin lifted up and there is a lot of melted cheese

Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

★★★★★

5 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Katie
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
Print Recipe

Description

These Italian Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are super fast because the sweet potatoes are cooked in the microwave. The cheesy chicken and marinara filling is made with spinach and basil and both comforting and gourmet tasting! 

Ingredients

Scale

4 sweet potatoes

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 shallot, minced

3/4 pound ground chicken or turkey

1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 cups baby spinach

1 cup marinara sauce

1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella, divided

1/4 cup basil, chopped plus more for serving

Instructions

  1. Pierce potatoes with a fork all over. Microwave 8 minutes. Carefully turn potatoes over and continue microwaving 8 to 10 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when tested with a fork.
  2. Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallot, chicken, oregano and salt and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon until the chicken is no longer pink. Add spinach and marinara and cook, stirring until the spinach is wilted, the chicken is cooked through and the mixture is bubbling hot. Stir in 3/4 cup cheese and 1/4 cup basil.
  3. Split the potatoes open with a knife. Squeeze the sides to open up the slit. Use caution as they will be very hot! Use a fork to fluff up the insides. Spoon the chicken mixture into the potatoes and top with the remaining ? cup cheese. Sprinkle with additional basil before serving. 

Notes

To Bake Sweet Potatoes in the Oven

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with foil. Place the sweet potatoes on the foil. (No need to poke with fork.)

Bake 50 minutes to 1 hour. To test if the sweet potatoes are done, try pressing a fork into the flesh. If it slides in without resistance, it is done. 

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 16 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stove Top and Microwave
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 stuffed sweet potato
  • Calories: 437
  • Sugar: 11 g
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 55 g
  • Fiber: 10 g
  • Protein: 33 g

Keywords: Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes,Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Spinach, Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Turkey

Did you make this recipe?

Make sure you come back to the recipe post to leave a star rating and review.