Sweet Potato and Spinach Chicken Tacos - PCOS-Friendly Recipe
This Sweet Potato and Spinach Chicken Tacos is a PCOS-friendly recipe with 255 calories, 18g protein, and 28g carbs per serving. Ready in 30 minutes. High in fiber (7g), which supports insulin sensitivity.
Nutrition per Serving
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 oz fresh baby spinach
- 1 large (8-oz) sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 4 Tbsp water
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
- 4 (6-inch) corn tortillas, heated
- 4 tsp light sour cream
- 1/2 cup pico de gallo (purchased)
Instructions
- In a large nonstick pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add the spinach and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the sweet potato, cumin, black pepper, and water to the pan. Sauté for 2 minutes. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 8 minutes.
- Add the chicken to the pan and mix to incorporate. Heat for 2 minutes.
- Fill each tortilla with 1/4 of the chicken and sweet potato mixture. Top with 1 tsp of sour cream and 2 Tbsp of pico de gallo.
- Dietitian’s Tip: For the chicken, use leftover cooked chicken or purchase a cooked, rotisserie chicken. Pico de gallo, a fresh salsa, is found in most grocery stores in the refrigerated area of the deli or produce section and adds a lot of flavor and crunch to this recipe.
- MAKE IT GLUTEN-FREE: Confirm that all ingredients are gluten-free and this dish can be gluten-free.
- Choices: 1 1/2 Starch, 1 Nonstarchy Vegetable, 2 Lean Protein, 1/2 Fat
How This Recipe Supports PCOS Management
Understanding the nutritional profile of what you eat is a powerful step in managing PCOS. Here is how the key ingredients in this Sweet Potato and Spinach Chicken Tacos contribute to your health goals:
- Chicken: Protein-rich meals help manage insulin resistance common in PCOS
- Sweet potato: Has a lower glycemic index than regular potatoes, supporting blood sugar control
- Spinach: Magnesium may help improve insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS
- Olive oil: Anti-inflammatory properties make it especially beneficial for PCOS
- Garlic: May help reduce cholesterol levels often elevated in PCOS
PCOS Diet Principles in This Recipe
The PCOS diet focuses on three core principles: reducing inflammation, managing insulin resistance, and supporting hormonal balance. Every recipe in our collection is evaluated against these principles. This recipe excels in providing protein-rich ingredients that help regulate appetite hormones (ghrelin and leptin), and anti-inflammatory spices that target the chronic inflammation underlying PCOS. As part of a balanced PCOS meal plan, we recommend pairing recipes like this with a variety of nutrient-dense foods throughout the week to ensure you are meeting all your micronutrient needs.
Meal Prep Tip: This Sweet Potato and Spinach Chicken Tacos can be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Meal prepping is one of the most effective strategies for sticking to a PCOS-friendly diet, as it removes the temptation to reach for processed convenience foods when time is short.
PCOS-Friendly Foods in This Recipe
This recipe contains the following foods that may benefit PCOS management: Spinach.
Spinach is a nutrient-dense leafy green vegetable that is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, magnesium, and antioxidants. The high iron content in spinach helps combat anemia, which is common in women with PCOS. Magnesium helps reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity. The antioxidants in spinach can help lower oxidative stress, which is beneficial for managing PCOS symptoms. Including spinach in your diet can support overall health and well-being.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this Sweet Potato and Spinach Chicken Tacos recipe is designed to be PCOS-friendly. At 255 calories per serving with 18g of protein, it supports balanced blood sugar and hormonal health. It also provides 7g of fiber, which helps with insulin sensitivity.
This recipe takes about 30 minutes total. Prep time is 20 minutes and cook time is 10 minutes. It makes 4 servings, so you can meal prep for multiple days.
Per serving: 255 calories, 18g protein (28%), 28g carbs, 10g fat. Plus 7g fiber. PCOS meal plans typically aim for 30% protein, 35% fat, 35% carbs to support insulin sensitivity.
Yes, this recipe works well as a PCOS-friendly Lunch. At 255 calories, it fits within typical PCOS meal plan targets for Lunch. Pair it with other PCOS-friendly foods throughout the day for balanced nutrition.
This recipe can be part of a structured PCOS meal plan. It makes 4 servings, making it great for meal prep. For a complete weekly plan tailored to your PCOS type, take our free 60-second quiz at pcosmealplanner.com/pcos-quiz to get a personalized 7-day meal plan.
Cook Another PCOS-Friendly Lunch
Each recipe you add to your rotation makes PCOS management easier. Variety keeps you from getting bored and quitting.
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