• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Contact
Check out my cookbook

The Toasted Pine Nut

fun. flavorful. feel-good recipes.

  • Check out my cookbook!
  • Recipes
    • Dessert
      • Cookies
      • Bars & Brownies
      • Breads & Muffins
      • Cakes & Cupcakes
      • Pies & Crumbles
      • Candy
      • No Bake
    • Meal
      • Breakfast
      • Main Dishes
      • Appetizers
      • Sides
      • Snacks
      • Drinks
      • Salads
      • Sauces & Dips
      • Dessert
    • Diet
      • Gluten Free
      • Dairy Free
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
      • Egg Free
      • Kid Friendly
      • Low Carb
      • Nut Free
    • Meat
      • Fish & Seafood
      • Chicken & Poultry
      • Beef & Pork
      • Meatless
    • Method
      • Air Fryer
      • Slow Cooker
      • Instant Pot
      • Oven
      • Grill
      • Stovetop
    • Season
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • Recipe Filter
  • Shop
    • My Baking Mixes
    • Kitchen Essentials
    • Pantry Items
    • Kid Favorites
    • Photography
  • Cookbook
  • Videos
Home Recipes Main Dishes Chicken & Poultry
★★★★★ 5 from 4 Reviews

Shredded Chicken + Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

1 hr
GF Gluten-Free EF Egg-Free NF Nut-Free
Avatar by: Lindsay Grimes
February 7, 2019 (Updated: August 26, 2021)
Jump to Recipe
Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

overhead image of chicken and sweet potato shepherd's pie scooped out on a white plate
Cozy up with this Shredded BBQ Chicken + Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie! It’s the perfect gluten free dinner the whole family will love!

I’m back with a cozy dinner because it has been unexpectedly chilllly here in southern California. Chilly to the point that I’m walking around in a puffy jacket and driving with my seat heater on.

I’m being dramatic because it’s only 60F.

I wanted to switch up the traditional shepherd’s pie and make it a bit more different. This is the kind of meal that’s super customizable.

Swap in any leftover veggies you have in the fridge from the week. Change the carrots with some pepper or corn or peas. It’ll be delicious no matter what!

How to make shredded chicken + sweet potato shepherd’s pie:

How to cook chicken in your instant pot:

Place 1 cup of chicken broth, water, and chicken into your instant pot. Press the meat button and cook for 10 minutes. Make sure the knob is set to sealing.

Once the 10 minutes is over, you’ll switch the sealing knob to venting and allow all the steam to release.

  • side view of a white baking dish with sweet potato puree and thyme leaves

How to cook chicken on the stovetop:

Bring the broth and water to a boil and add the chicken. Simmer for 15 – 20 minutes until cooked through.

Once the chicken is done cooking, place it on a cutting board and pull it apart with two forks.

How to make the shredded chicken filling:

While the chicken is cooking, place the carrots, chopped onion, and celery in a large pan with the butter over medium-high heat. Sauté for 15 minutes, stirring frequently until the veggies reduce and are golden brown.

Add the salt and garlic and sauté for 10 – 15 minutes until golden brown.

Transfer the shredded chicken into the pan with the veggies. Add 1/2 cup chicken broth, soy sauce, ketchup, and bbq sauce. Cook for 5 minutes until the sauce is incorporated into chicken.

Transfer to a baking dish and spread across the bottom of a baking dish.

overhead image of white baking dish with a shepherd's pie

How to make the sweet potato purée topping for your shepherd’s pie:

Place a medium pot filled with water over high heat and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to medium and add the sweet potatoes. Boil for 15 minutes.

Once the sweet potato is easily pierced with a fork, strain the water out and transfer the sweet potatoes along with 3 tablespoons of butter, 2 cloves garlic, and sea salt into a food processor. Turn the processor on and allow it to process for a few minutes until the sweet potato is smooth.

Transfer the sweet potato mash on top of the chicken and spread it out with a rubber spatula.

Broil for 2 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

Sprinkle with fresh thyme and scoop onto plates or bowls and enjoy.

overhead image of a white plate on a white counter with a scoop of shredded chicken shepherd's pie and thyme leaves for garnish

Other cozy dinner’s you’ll love:

  • Skinny Shepherd’s Pie
  • Turkey Swedish Meatballs
  • Slow Cooker Apple BBQ Pork
  • Creamy Cheddar Cauliflower Soup
  • Slow Cooker Jackfruit Stew + Celery Root Mash

Did you make this? Leave a review below and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!

overhead image of white baking dish with a sweet potato puree Recipe
GF Gluten-Free EF Egg-Free NF Nut-Free

Shredded Chicken + Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Cozy up with this Shredded BBQ Chicken + Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie! It’s the perfect gluten free dinner the whole family will love!

AvatarRecipe by:Lindsay Grimes
★★★★★ 5 from 4 reviews
Prep: 30 minCook: 30 minTotal: 1 hour
Print recipe Rate recipe Pin Save recipe
Servings: 6 1x

Ingredients

Shredded Chicken Base:

  • 1 lb. chicken breast
  • 1 1/2 cup chicken broth, divided
  • 1 cup water
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups chopped onion
  • 1 cup chopped carrots (about 2 large carrots)
  • 1 cup chopped celery (about 2 stalks celery)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons bbq sauce
  • fresh thyme for garnish

Sweet Potato Mash:

  •  2 sweet potatoes, chopped (about 2 cups)
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

Cook the chicken in your instant pot:

  1. Place 1 cup of chicken broth, water, and chicken into your instant pot.
  2. Press the meat button and cook for 10 minutes.
  3. Make sure the knob is set to sealing.

  4. Once the 10 minutes is over, you’ll switch the sealing knob to venting and allow all the steam to release.

Or, cook chicken on the stovetop:

  1. Bring the broth and water to a boil and add the chicken.
  2. Simmer for 15 – 20 minutes until cooked through.

How to make the shredded chicken filling:

  1. While the chicken is cooking, place the carrots, chopped onion, and celery in a large pan with the butter over medium-high heat.
  2. Sauté for 15 minutes, stirring frequently until the veggies reduce and are golden brown.
  3. Add the salt and garlic and sauté for 10 – 15 minutes until golden brown.
  4. Once the chicken is done cooking, place it on a cutting board and pull it apart with two forks to shred it.
  5. Transfer the shredded chicken into the pan with the veggies.
  6. Add 1/2 cup chicken broth, soy sauce, ketchup, and bbq sauce.
  7. Cook for 5 minutes until the sauce is incorporated into chicken/veg mixture.
  8. Transfer to a baking dish and spread across the bottom of a baking dish.

Make the sweet potato purée topping:

  1. Place a medium pot filled with water over high heat and bring to a boil.
  2. Turn the heat down to medium and add the sweet potatoes. Boil for 15 minutes.
  3. Once the sweet potato is easily pierced with a fork, strain the water out and transfer the sweet potatoes along with 3 tablespoons of butter, 2 cloves garlic, and sea salt into a food processor.
  4. Turn the processor on and allow it to process for a few minutes until the sweet potato is a smooth purée.
  5. Transfer the sweet potato mash on top of the chicken and spread it out with a rubber spatula.
  6. Optional: use a fork to make a cool design in the top.
  7. Broil on high for 2 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
  8. Sprinkle with fresh thyme and scoop onto plates or bowls and enjoy.

Nutrition Info:

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 318
  • Sugar: 3.7g
  • Sodium: 1195mg
  • Fat: 15.9g
  • Saturated Fat: 8.6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 24.3g
  • Fiber: 3.7g
  • Protein: 19.7g
  • Cholesterol: 84mg
© The Toasted Pine Nut

Did you make this?

I love seeing what you made! Tag me on social @thetoastedpinenut

Rate recipe Tag me on Instagram

Enjoy!! xo

overhead image of chicken and sweet potato shepherd's pie with a scoop out on a white plate pinterest image with text overlay
319 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Save
  • Email
overhead image of a gluten free sprinkle cookie with a bite taken out on a white counter

Never miss a recipe!

Join our pine nut family and get recipes delivered right to your inbox.

Join now!
15 no bake desserts

You May Also Like...

  • Shredded Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Boats
  • Sweet Potato Pizza Bites
  • Leftover Sweet Potato Turkey Bake

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe Cancel reply

If you love this recipe it would mean SO MUCH to me if you give it a star rating and leave a comment about it. Not only do I love basking in the glory of your recipe love, but (perhaps more importantly 😋) it helps other readers find my recipes online. Thanks so much for your feedback!!

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. AvatarHannah says

    Posted on 2/18/19 at 5:28 pm

    This was delicious! At first I thought the sauce seemed weird but it came together perfectly. To save time I used a frozen veggie mix plus some frozen cauliflower rice. This will definitely be part of our regular dinner rotation!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • AvatarLindsay Grimes Freedman says

      Posted on 10/14/20 at 8:54 pm

      haha I’m glad it came together and was tasty!! enjoy! xo

      Reply
  2. AvatarCJ says

    Posted on 10/26/20 at 8:02 am

    Question–do you think eggplant would work for the veggie filling? I have an eggplant in the fridge that is struggling to find inspiration!

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • AvatarLindsay Grimes Freedman says

      Posted on 10/26/20 at 8:49 am

      That could be fun! Maybe cut it in small cubes and caramelize it with the onions. Let me know how you make out! xo

      Reply
  3. AvatarMegan says

    Posted on 10/26/20 at 5:26 pm

    Wow! This recipe was so simple and yet so flavourful and healthy! Must make again. 

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • AvatarLindsay Grimes Freedman says

      Posted on 10/27/20 at 7:00 am

      Yay! I’m so happy you loved it!! xo

      Reply
  4. AvatarAshley says

    Posted on 2/14/21 at 8:05 pm

    Very tasty, and even easier to prep than I expected.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • AvatarLindsay Grimes Freedman says

      Posted on 2/14/21 at 8:42 pm

      Yay! I’m so happy you enjoyed!! xo

      Reply
  5. AvatarLauren says

    Posted on 3/25/21 at 5:23 am

    Made this for the second time and it was amazing. Love that it’s a different take of a classic recipe. My daughter loves it. It’s a keeper in our house

    ★★★★★

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Lindsay

Hi Friend!

I'm Lindsay I love sharing simple, better-for-you recipes. When I'm not in the kitchen, you can find me at the beach watching my kids boogie board and soaking in that warm Cali sun (with sunscreen, of course).

Read more...

Recipe Key

GF Gluten-Free DF Dairy-Free V Vegan VG Vegetarian EF Egg-Free NF Nut-Free P Paleo Browse All

Most Popular

This is a horizontal image of a hand with deep pink nail polish holding a chocolate quinoa crisp in between their thumb and pointer finger. More chocolate quinoa crisps are blurred in the background.

5-Min Crunchy Chocolate Quinoa Crisps

overhead image of a muffin tin filled with 12 raw eggs sprinkled with pepper

Perfect Oven-Baked Eggs in a Muffin Tin

This is a side view of a chocolate almond butter bar with a bite taken out of it. The bar sits on a white piece of parchment paper and is sprinkled with salt. More bars are blurred in the background.

No Bake Almond Butter Bars

Lemon & Avocado Kale Salad

Freebie alert!

Get My Free No Bake Desserts eBook!

Explore

More Chicken & Poultry

Turkey Swedish Meatballs

This is a side view of chicken pot pie in small ramekins. The ramekins sit on a small plate on a white counter with a fork laying on the side of the plate. A striped team towel is off to the side.

Cozy & Hearty Gluten Free Chicken Pot Pie (only 25 Min to prep!)

★★★★★

Hawaiian Chicken BBQ Kabobs

★★★★★

Low Carb Caprese Chicken Skillet

Browse All
15 No bake desserts

Download my FREE No Bake Dessert Ebook!

As seen on:

Food Network
Shape
Men's Health
NBC
Kitchn
Glamour
  • Browse by Diet
    • Gluten Free
    • Dairy Free
    • Vegan
    • Egg Free
    • Low Carb
    • Recipe Filter
  • Explore Resources
    • FAQ
    • My Baking Mixes
    • Cookbook
    • Shop Favorites
    • Web Stories
    • Meet Lindsay
Follow

@thetoastedpinenut

Accessibility

Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Contact

© 2023 The Toasted Pine Nut
|
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled Support by Foodie Digital
Back to Top
319 shares