These Chickpea-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Chimichurri are a super easy and delicious way to enjoy dinner on a weeknight, or add some flavor as a side dish.
I have been totally experimenting lately with my quick, weeknight meals. A new thing I’m doing is stuffed sweet potatoes, which isn’t new at all since so many people do this already. I’m slow, okay?! But seriously, what took me so long?
I shared a stuffed sweet potato recipe here and here, and now… here. Can’t stop won’t stop, sorry not sorry.
When thinking about how else I could stuff a sweet potato, I began thinking about some of my favorite flavors. I grew up with a family that cooked together, ate together, drank together. Food is such a huuuge component in my family, so I often have memories associated with food.
When I think about family memories, something that comes to mind is grilling chorizo at my uncle’s house accompanied by chimichurri. My mom’s side of the family are all from Cuba, but they often like to experiment with other Latin dishes (like chorizo and chimichurri). For some reason, this popped into my head immediately. I thought, how can I add an Argentinian flare to these sweet potatoes? Chimiiiiii!
If you’ve never had or heard of chimichurri, think of it like an Argentinian pesto (without nuts).
The main component in most chimichurri recipes is parsley! People often think of parsley as a garnish herb, but no sirree bob – we’re using it IN our dish today. Ordinarily, chimichurri calls for Italian parsley (flat leaf parsley), but for this I used curled parsley. I also used a bit of cilantro, just for funsies.
Speaking of cilantro, did you know (why would you) that I used to HAAAAAATE cilantro? Okay, maybe that’s dramatic. But for reals, I hated it so much, I thought it tasted like SOAP, which is apparently a gene that some people have. More on that here. Weirdly enough, now I can’t get enough of it! I use it all the time, in so much of my cooking – it’s actually one of my favorite herbs! My #1, ride or die herb, though, would have to be basil. Don’t tell cilantro.
To add more greens to the mix, I sauteed some spinach with garlic and used that as the base for these stuffed sweet potatoes. Not only are these overflowing with flavor, but they’re good for you, meatless, and EASY.
Chickpea-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Chimichurri
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- Chimichurri:
- ½ cup fresh parsley
- ½ cup fresh cilantro
- ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 clove garlic
- Filling:
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ½ avocado, sliced
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Place sweet potatoes atop a baking sheet and pierce with a fork a few times. Place in the oven and set for 45 minutes.
- Next, in a food processor, add cilantro, parsley, garlic, and salt. Begin to blend while pouring in olive oil. Blend until smooth and well-combined.
- While potato is baking, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a small saute pan over medium heat. When oil is hot, add spinach and move around using tongs. When spinach begins to welt, add minced garlic and salt. Turn off heat when spinach is fully wilted.
- Remove sweet potatoes when they are soft (test with a knife).
- Cut a slit down the potatoes lengthwise. Do not cut all the way through.
- Using your hands, open the sweet potato and press inward a bit to make room for the filling.
- Using tongs, stuff each potato with spinach. Then, add chickpeas, topped with chimichurri.
- Enjoy as a meal, or as a side dish using smaller potatoes.
Join the conversation:
What’s one food you used to hate, but now love?
How do you like to stuff potatoes?
Did you like this recipe? Pin it for later!
These look perfect for my dinner tonight, and I’ve never tried chimichurri before! I used to HATE bananas. Like HATE them. The texture of eating a raw banana really freaked me out, but I got over that when I realized I needed easy and portable fruits to bring to rehearsals and classes with me! Plus, a banana topped peanut butter always helps. 😉 By the way, made your protein bars yesterday and they’re SOOOO GOOD!
Marina @ A Dancer’s Live-It recently posted…Friday Top 3’s: #5
You’ve never tried chimichurri!?! Ya gotta try it ASAP. So flavorful! And YAY so glad you like the bars! Thanks for sharing <3
The Blissful Balance recently posted…One Pan Almond-Crusted Lemon Chicken
I was JUST saying yesterday how I’d never seen parsley used as anything but a garnish, but someone used it in a smoothie! Guess I should try cooking with it some time
Alysia at Slim Sanity recently posted…Garlic Avocado Salad Dressing
In a smoothie?! Apparently I need to get with the times!! haha
The Blissful Balance recently posted…One Pan Almond-Crusted Lemon Chicken
these photos and this recipe is GORGEOUS!! I’ve been experimenting with stuffed sweet potatoes too, and i’m obsessed. I def want to give that sauce a try, it looks so flavorful. Happy Friday xx
Beverley @ Born to Sweat recently posted…Huffington Post Stair Workout + Athleta Photoshoot
I seriously just want to stuff all the things into all the sweet potatoes.
The Blissful Balance recently posted…One Pan Almond-Crusted Lemon Chicken
Soooo many things I love stuffed inside another thing I love <3 Chimichurri is the bomb diggity – thanks for the reminder that I need some in my life asap!!! This seriously just looks like my dream come true.
Leah M @ love me, feed me recently posted…roasted cherry chocolate ice cream bars
Gotta love stuffing a thing with things you love!! haha, thanks so much Leah! <3
The Blissful Balance recently posted…One Pan Almond-Crusted Lemon Chicken
Oddly enough I used to hate most beans. I refused to eat any other than chickpeas and canned baked beans but these days I just can’t get enough. I even had beans for breakfast the other day lol
Definitely going to try this btw, looks amazing!
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth recently posted…Strawberry Rhubarb Chia Seed Drink
What kind of beans are your favorite?! I love beans – chickpeas are my favorite, I grew up eating them mostly in stews!
The Blissful Balance recently posted…One Pan Almond-Crusted Lemon Chicken
So this is so cool, because it’s a savory stuffing, and I’ve only tried sweet stuffings. And guess what? There is the sweetest lady from Cuba at one of the assisted living homes we go to! Do you know Spanish?
Emily recently posted…Cereal, Fireworks, Stress, and Food Guilt
Aw how sweet! Yes – it was my first language, however I am not fluent. I fully understand it, my mom/family speak to me in Spanish and I respond in English haha. I can translate if I need to but I’m not 100% comfortable speaking fluently!
The Blissful Balance recently posted…One Pan Almond-Crusted Lemon Chicken
I saw your pic on insta this morning and immediately started drooling. I LOVE sweet potatoes and that chimichurri sauce looks ridic. Pinned and cannot wait to make!!
Ellie | Hungry by Nature recently posted…Fresh Summer Quinoa Salad with Mangoes
Thank you so much, Ellie! I cannot get enough sweet potato in my life – might as well stuff it, right?! haha
The Blissful Balance recently posted…One Pan Almond-Crusted Lemon Chicken
I’m a huge cilantro fan, and sometimes want to add it to everything! This looks amazing – stuffed sweet potatoes are so easy and versatile. I love stuffing them with eggs, fresh salsa, and guac/avocado. And now I’ll have to try this 😀
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday recently posted…Five Friday Favorites 07/07/16
I actually do add cilantro to everything hahah I have a problem.
The Blissful Balance recently posted…One Pan Almond-Crusted Lemon Chicken
Oh my gosh my cilantro sista!!! I used to HATE it too. Like gag me. Now I can’t get enough and it’s seriously ALWAYS stocked in my fridge. Why is that?!?! This recipe is BOMB because I can totes make all the elements beforehand and simply reheat for lunches. CLUTCH when baby #2 comes. You rock my world.
Chrissa – Physical Kitchness recently posted…Paleo Sweet Potato Blueberry Breakfast Bars
LOL you crack me up. CILANTRO SISTAS 4 LYFE
The Blissful Balance recently posted…One Pan Almond-Crusted Lemon Chicken
This looks simple, tasty and healthy – what a combination! Love the idea of stuffing a sweet potato.
Thanks Elissa! It was extremely easy – just the way I like it!
The Blissful Balance recently posted…One Pan Almond-Crusted Lemon Chicken
Love the idea of combining chimichurri with sweet potatoes. Funny enough, I used to hate parsley but I can’t get enough now. I could probably eat this chimichurri with a spoon.
No way!! That is too funny – to me parsley has such a subtle taste. And yep – I had to actively stop myself from eating it straight up ;D Thanks Corrine!!
The Blissful Balance recently posted…One Pan Almond-Crusted Lemon Chicken
This sounds amazing, I love chimichurri, especially on flank steak! And I still HATE cilantro
Victoria recently posted…Superfood Mocha Drink: 3 Ways
HA does it taste like soap to you?! I hear there is a gene some people possess!