Get ready to meet your new favorite meal. These Potato Stacks with Chipotle Sauce are one of those incredible dishes that hits every note: sweet, spicy, creamy, and savory. Picture this: tender, caramelized sweet potatoes form the base for a zesty pile of seasoned ground chicken, a generous dollop of creamy chipotle sauce, and a cascade of fresh toppings. It’s a build-your-own masterpiece that has quickly become a non-negotiable in our family’s rotation of weeknight dinner recipes.
Whether you're looking for a stunning appetizer or a satisfying main course, this recipe delivers big on flavor without complicated steps. It’s the kind of meal that looks and tastes gourmet but is secretly simple enough for any home cook to master.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The natural sweetness of the caramelized potatoes is the perfect counterpoint to the smoky heat of the chipotle sauce and savory chicken. It's a true celebration of Southwest-inspired taste!
- Customizable for Everyone: This is one of the best easy to make appetizers or dinners for a group because everyone can build their own potato stack. Set out the toppings and let your family or guests create their perfect bite.
- Meal-Prep Friendly: The components can be made ahead of time and stored separately. When you're ready to eat, just reheat the potatoes and chicken for a lightning-fast meal.
- Incredibly Satisfying: Hearty, packed with protein, and full of texture, this dish is pure comfort food that leaves you feeling amazing.
Ingredients You'll Need
Get ready to assemble a masterpiece! The beauty of these stacked potatoes lies in the simple, high-impact ingredients.
For the Seasoned Potatoes:
- Sweet Potatoes: 4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed clean and sliced in half lengthwise. Their earthy sweetness is the perfect foundation.
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons for roasting.
- Salt: A generous sprinkle to enhance the flavor.
For the Spicy Ground Chicken:
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon.
- Onion: 1 small onion, thinly sliced. You can substitute with 1 teaspoon of onion powder in a pinch.
- Ground Chicken: 1 lb. Ground turkey or beef also works wonderfully.
- Taco Seasoning: 1 heaping tablespoon. Use your favorite brand!
- Salsa: ½ cup of a good quality red salsa adds moisture and a zesty kick.
- Kosher Salt: ½ teaspoon, or to taste, depending on your taco seasoning.
For the Creamy Chipotle Ranch Sauce:
This sauce is everything! It's a simple, ranch-style sauce that makes this one of the best Chipotle Ranch Potato Appetizer Recipes you'll ever try.
- Greek Yogurt: ⅓ cup, plain.
- Mayonnaise: ¼ cup.
- Chipotle Powder: ¼ teaspoon for that signature smoky heat. Add more if you like it spicy!
- Garlic: 1 clove, freshly grated or minced.
- Kosher Salt: ½ teaspoon, adjust to your preference.
- Water: 2–3 tablespoons to thin the sauce to a perfect drizzling consistency.
Essential Toppings:
- Avocado: Diced or sliced.
- Cilantro: Freshly chopped.
- Pickled Red Onions: For a bright, tangy crunch.
- Something Crunchy: Crushed pistachios, toasted pumpkin seeds, or Mexican chili crisp are fantastic options.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Roast the Sweet Potatoes
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Drizzle the sweet potato halves with olive oil, making sure to coat all sides, and place them cut-side down on a baking sheet. Sprinkle the skins with salt. Roast for 20-25 minutes. Carefully check for doneness; you're looking for a tender inside and beautifully caramelized edges on the bottom. If needed, bake for another 10 minutes until perfect.
2. Cook the Spicy Chicken
While the potatoes roast, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion and sauté until soft and fragrant. Add the ground chicken and taco seasoning, breaking up the meat with a spatula until it's browned and cooked through.
3. Simmer with Salsa
Stir the salsa and salt into the cooked chicken. Let it simmer for another minute or two to allow the flavors to meld. Cover the skillet and set it aside to keep warm.
4. Mix the Chipotle Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, chipotle powder, grated garlic, and salt until completely smooth. Add the water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency for drizzling.
5. Assemble Your Potato Stacks
It's time to build! Place a roasted sweet potato half on a plate, cut-side up. Generously spoon over the creamy chipotle sauce, followed by a hearty portion of the spicy chicken. Finish with your favorite toppings—avocado, cilantro, pickled onions, and a final crunchy element. Add an extra drizzle of sauce for good measure!
A Perfect Addition to Your Dinner Recipes and Appetizer Menu
These potato starter recipes are incredibly versatile. Serve a single stack as a show-stopping appetizer, or plate up two for a complete and filling meal. The interactive nature of building your own stack makes it an instant hit for family dinners and casual get-togethers.
Tips for Success
- Get That Caramelization: The key to the best flavor is the gorgeous caramelization on the cut side of the potatoes. Don't be afraid to let them get nice and browned in the oven. For an extra-crispy finish, you can sear them cut-side down in a hot, buttered skillet for a minute before serving.
- Create a Crispy Cheese Crust: For one of the best Crispy Cheese Potato Stacks Recipes, sprinkle a layer of grated Parmesan or cotija cheese on the cut side of the potatoes during the last 5 minutes of baking. It creates an unbelievably savory cheese crust that takes these stacks to a new level.
- Make it for Brunch: Turn these into Easy Brunch Potato Stacks by topping each one with a perfectly fried or poached egg. The runny yolk mixed with the chipotle sauce is pure magic.
- Don't Peel the Potatoes: The skins get wonderfully tender and add a nice rustic texture and extra nutrients. Just be sure to scrub them well before cooking.
Ultimate Roasted Sweet Potato Stacks with Chipotle Sauce
Ingredients
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- 4 medium sweet potatoes washed and cut in half lengthwise
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt for sprinkling
Spicy Chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion thinly sliced (or 1 tsp onion powder)
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- 1 heaping tablespoon taco seasoning about half a packet, such as Siete mild
- 1/2 cup salsa such as Siete casera salsa roja or Mateo's
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt adjust to taste
Creamy Chipotle Sauce
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1 clove garlic grated
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt taste and adjust
- 2-3 tablespoons water to thin as needed
Toppings
- avocado cut into chunks
- fresh cilantro chopped
- pickled onions for serving
- Mexican chili crisp or crushed pistachios for a crunchy topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Prepare the sweet potatoes by brushing all sides with olive oil, then place them cut-side down on a baking sheet and sprinkle the tops with salt.
- Roast the potatoes for 20 minutes. Carefully lift one with a spatula to check for caramelization. Continue roasting for another 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cut sides are beautifully caramelized.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat while the potatoes roast. Add the sliced onion and sauté until softened and fragrant. Add the ground chicken and taco seasoning, breaking it apart with a spatula until fully cooked and browned.
- Stir the salsa and salt into the cooked chicken, and continue to sauté for 1-2 minutes until heated through. Cover the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
- Prepare the chipotle sauce by whisking together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, chipotle powder, grated garlic, and salt in a small bowl until smooth. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Prepare all your desired toppings by chopping the avocado and cilantro, and setting out the pickled onions and your choice of crunchy nuts or seeds.
- Assemble the potato stacks by placing a roasted sweet potato half on each plate. Generously top with the spicy chicken, a drizzle of creamy chipotle sauce, and your favorite toppings. Add an extra spoonful of sauce on top before serving.
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Large Skillet
