Description
Honey roasted butternut squash filled with seasoned chicken creates a delightful autumn meal. Mediterranean flavors blend perfectly in this comforting dish you’ll want to savor with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium butternut squash, halved and seeds removed
- 2 cups (about 340 g) cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie works well)
- ¼ cup (30 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ cup (40 g) dried cranberries or raisins
- ¼ cup (30 g) chopped walnuts or pecans
- ¼ cup (60 ml) chicken broth or stock
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps honey
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried rosemary
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Drizzle of honey
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Ignite the oven to 400F (200C), creating the perfect roasting environment for the butternut squash.
- Squash Preparation: Bisect the butternut squash lengthwise, delicately removing seeds to craft a pristine vessel for the upcoming culinary adventure.
- Seasoning Infusion: Anoint the squash interior with olive oil, then lavish with cinnamon, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, awakening its inherent flavor potential.
- Initial Roasting: Lay the squash cut-side down on a baking sheet, allowing it to transform for 35-40 minutes until the flesh surrenders effortlessly to a fork’s gentle prod.
- Chicken Transformation: Simultaneously, animate a skillet with olive oil over medium heat, introducing chicken breasts seasoned with salt, pepper, and a whisper of cinnamon, cooking until reaching 165F (75C) internal temperature.
- Chicken Deconstruction: Tenderly shred the cooked chicken using two forks, preparing it for its squash sanctuary.
- Flavor Assembly: Excavate a portion of the roasted squash’s flesh, creating a cozy nest, then nestle the shredded chicken into this golden haven.
- Sweet Elevation: Cascade honey over the chicken-filled squash, introducing a luxurious sweet counterpoint to the savory elements.
- Final Roasting: Return the stuffed squash to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and intensify.
- Culinary Presentation: Serve as an elegant main course, optionally adorned with fresh thyme leaves and accompanied by a crisp green salad or roasted seasonal vegetables.
Notes
- Squash Selection Strategy: Choose a butternut squash with a long, uniform neck for easier roasting and more stuffing space.
- Moisture Management: Blot chicken with paper towels before shredding to prevent excess liquid and maintain a crisp texture.
- Flavor Boosting Technique: Toast ground cinnamon briefly in the skillet before seasoning to enhance its aromatic depth and complexity.
- Temperature Control Hack: Use a meat thermometer to precisely gauge chicken doneness, preventing overcooking and ensuring juicy meat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg