Description
Indulge in the cozy flavors of Sweet and Savory Honey Roasted Butternut Squash Stuffed with Chicken. This delightful dish combines the sweetness of honey and caramelized butternut squash with savory, seasoned chicken for a perfect balance that appeals to all palates. Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or looking for a comforting weeknight meal, this recipe checks all the boxes. Easy to prepare and customizable, it encourages creativity in the kitchen while providing a wholesome and nutritious option for dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium butternut squash
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 small onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro
- Optional: crumbled feta or goat cheese
- Optional: toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Halve the butternut squash, score the flesh lightly, and drizzle with olive oil and honey. Season with salt and pepper, then roast for 40–45 minutes until tender.
- Meanwhile, heat remaining olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté chopped onion until soft, then add minced garlic.
- Add diced chicken to the skillet along with the spices; cook until browned and cooked through.
- Stir in fresh herbs and optional cheese/nuts into the chicken mixture.
- Scoop out some flesh from the roasted squash to create space for filling; mix it into the chicken mixture.
- Fill each squash half generously with the mixture and return to the oven for an optional final bake of 10 minutes.
- Serve warm, garnished as desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed squash half (about 300g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg