A one-skillet dinner that’s healthy, easy AND flavorful?! That’s right, this cheesy chicken, sweet potato and kale skillet meal is nutritious and delicious, just the way a busy weeknight meal should be!

Easily one of my go-to meals lately, my savory chicken and sweet potato recipe is packed with kale, veggies and protein.

There’s a lot of talk about perimenopause lately, so I wanted to create a dish that is not only perfect for busy families, but also something to help support those feeling like they might be entering perimenopause in their 30s and 40s. Heck, it’s a great recipe for menopause too! I love how healthy and balanced this meal is!

Ingredients for Healthy Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet

• Chicken Breasts: Main protein; provides heartiness, structure, and a mild flavor that carries the spices.
• Salt and Pepper: Core seasonings; salt enhances natural flavors, while pepper adds gentle heat and balance.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds smoky depth and warmth without spiciness, complementing the bacon and sweet potatoes.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Brings a touch of heat to brighten the dish and balance the sweetness of the potato.
• Bacon: Adds savory richness, smokiness, and a crisp texture that contrasts with tender chicken and vegetables.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing; carries flavors, prevents sticking, and adds a subtle fruitiness.
• Garlic: Infuses the skillet with aromatic depth, boosting the savory base of the dish.
• Sweet Potato: Adds natural sweetness, creaminess, and substance, balancing the spice and savory flavors.
• Chicken Broth: Keeps the skillet moist, helps cook the sweet potatoes, and builds a flavorful base.
• Kale: Provides a slightly bitter, earthy contrast, plus color, texture, and nutrients.
• Lemon: Adds brightness and acidity at the end, cutting through richness and making flavors pop.
• Parmesan: Adds a salty, nutty finish that melts into the skillet for extra umami and richness.

How to Make Chicken Kale Skillet

1. Prep the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces and season with all the seasonings.
2. Cook the Bacon: Cook the chopped bacon in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Remove to a plate.

Eating high-protein meals doesn’t have to be complicated — and this roundup proves it. Whether you’re trying to stay full longer, build muscle, manage cravings, or simply eat more balanced meals, these high-protein recipes deliver big flavor with real, satisfying nutrition.

You’ll find easy weeknight dinners, make-ahead lunches, quick breakfasts, and protein-packed snacks that all taste delicious and come together with simple ingredients. These delicious recipes make it easy to hit your protein goals without sacrificing flavor.

High-Protein Breakfast Bowls & Savory Meals

These savory high-protein breakfasts are filling, balanced, and perfect for starting the day energized. Each recipe packs a strong protein boost while keeping ingredients simple and fresh.

High-Protein Pancakes, Waffles & Mu

If you’ve ever found yourself craving that tender, flavorful Cafe Rio shredded chicken, you’re in the right place! This slow cooker recipe makes it easy to have those bold, zesty flavors right at home—without the takeout line. It’s family-friendly, perfect for meal prep, and honestly one of the easiest ways to feed a crowd.

This chicken dinner recipe is one of those life saver crock pot (slow cooker) recipes. I love that you can throw everything together in less than 5 minutes, let it cook all day and then feel like a hero as you serve it to your family for dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Cafe Rio Chicken

• Hands-off crock pot recipe – take 5 minutes to throw all the ingredients in the crockpot, set it and walk away
• Just a few pantry ingredients – only 5 ingredients needed!
• Freezer-friendly & great for meal prep – freeze for another meal or eat it throughout the week
• Works in tacos, burritos, salads, and more – so versatile!
• Copycat flavor at a fraction of the price – restaurant prices are insane these days, so I try to make more restaurant copycats at home
• Great for a crowd or to share with a neighbor – It’s a great dinner idea to take to someone who may need a family friendly meal.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Cafe Rio Chicken

You only need 5 ingredients to make this delicious chicken recipe! And you literally toss it all in the slow cooker let it cook. Here is the ingredients list:

• Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing: Acts as the flavorful marinade base. The vinegar tenderizes the chicken while the herbs and spices infuse it with that bold, tangy punch Cafe Rio chicken is known for. Avoid the fat free dressing.
• Cumin: Adds a warm, earthy depth and a hint of smokiness that balances the tangy dressing.
• Chili Powder: Brings mild heat and layers of chili pepper flavor, making the chicken savory and robust without being overly spicy.
• Garlic: Boosts the savory notes and gives the chicken that aromatic, crave-worthy flavor.
• Chicken Breasts: The protein star of the recipe; they soak up all the marinade flavors and shred beautifully after slow cooking, just like Cafe Rio’s signature chicken.
• Creamy Tomatillo Cilantro Ranch Dressing: The famous Cafe Rio sauce! Creamy, tangy, and fresh, it ties everything together when drizzled over salads, tacos, or burritos.
• Cilantro Lime Rice: The perfect base. Light, fluffy, and bright from the lime and cilantro, it balances the richness of the chicken and dressing, just like at the res

Welcome to the weekend, my friends! We’ve had a wonderfully peaceful Christmas break so far and I’m ready to dive back into the last week of work before the new year. (Bring on 2026, I am sooooo ready for it!) The kids are enjoying their break from school and our weather here in Ohio has been a wild ride of cold, then warm, then super warm, and now it’s supposed to get chilly again.

ON OUR MEAL PLAN THIS WEEK: Grilled cheese sandwiches paired with our favorite tomato soup is the perfect lunch for a chilly day. Is there anything better than the crunch of toasted cheese filled sourdough drenched in tomato soup?

If you haven’t tried it yet, this balsamic glazed meatloaf is about to change your meatloaf game. Served with chunky, buttery, garlic smashed potatoes, and smashed Brussels sprouts this is a meal I absolutely love. 

These juicy, tender pan-fried chicken thighs with a golden-crisp skin are possible with just a spoonful of oil and a bit of patience. Paired with this cheesy broccoli mushroom casserole, it is guaranteed happiness on your plates.

Italian White Bean, Cabbage, and Sausage Soup is loaded with great flavors and it’s filled with far more vegetables and meat than broth. I like to serve this soup with warm, toasted garlic bread. 

Have you tried baking sweet potatoes in the air fryer yet? If not, I highly recommend that you put this one on your list to try asap. This has become one of my favorite lunches over the past year. It’s about as simple as it gets and it’s my kind of comfort food too. 

I’m making room for one more fantastic dessert while we’re on our Christmas break. This chocolate cobbler combines a topping of fudgy, chocolate cake over a layer of rich, gooey chocolate. If you’ve ever had a molten lava cake, then the experience is deliciously similar.

My FAVORITE THING this week is this tiny keychain container. It can be used as a travel pill case or for carrying small jewelry or earplugs. It’s beyond the handiest thing I could’ve imagined! I started carrying mine over a month ago and loved it so much, I wound up giving it to several people this Christmas. It’s super discreet and thin and doesn’t weigh down my keychain at all. I really love it.

What I’m WATCHING: