Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Mash Bowls

That Fiery-Creamy Combo That Gets Better By the Day

Hey there, fellow flavor adventurer! Clara here, back with a bowl that’ll make your taste buds do a happy little touchdown dance. Picture this: velvety roasted sweet potato mash playing pillow-soft host to spicy, tangy buffalo chicken, all crowned with cool blue cheese crumbles and a confetti of fresh green onions. It’s the kind of bowl that winks at you from the fridge, whispering, “Yeah, I’m healthy… and I’m also ridiculously delicious.”

We’ve all been there – staring into the meal-prep abyss, wondering if “nourishing” has to mean “boring.” Spoiler: it absolutely does not. This Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Mash Bowl? It’s my edible love letter to bold flavors, sneaky-nutritious ingredients, and that magical moment when lunch feels like a high-five. It’s got protein to keep you strong, complex carbs to fuel your hustle, and just enough creamy-cool zing to make your eyes light up. Plus, it tastes even better on day two (or three!). Let’s ditch the dull and cook something that makes your soul – and your spoon – genuinely excited.

My Buffalo Bowl “Aha!” Moment

This bowl’s origin story involves a snowstorm, a near-empty fridge, and a serious craving for buffalo wings. Picture it: Vermont, 2019. The world was white, my pantry was down to two lonely sweet potatoes, some leftover roast chicken, and a half-empty bottle of Frank’s. Desperate times, right? Instead of braving the blizzard for wings, I roasted those sweet potatoes like my life depended on it, mashed ’em with a reckless glug of olive oil, and tossed that chicken in the fiery sauce. I crumbled the last bit of blue cheese hiding in the deli drawer… and bam. Magic in a bowl.

What shocked me? The sweet potatoes were the secret MVP. Their caramelized sweetness didn’t just tame the buffalo heat; it danced with it, creating this incredible harmony. The blue cheese? Cool, salty confetti. It was messy, improvised, and utterly perfect. That stormy night bowl became a weekly ritual – then a blog favorite. It taught me that the best recipes often start with “What on earth can I make with this?” and end with “Dang, I need to write this down.” Pure, unplanned kitchen joy.

Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Mash Bowls

---

• Author: clarawhitmore
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: serves 2

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

This bowl is everything your meal prep’s been missing: spicy, tangy buffalo chicken piled over velvety roasted sweet potato mash, finished with cool blue cheese and snappy green onions. It’s bold, balanced, and the kind of crave-worthy combo you’ll actually look forward to all week.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

2 large sweet potatoes

2 tbsp butter or olive oil

Salt & pepper, to taste

Buffalo Chicken:

2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast

¼ cup buffalo sauce (plus more to taste)

1 tbsp ranch or blue cheese dressing (optional, for creaminess)

Toppings:

¼ cup crumbled blue cheese

2 green onions, thinly sliced

Optional: ranch drizzle or extra buffalo sauce

---

Instructions

Roast the sweet potatoes: Pierce and roast whole sweet potatoes at 400°F (200°C) for 40–45 minutes until soft. Scoop into a bowl, mash with butter/oil, salt, and pepper.

Make buffalo chicken: Warm shredded chicken in a skillet with buffalo sauce (and ranch if using) until hot and coated.

Assemble bowls: Spoon mashed sweet potatoes into bowls. Top with buffalo chicken, blue cheese, and green onions.

Serve: Add a drizzle of ranch or extra buffalo sauce if desired.

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 45 min
• Category: Dinner

Nutrition

• Calories: 430
• Fat: 22g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Protein: 32g

Your Flavor Toolkit: What You’ll Need

• 2 large sweet potatoes: Nature’s edible sunshine! Look for firm, unblemished skins. Their natural sweetness balances the buffalo spice. Swap: Butternut squash works beautifully too!
• 2 tbsp butter or olive oil: Butter = ultimate richness. Olive oil = lovely earthy notes (my go-to for dairy-free!). Chef’s Whisper: Ghee is a fantastic hybrid if you’re feeling fancy.
• Salt & pepper, to taste: The dynamic duo! Season your mash generously – it makes every layer sing.
• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast: Rotisserie chicken is your weeknight superhero here. Leftover grilled or baked chicken works wonders too! Time-Saver Hack: Use canned chicken in a pinch, but drain it well.
• ¼ cup buffalo sauce (plus more to taste): Frank’s RedHot is my ride-or-die. Want cleaner ingredients? Primal Kitchen makes a great avocado-oil-based version. Heat Note: Start with ¼ cup & add more after tossing – you control the fire!
• 1 tbsp ranch or blue cheese dressing (optional): A tiny splash adds creamy tang and helps the sauce cling. Omit for Whole30/paleo, or use a compliant version.
• ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese: The salty, funky crown! Don’t skip it – it cuts the heat like a dream. Swap: Feta for a milder tang, or omit for dairy-free.
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced: Fresh, snappy confetti! Adds color and a mild oniony bite. Swap: Chopped chives or a sprinkle of red onion.
• Optional: Ranch drizzle or extra buffalo sauce: For the sauce lovers! I often swirl a little extra ranch on top for Instagram-worthy flair (and extra cooling power).

Why these ingredients sing together: It’s all about balance. Sweet potatoes bring earthy sweetness & fiber, buffalo sauce delivers fiery tang, blue cheese offers cool funk, and green onions add fresh crunch. Each bite is a flavor adventure!

Let’s Build Your Flavor Masterpiece: Step-by-Step

1. Roast Those Sweet Potatoes to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Give those sweet potatoes a good scrub – we’re keeping the skins on for extra fiber and texture! Poke them all over with a fork (like they owe you money – this lets steam escape and prevents potato explosions!). Place them right on the oven rack or on a baking sheet. Roast for 40-45 minutes. Chef’s Test: They’re ready when a knife slides in like butter meets zero resistance. Let them cool just enough to handle. HACK ALERT: Roast these ahead! They keep beautifully in the fridge for 3 days.
2. Mash Magic Happens: Slice the sweet potatoes open lengthwise. Scoop that gorgeous, caramelized flesh into a bowl – ditch the skins (or snack on them crispy with salt!). Add your butter or olive oil, a generous pinch of salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Mash it up! Texture Talk: Want super smooth? Use a potato masher or hand mixer. Prefer rustic? A fork works great! Taste and adjust seasoning – be bold! This mash is your flavor foundation.
3. Buffalo Chicken Bliss: Grab a skillet and place it over medium heat. No need for extra oil! Toss in your shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and that optional tablespoon of ranch or blue cheese dressing. Stir constantly for 3-5 minutes, just until the chicken is piping hot and gloriously coated in that vibrant orange sauce. Pro Tip: Stirring constantly prevents sticking and ensures every shred gets saucy love. Smell that tangy aroma? That’s victory!
4. Bowl Assembly (The Fun Part!): Spoon that luscious sweet potato mash into your bowls – give it a little swoosh with the back of your spoon for flair. Pile the hot, saucy buffalo chicken right on top, letting some of that spicy goodness mingle with the mash. Now, the crowning jewels: sprinkle generously with crumbled blue cheese and those bright green onions. Final Flourish: Drizzle with extra ranch or buffalo sauce if your heart desires. Admire your creation!

Active Voice Power: See how we’re *doing* things? Scrubbing, poking, roasting, scooping, mashing, tossing, piling, sprinkling! You’re not just following steps; you’re creating edible art.

Dishing Up the Deliciousness

This bowl is a stunner served straight-up hot right after assembly! The contrast between the warm, spicy chicken and the cool toppings is *chef’s kiss*. For meal prep, keep components separate in airtight containers: mash in one, buffalo chicken in another, toppings in small jars. Assemble cold components just before eating, then microwave the mash and chicken together for 1-2 minutes. Pro Presentation Tip: Use wide, shallow bowls to show off those gorgeous layers! Garnish with an extra sprinkle of green onions right on top for a pop of fresh color. Pair it with crunchy celery sticks or cucumber slices for the ultimate buffalo wing experience – without the mess!

Make It Your Own: Delicious Twists

This bowl is your flavor playground! Get creative:

• Southwest Fiesta: Swap blue cheese for avocado slices & cilantro. Add black beans & corn to the chicken mix. Top with lime crema (Greek yogurt + lime zest)!
• Protein Power-Up: Use shredded turkey, chickpeas (tossed in buffalo sauce!), or even crispy baked tofu instead of chicken. Great for plant-based pals!
• Mediterranean Vibes: Skip buffalo sauce. Toss chicken with lemon juice, oregano & garlic. Top mash with kalamata olives, feta, chopped cucumber & tzatziki.
• Loaded “Baked Potato”: Stir crispy bacon bits & shredded cheddar into the sweet potato mash. Top chicken with sour cream & extra chives. Comfort food heaven!
• Keto/Low-Carb: Replace sweet potato mash with mashed cauliflower (roast florets first!). Ensure buffalo sauce & dressing are sugar-free.

Remember: Balance is key! Keep that spicy/creamy/crunchy magic alive in every variation.

Clara’s Kitchen Confessions & Tips

This recipe has evolved from my snowstorm savior into a blog superstar! My biggest tweak? Roasting > Boiling the sweet potatoes. Roasting caramelizes their natural sugars, giving the mash incredible depth – it’s a game-changer. I once tried making it for a friend who “hated blue cheese.” I sneakily used feta… and she devoured it, asking for the recipe! Lesson learned: trust the blueprint, but adapt fearlessly.

Funny story: I filmed a reel making this once and got SO enthusiastic with the buffalo sauce toss that I coated my phone lens in orange speckles. Worth it! The sauce-stained lens captured pure joy (and the bowl went viral). My top tip? Double the batch. Seriously. The flavors meld and deepen gloriously overnight. That meal-prep magic? It’s real. This bowl tastes even better on day two or three – the sweet potato mellows the heat just perfectly. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!

Your Buffalo Bowl Questions, Solved!

Q: My sweet potato mash is too runny! Help?
A: No worries! Roasted sweet potatoes vary in moisture. If it’s soupy, return the mash to the pot and simmer gently over low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, to evaporate excess water. You can also mash in a tablespoon of coconut flour or almond flour to thicken it up quickly.

Q: Can I make this vegetarian/vegan?
A: Absolutely! For veggie: Swap chicken for 2 cups of cooked lentils or rinsed canned chickpeas (smash some for texture!). Toss in buffalo sauce as directed. Vegan? Use plant-based butter/oil, ensure buffalo sauce is vegan (many are!), skip the dairy dressing/cheese, and top with avocado or vegan ranch/feta. The sweet potato base is naturally vegan!

Q: Is there a way to make it less spicy?
A: You bet! Start with HALF the buffalo sauce (2 tbsp) when coating the chicken. Use a mild hot sauce base. Stir in that optional tablespoon of ranch or blue cheese dressing – the creaminess really tames the heat. You can also add a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup to the buffalo sauce for sweetness that counters spice. Taste and add more sauce only if you want more kick!

Q: Help! My buffalo chicken is dry.
A: Two common culprits: Overcooked chicken or not enough sauce. Ensure your cooked chicken wasn’t dry to start (rotisserie is usually moist). Solution: Add 1-2 extra tablespoons of buffalo sauce OR low-sodium chicken broth to the skillet when warming the chicken. Stir constantly over low-medium heat – the sauce and steam will rehydrate it beautifully!

Fueling Your Glow (Approx. per serving, serves 2)

Calories: 430 | Protein: 32g | Carbs: 28g (Fiber: 5g) | Fat: 22g (Saturated Fat: 8g) | Sugar: 8g | Sodium: 890mg*
*Sodium varies greatly based on buffalo sauce & cheese used. Look for lower-sodium options if needed!

Why this bowl rocks: Packed with protein for muscle repair, complex carbs from sweet potatoes for sustained energy, healthy fats for satiety, and a rainbow of flavors that make healthy eating feel like a celebration. It’s nutrient-dense fuel designed to make you feel amazing!