Tahini-Dressed Chicken & Kale

Place an oven rack in the center of the oven, then preheat to 450°F. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Medium dice the sweet potato. Peel 2 cloves of garlic. Roughly chop 1 clove. Using a zester, finely grate the remaining clove into a paste (or use the small side of a box grater). Separate the kale leaves from the stems; discard the stems, then roughly chop the leaves. Quarter and deseed the lemon. In a bowl, whisk together the tahini, mayonnaise, soy sauce, the juice of 2 lemon wedges, 2 teaspoons of water, and as much of the garlic paste as you’d like. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. 

Place the diced sweet potato on a sheet pan. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons of olive oil and season with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Arrange in an even layer. Roast 19 to 21 minutes, or until browned and tender when pierced with a fork. Remove from the oven. 

Meanwhile, pat the chicken dry with paper towels; season on both sides with salt, pepper, and enough of the spice blend to coat (you may have extra). In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned chicken. Cook 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through.* Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer to a cutting board. 

*An instant-read thermometer should register 165°F.

In the pan of reserved fond, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the chopped garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until slightly softened. Add the chopped kale; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to  3 minutes, or until slightly wilted. Add 1/4 cup of water (carefully, as the liquid may splatter) and the juice of the remaining lemon wedges. Cook, stirring occasionally and scraping up any fond, 2 to 3 minutes, or until the kale is wilted and the liquid has cooked off. Transfer to a large bowl. 

To the bowl of cooked kale, add the roasted sweet potato and peppers. Season with salt and pepper; toss to combine. Slice the cooked chicken crosswise. Serve the finished vegetables topped with the sliced chicken and dressing. Enjoy!