Description
Rustic Hearty Chicken Stew with Quinoa & Butternut Squash delivers comfort straight from Mediterranean kitchens. Protein-packed quinoa and sweet squash blend perfectly with tender chicken, creating a nourishing meal that warms you from the inside out.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
Starches and Grains:
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups (32 fluid ounces) chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare butternut squash by tossing cubed pieces with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roast squash on a baking sheet for 20-25 minutes until golden and tender, creating caramelized edges.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and cook diced chicken until it develops a rich, brown exterior.
- Remove chicken and set aside, then sauté diced onions and minced garlic in the same pot until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Return chicken to the pot and add quinoa, chicken broth, thyme, and cumin, creating a robust flavor base.
- Pour in roasted butternut squash and bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes, allowing quinoa to absorb liquid and become fluffy while chicken becomes incredibly tender.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Let the stew rest for a few minutes to allow flavors to meld, then serve hot in deep bowls for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Roast butternut squash ahead of time to intensify its natural sweetness and create deeper caramelized edges for extra flavor complexity.
- Consider swapping chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian version that maintains protein-rich nutritional profile.
- Customize spice levels by adding smoked paprika or red pepper flakes for those who enjoy more heat and complexity in their stew.
- Prep ingredients in advance to streamline cooking process, allowing chopped vegetables and cubed chicken to be ready before starting the actual cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Stewing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg