Chicken thighs seasoned with chili powder, smoked paprika, and orange zest and baked with sweet potatoes make a delicious Convection meal. Prepared in a Convection Speed oven with a little Microwave assist reduces the cooking time without sacrificing the results.

The great thing about cooking with a Convection Speed oven is that you get all the benefits of Convection cooking with a bit of added speed from the low wattage of microwave power. In this preparation, we begin by cooking the chicken with a combination of Convection and Microwave power for 10 minutes. Then when the sweet potatoes are added the cooking is finished in the Convection mode.

Finishing the cooking in the Convection mode allows you to cook on two racks at one time and because the chicken got a head start both dishes will be ready at the same time. In other words this is a good use of the oven tools.

INGREDIENTS

For the chicken

6 bone-in chicken thighs

2 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp smoked paprika

1 tsp ground cumin

½ tsp dried oregano

½ tsp salt

4 tbsp orange juice

1 tbsp orange zest

1 tbsp lime juice

1 tbsp olive oil

For the sweet potatoes

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut in half lengthwise, then cut into ½ ” slices

1 tbsp olive oil

For the black beans

1 can black beans, rinsed and dried

1 small jalapeno, seeds removed, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro leaves

1 tbsp lime juice

1 tbsp olive oil

PREPARATION

Heat the Speed oven in the Convection Mode to 375°F.

Rub the seasoning and oil into the chicken pieces and arrange them on a shallow-rimmed baking dish.

Place the tray in the heated oven and touch the Microwave + symbol to add 360W microwave paper and set the timer for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, toss the sweet potatoes with the oil and spread them onto a rimmed baking sheet. When the timer has elapsed touch the Microwave - symbol, and place the potatoes in the oven on the wire rack.

Continue cooking the chicken and sweet potatoes in the Convection mode at 375℉ for another 15 - 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes are fork tender.

Combine the black beans with the jalapeno, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, and olive oil. Combine the mixture with the sweet potatoes before serving.

Serves 4