Cozy Harvest Bowl with Sweet Potato & Apple Cider Dressing Recipe

Harvest bowls represent the quintessential autumn dining experience, blending seasonal ingredients into a comforting and nourishing meal.

Vibrant colors and robust flavors characterize these nutrient-dense culinary creations that celebrate nature’s bounty.

Roasted vegetables, hearty grains, and thoughtfully crafted dressings refine simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Each harvest bowl tells a story of regional agriculture and culinary creativity, connecting diners with local produce and traditional cooking techniques.

Wholesome and satisfying, these bowls offer a balanced approach to eating that feels both indulgent and healthful.

Warm spices and carefully selected ingredients elevate the entire dining experience beyond mere sustenance.

The combination of textures and complementary flavors creates a symphony of taste that delights the senses.

Tips for The Best Harvest Bowl

• Massage Kale Gently: Use your hands to work the dressing into kale leaves, breaking down their tough fibers and making them more tender and flavorful.
• Roast Sweet Potatoes Perfectly: Ensure even cooking by cutting sweet potato cubes into uniform sizes and spreading them in a single layer without overcrowding.
• Balance Dressing Distribution: Drizzle dressing gradually to control moisture and prevent the bowl from becoming soggy, adding just enough to coat ingredients.
• Enhance Texture Contrast: Toast pecans lightly before adding to boost their nutty flavor and provide a satisfying crunch against soft sweet potatoes.
• Prep Ingredients Ahead: Chop vegetables, cook chicken, and prepare dressing in advance to streamline assembly and make mealtime quicker and easier.

Storing and Reheating Harvest Bowl with Sweet Potato and Apple Cider Dressing

• Refrigeration: Store your harvest bowl in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep dressing separate to prevent soggy ingredients and maintain crisp textures.
• Reheating: Warm sweet potatoes and chicken in the microwave for 60-90 seconds, stirring midway. Add fresh kale and cold toppings after reheating to preserve their crunch and brightness.
• Freezing: Not recommended due to delicate ingredients like apples, feta, and pomegranate seeds that will change texture and quality when thawed. Best enjoyed fresh within 2-3 days of preparation.

Pairing Harvest Bowl with Other Foods

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complements the sweet and tangy flavors of the harvest bowl, cutting through the richness of the feta and sweet potatoes.
• Match with Autumn-Inspired Beverage: Warm apple cider or a light hard cider echoes the apple elements in the dish, creating a harmonious flavor connection that celebrates seasonal ingredients.
• Serve with Crusty Artisan Bread: A rustic sourdough or whole grain bread provides a delightful textural contrast, helping to soak up the delicious apple cider dressing and adding a satisfying crunch to the meal.
• Complete with Fresh Herbal Tea: A light chamomile or mint tea balances the robust flavors of the harvest bowl, offering a refreshing and cleansing finish to the dining experience.

Variations of Harvest Bowl

• Autumn Quinoa Power Bowl: Swap sweet potatoes with roasted butternut squash, replace chicken with grilled tofu, and use quinoa as the base grain for a vegetarian protein-packed alternative.
• Mediterranean Harvest Fusion: Substitute feta with creamy goat cheese, add roasted red peppers, use za'atar-spiced chicken, and drizzle with herb-infused olive oil for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwest Harvest Bowl: Replace apple cider dressing with chipotle-lime vinaigrette, use black beans instead of chicken, add grilled corn, top with cilantro, and sprinkle with cotija cheese for a zesty southwestern flair.
• Winter Root Vegetable Bowl: Incorporate roasted parsnips and carrots alongside sweet potatoes, use shredded rotisserie chicken, swap pecans for pumpkin seeds, and add a maple-mustard dressing for a hearty winter variation.

Harvest Bowl with Sweet Potato and Apple Cider Dressing: A Fall Favorite

• Savor Speedy Nutrition: This harvest bowl delivers a quick, wholesome meal packed with nutrients, combining roasted sweet potatoes, tender kale, and protein-rich chicken in under 30 minutes.
• Enjoy Texture Symphony: Experience a delightful mix of crispy roasted sweet potatoes, soft massaged kale, crunchy pecans, and juicy apple chunks that create an exciting mouth-feel with every bite.
• Master Simple Cooking Techniques: Learn easy air fryer or oven roasting methods for sweet potatoes, plus the kale-massaging trick that transforms tough leaves into a silky, flavorful base for your bowl.

Ingredients for Harvest Bowl with Sweet Potato and Apple Cider Dressing

Main Ingredients:

Sweet Potatoes: Fresh, firm sweet potatoes with vibrant orange color and smooth skin for best roasting results.

Kale: Dark, crisp kale leaves with sturdy texture, perfect for massaging and absorbing dressing.

Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs for lean protein and easy preparation.

Produce and Fruits:

Apples: Crisp, sweet-tart variety like Honeycrisp or Gala for refreshing crunch and balanced flavor.

Pomegranate Seeds: Bright red, juicy seeds offering sweet-tart burst and beautiful color contrast.

Dressing and Cheese Components:

Olive Oil: High-quality extra virgin olive oil for roasting sweet potatoes and providing smooth dressing base.

Sea Salt: Coarse sea salt for enhancing roasted sweet potato flavor and seasoning.

Feta Cheese: Tangy, crumbly cheese adding creamy texture and sharp flavor to the harvest bowl.

Nut and Garnish:

Pecans: Toasted, chopped pecans for nutty crunch and additional protein in the harvest bowl.

Dressing Ingredients:

Apple Cider: Fresh, unfiltered apple cider creating tangy and sweet dressing foundation.

How to Make Harvest Bowl & Dressing

Step 1: Roast Sweet Potatoes

• Olive oil
• Salt

Cook in a single layer for 12 minutes, shaking basket halfway through.

For oven method: Preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss sweet potato cubes with olive oil and sea salt. Spread in even layer and roast for 30 minutes, flipping once midway.

Step 2: Massage Kale

Slice kale into thin strips and place in large mixing bowl. Create dressing in separate bowl. Pour of dressing over kale. Use hands to massage kale until leaves become tender and reduce in volume by approximately half.

Step 3: Build Harvest Bowl

• Roasted sweet potatoes
• Cooked chicken
• Cubed apple
• Feta cheese
• Chopped pecans
• Pomegranate seeds

Drizzle remaining dressing over assembled bowl. Gently toss all ingredients to ensure even coating and distribution of flavors.

Dressing Recipe:

(Note: Dressing ingredients were not specified in original content, so I cannot provide those details)

Serving Suggestion: Best enjoyed immediately while ingredients are warm and crisp.

Harvest Bowl With Sweet Potato And Apple Cider Dressing Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Harvest Bowl celebrates autumn’s bounty with roasted sweet potatoes, crisp kale, and tangy apple cider dressing. Hearty grains, toasted pecans, and caramelized seasonal vegetables create a comforting meal you’ll savor with each delicious bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (1 pound) sweet potatoes, cubed
• 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
• 4 cups lacinato kale, thinly sliced, or arugula
• ½ honeycrisp apple, cut into ½ inch cubes or thinly sliced

Toppings and Garnishes:

• ½ cup feta cheese
• ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
• ½ cup pomegranate seeds

Dressing Ingredients:

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Cooking Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon sea salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare sweet potatoes by cubing them into uniform 1-inch (2.5 centimeters) pieces, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture.
2. For air fryer method, set temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius), lightly coat sweet potato cubes with olive oil and sea salt, arranging them in a single layer to promote crispy edges.
3. Air fry sweet potatoes for 12 minutes, gently shaking the basket midway through cooking to guarantee even browning and prevent sticking.
4. Alternatively, for oven roasting, preheat to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (218 degrees Celsius), line baking sheet with parchment paper, distribute seasoned sweet potato cubes in a single layer.
5. Roast sweet potatoes for approximately 30 minutes, carefully flipping them once to achieve golden-brown exterior and tender interior.
6. Thinly slice fresh kale into delicate ribbons, placing them in a spacious mixing bowl.
7. Whisk apple cider dressing ingredients until smoothly incorporated and well-blended.
8. Drizzle of dressing over kale, using hands to massage leaves until they soften, reduce in volume, and absorb flavors.
9. Layer roasted sweet potato cubes atop massaged kale as the first component of the harvest bowl.
10. Add cooked chicken pieces, ensuring they are evenly distributed across the bowl.
11. Strategically place cubed apple pieces for fresh, crisp texture and subtle sweetness.
12. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese to introduce tangy, creamy elements to the composition.
13. Scatter chopped pecans for delightful crunch and nutty undertones.
14. Garnish with vibrant pomegranate seeds to provide bursts of color and tart flavor.
15. Drizzle remaining apple cider dressing over entire bowl, gently tossing ingredients to ensure comprehensive flavor integration.

Notes

• Roast sweet potatoes until golden and crispy for maximum flavor and texture, ensuring even cooking by shaking or flipping midway.
• Massage kale with dressing to break down tough fibers, making it more tender and easier to digest while enhancing overall taste.
• Choose ripe, firm apples that provide a crisp, sweet contrast to the savory ingredients and complement the apple cider dressing.
• Toast pecans briefly before adding to intensify their nutty flavor and provide a satisfying crunch to the harvest bowl.
• Experiment with protein options like grilled tofu or roasted chickpeas for a vegetarian alternative to chicken.
• Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, allowing flavors to meld and develop.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 620 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 48 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 35 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg