Taco Bowl with Sweet Potato, Hot Honey and Cottage Cheese
Servings: people
Taco bowls have never tasted this good. This viral sweet potato bowl combines creamy cottage cheese, spicy hot honey sauce, and taco-seasoned ground chicken –and honestly? It's next-level delicious.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 pound ground chicken or ground beef/turkey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning substitute 3 teaspoon cumin, 3 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 dollops cottage cheese or more to taste
- 3 cups iceberg lettuce thinly sliced, optional
- 1 avocado
- 1 pound sweet potatoes (about 2 medium)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt + more to taste for the meat
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup hot honey sauce for drizzling
- 2 limes
- ⅓ cup cilantro chopped + leafy greens to taste (spinach, lettuce leaves, etc.)
Instructions
- Roast the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven or air fryer to 400°F (200°C).Peel and dice 1 pound sweet potatoes into bite-sized cubes.Toss them in 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper for extra flavor.For the oven: Spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-30 minutes until fork-tender and slightly caramelized.For the air fryer: Place them in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Cook the meat: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound ground chicken and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned (about 5-8 minutes).Stir in 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 tablespoons taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper to taste. Cook for another 2 minutes to let the flavors meld then turn the heat off and stir in the juice from 1 lime.
- Assemble the bowl: Layer the bowl with thinly sliced iceberg lettuce, the roasted sweet potatoes, seasoned meat, a dollop of cottage cheese, and sliced avocado. Drizzle with your hot honey sauce and top with a final squeeze of lime and fresh cilantro.Optionally, you can add some chickpeas (tossed in lime, cilantro, olive oil, and a pinch of salt), and quick pickled red onions.
Notes
SUBSTITUTIONS
- Olive oil → Avocado oil or any neutral oil
- Cottage cheese → Greek yogurt
- Avocado → Guacamole
- Ground chicken → Ground turkey/beef, thinly sliced steak, or tofu/vegan meat
- Soy sauce → Tamari sauce or dry white wine.
- Taco seasoning → DIY: cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic, onion, oregano, salt, pepper
- Sweet potatoes → Broccoli, eggplant, bell peppers, or grains like rice/quinoa
- Iceberg lettuce → Optional (sub baby spinach or salad mix)
- Hot honey sauce → Store-bought or homemade (see below)
→ Swap with chipotle mayo, spicy mayo, or cilantro-lime dressing - Cilantro + lime → Chives + lemon
- Tip for Hot Honey SauceIf making at home: 🍯 Mix ¼ cup (60 g) honey, 1 - 2 tablespoon sriracha (or your preferred hot sauce), and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 1 minute while stirring. Turn off the heat and stir in 1 tbsp vinegar. Let it cool slightly before drizzling over your bowl!
- Roast those sweet potatoes right: 🌡️ Crank your oven or air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for that perfect crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside magic. Don’t skip the olive oil – it helps them caramelize evenly.
- Sear the meat like you mean it: Use a hot skillet (cast iron is 🔥). Let the meat sit undisturbed so it gets that deep brown crust. Flavor lives in the sear. Then deglaze the pan with soy sauce (or dry white wine) for that extra pop of flavor.
- Sauce goes on last – choose your vibe: Hot honey? Louise's favorite! 🙋♀️ But if sweet and savory isn’t your thing, try chipotle sauce, spicy mayo, or a zesty cilantro-lime dressing. It’s your bowl, your rules.
- Keep the cottage cheese cold: Pull it from the fridge right before serving. ❄️ That creamy, cool contrast against the warm ingredients is everything.
- Add a tangy pop: 🍋🟩 Top with pickled onions, lime juice, or jalapeños for that bright, briny pop that ties it all together.
