Spicy Pan-Roasted Yam with Chicken Breast | Caribbean Green Living (2024)

Spicy Pan-Roasted Yam with Chicken Breast is a delightful dish that can be served alone or with another sidedish. The beauty of this recipe is the wonderful blend of dried herbs and spices that deliver an aromatic scent.

Yam is very popular in many tropical countries. It is a staple food in The Caribbean, Africa, and the South Pacific, where many varieties exist. The type of Yam I am referring to is not similar to the “Yam” or sweet potatoes you may be accustomed to or the “yam.” This type of Yam is more like a potato. It does not quite taste like a potato.

Yam is a starchy root that is expensive compared to its counterpart potato. Yams areused or cooked in many different ways. Boiled, fried, baked, or mashed, and even as a soup. The inside color of the yam also varies from white to yellow and even purple. Each type of yam has a unique taste, flavor, and waxy or soft texture.

Several types of research state that Yams are a superfood. Yams are rich in carbohydrates and have many great health benefits, such as:

• Aid with constipation
• Good source of energy
• Contain good amounts of anti-oxidant vitamins and small amounts of Vitamins A, B, C
• Good protein and fiber source
• Contain starch and sugar

Yam does not contain gluten or fat. This superfood must be eaten in moderation because it contains starch and sugar, resulting from digestion.

Ingredients needed for Spicy Pan-Roasted Yam with Chicken Breast

• White yam: this is a Caribbean yam, and you may find it in your local supermarket or a Caribbean market.
• Skinless,boneless chicken breast: choose fresh or reserve the breast from whole raw chicken.
• Olive oil: for flavor.
• Garlic cloves: for seasoning.
• Cumin powder: for seasoning and color.
• Smoked paprika: for seasoning and color also.
• Fresh parsley: for a fresh taste.
• Red onion: for flavor. You can substitute it with shallots or white onion.
• Green pepper: this gives the dish a nice aroma and flavor. You can add red, yellow or orange bell peppers.
• Dried basil: for seasoning.
• Lemon juice for drizzlingand optional
• Salt and pepper to taste

This Spicy Pan-Roasted Yam with Chicken Breast recipe is simple to prepare but requires patience. Unlike potatoes, yams take longer to cook when roasting in a pan on a stovetop. The result is a perfectly cooked dish that is best enjoyed either for lunch or dinner.

How to make the Spicy Pan-Roasted Yam with Chicken Breast recipe

• Heat oil and add garlic to cook for about 2 minutes while stirring in a heavy bottom pan or nonstick pan. Add chicken. Once the chicken starts to cook add yam and the remaining ingredients. Stir and mix well.
• Cover and cook on low heat for about 10 minutes, ensuring the mixture does not burn or stick to the bottom of the pan. You may have to add a little water occasionally for the yam to cook quickly and well.
• Cook for additional minutes if more cooking is needed depending on the size of the pieces of Yam.
• Drizzle a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice if preferred. Season to taste.
• Serve hot.

Notes and Tips

• Before cooking, always remove the tough skin. Cutting the yam into smaller pieces for pan roasting facilitates cooking time. Addthe herbs, dried spices, and olive oil, and revive the yam in seconds.
• A nonstick or heavy bottom pan is best when preparing and cooking this one-pot meal.
• Serve with a side of salad to complete the meal. This dish goes well with French Carrot Salad with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette and Arugula, Pear, Mandarin and Pomegranate Salad.

Enjoy this Spicy Pan-Roasted Yam with Chicken Breast recipe with fresh herbs and spices.

Originally published on September 9, 2016. Revised and updated.