There’s a certain magic to weekend mornings, isn’t there? The promise of a slower pace, a second cup of coffee, and a truly satisfying breakfast. For the longest time, my weekend breakfast dream clashed with reality. I wanted something hearty and special, but the thought of a mountain of dishes by 10 AM always held me back.
That was my challenge: how to create a show-stopping breakfast that felt like a treat but didn’t demand my entire morning or every pan in my kitchen. This glorious breakfast skillet is my answer. It’s a complete, powerhouse meal all cooked in one pan, delivering crispy potatoes, savory chicken, and fluffy eggs without the mess. It solves the weekend breakfast dilemma beautifully.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Breakfast Skillet
- A True One-Pan Wonder: Everything comes together in a single skillet or Dutch oven, which means more flavor and way less cleanup.
- Packed with Nourishing Energy: This isn’t just a meal; it’s fuel. As a high protein breakfast recipe, the combination of lean chicken and eggs will keep you feeling full and satisfied for hours.
- Perfectly Crispy & Tender: We use a special technique to get the potatoes perfectly golden-brown and crispy on the outside while staying soft and tender on the inside.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe comes together with a handful of wholesome, flavorful ingredients. Here are the stars of the show:
For the Golden Potato Hash:
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika – My secret weapon! Smoked paprika gives the potatoes a deep, smoky flavor that regular paprika just can’t match. Don’t skip it!
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¾ lb (about 340 g) lean ground chicken or turkey – Using ground chicken keeps this dish light yet satisfying. It’s a fantastic choice for a ground chicken breakfast recipe.
- 1 large Russet potato & 1 medium sweet potato, cubed
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- ¾ cup zucchini, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup (60 mL) water
For the Herbed Soft Scramble:
- 6 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chives, minced
- 1 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch of coarse black pepper
The Secrets to Skillet Success
Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that take a good breakfast skillet and make it absolutely unforgettable. These are the non-negotiables for perfect results every time.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Give your potatoes space! Spreading them in a single, even layer is the key to developing that incredible golden crust. If you overcrowd them, they’ll steam instead of sear.
- Heat Control is Everything: Start with a hot pan (medium-high) to get that initial sear on the potatoes, then lower the heat and cover them to steam. This two-step process ensures they cook through perfectly.
- Cook the Eggs Separately & Gently: While you could cook the eggs in the same pan, making them in a separate non-stick skillet over low heat guarantees they come out perfectly soft, fluffy, and never overcooked.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Ready to create the best breakfast skillet of your life? Let’s do it!
- Season the Potatoes: In a large bowl, toss the cubed Russet and sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, smoked paprika, oregano, black pepper, and sea salt. Make sure every piece is coated.
- Forge the Crust: Place a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the potatoes in a single layer and let them cook, undisturbed, for 5-7 minutes. You’re looking for a deep golden-brown crust on the bottom.
- Sauté & Steam: Stir the potatoes and add the onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for 2 minutes. Pour in the water (it will sizzle!) and immediately cover with a lid. Lower the heat to medium-low and steam for 10-12 minutes, until the potatoes are fork-tender. This step is crucial for any good breakfast hash recipe.
- Brown the Chicken: Uncover the pot and push the potato mixture to one side. Add the ground chicken to the empty space and break it apart. Cook for 5-6 minutes until fully browned.
- Finish the Hash: Add the zucchini and garlic to the pan. Stir everything together and cook for another 3-4 minutes to let the flavors meld. This mix of Russet and sweet potato breakfast hash is simply divine.
- Whip the Eggs: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with fresh dill, chives, and a pinch of pepper until frothy.
- Scramble Softly: Heat the remaining 1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Pour in the eggs and cook gently, pushing them toward the center until they are softly set.
- Serve it Up: Divide the hash among three bowls and top with the fluffy scrambled eggs. Enjoy immediately!
Expert Tips & Smart Swaps
- Make it Your Own: This recipe is incredibly versatile. Don’t have zucchini? Throw in a handful of spinach at the end. Want to use sausage instead of chicken? Go for it!
- Storage & Reheating: Store the hash and eggs in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the hash in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of oil to bring back that crispy texture.
- Meal Prep Tip: You can chop all your vegetables and cube the potatoes the night before to make your morning even easier. Just store the cubed potatoes in a bowl of cold water in the fridge to prevent browning.
A Breakfast Worth Waking Up For
This breakfast skillet has become more than just a recipe in our home; it’s a weekend ritual. It’s proof that you can have a deeply satisfying, wholesome, and impressive meal without the stress or the mess.
I hope you give it a try and that it brings as much joy to your mornings as it does to ours. Happy cooking!
Sunrise Harvest Skillet
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Wide, heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or braiser (12-inch)
- Medium non-stick skillet
- Silicone Spatula
- Whisk
- Chef's knife & cutting board
Ingredients
For the Golden Potato Hash
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¾ lb about 340 g lean ground chicken or turkey
- 1 large Russet potato about 10 oz / 280 g, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 medium sweet potato about 8 oz / 225 g, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper chopped
- ¾ cup zucchini diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup 60 mL water
For the Herbed Soft Scramble
- 6 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chives minced
- 1 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch of coarse black pepper
Instructions
- Season the Spuds : In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed Russet and sweet potatoes. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then sprinkle with the smoked paprika, dried oregano, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and fine sea salt. Toss thoroughly until every cube is evenly coated.
- Forge the Potato Crust : Place the Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned potatoes in a single layer. Allow them to cook undisturbed for 5–7 minutes, until a deep golden-brown crust develops on the bottom.
- Sauté Aromatics & Steam : Stir the potatoes, then add the diced onion and red bell pepper to the pan. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour in ¼ cup of water—it will steam vigorously—and immediately cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce heat to medium-low and let the potatoes steam for 10–12 minutes, or until fork-tender.
- Brown the Ground Chicken : While the potatoes steam, prepare the chicken. Uncover the Dutch oven and push the potato mixture to one side. Add the ground chicken to the empty side of the pan, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until fully browned and no pink remains, about 5–6 minutes.
- Finish the Hash : Add the diced zucchini and minced garlic to the pan. Stir everything together—chicken, potatoes, and vegetables—and continue to cook for another 3–4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the zucchini to become tender-crisp.
- Whip & Scramble the Eggs : In a separate medium bowl, crack the 6 eggs. Add the fresh dill, chives, and a pinch of black pepper. Whisk vigorously for about 20 seconds until frothy. Heat the remaining 1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil in the non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Pour in the egg mixture. Let the eggs set for about 30 seconds around the edges before gently pushing them toward the center with a spatula. Continue this motion until they are softly set and still moist.
- Assemble Your Bowl : Divide the golden potato and chicken hash evenly among three bowls. Top each portion generously with the herbed soft-scrambled eggs and serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, store the hash and eggs in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the hash in a skillet with a splash of oil to revive its texture. Ingredient Swaps:
Feel free to substitute spinach or chopped kale for the zucchini; add it in the last two minutes of cooking. For a different flavor profile, swap the dill and chives for fresh basil and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Pro Tip:
For an even richer potato crust, ensure your Dutch oven is fully preheated before adding the potatoes. Resisting the urge to stir them for the first several minutes is key to developing that beautiful golden color.
Nutrition (per serving, approx.)
- Calories: 579 kcal
- Protein: 44 g
- Total Carbohydrate: 39 g
- Dietary Fiber: 7 g
- Total Sugars: 11 g
- Total Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 425 mg
- Sodium: 295 mg
- Potassium: 1480 mg
- Vitamin C: 84 mg
- Calcium: 125 mg
- Iron: 5 mg