Cheesy Chicken and Sweet Potato Casserole

Prep 25 min
Total 2 hr 30 min
Servings 6

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This casserole takes comfort food to a whole new level. Tender sweet potatoes, chicken and kale are the coziest combination when paired with tangy Gruyère or Swiss cheese.

Ingredients

3 lb (1.5 kg) sweet potatoes
1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
3 cups half-and-half
8 oz Gruyère or Swiss cheese, shredded (2 cups)
3 cups fresh kale, coarsely chopped
2 cups shredded cooked chicken

Steps

1

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
2

Pierce sweet potatoes with fork; place on cookie sheet. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until potatoes can be easily pierced with a knife. Cool 20 minutes. Peel potatoes; cut each into 1/4-inch slices.
3

Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper using whisk. Cook until smooth and bubbly, stirring frequently. Gradually stir in half-and-half, stirring frequently, 5 to 7 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in 1 cup of the cheese.
4

In large bowl, toss potatoes, half-and-half mixture, kale and chicken until well coated. Spoon into baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese.
5

Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Bake sweet potatoes the day before preparing this casserole for a quick weeknight meal.
Hold the chicken, and turn this into an easy side dish for the holidays!
The fall and winter seasons are prime time for comfort food, but sometimes those creamy pasta casseroles can get a little heavy. This chicken and sweet potato casserole is a great alternative for when you’re looking for something that’s delicious and comforting, but a little better for you. It’s packed with kale and sweet potatoes, which means it’s chock-full of nutrients. Just one sweet potato (skin included) is an excellent source of beta-carotene, vitamin C and fiber—and it’s low in calories! Similarly, kale is a low-calorie vegetable and is considered one of the most nutrient-rich foods out there loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber.