23 May 2025
Cook time 30 min
Prep time 15 min
Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
4 chicken breasts
1 onion
3/4 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tbsp ginger
1/4 tbsp paprika
1 tsp coriander leaves
1/8 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups chicken broth
2 cups squash
1 can canned tomatoes
1.50 cups couscous
This one-pot chicken & butternut squash stew is a delicious and hearty meal perfect for any night of the week. Utilizing simple and flavorful ingredients, it provides a rich and comforting taste while being easy to prepare and clean up.
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Ingredients:
- Finely chop the onion.
- Peel and cube the butternut squash if not pre-cut.
- Mince or grate the ginger if using fresh.
2. Brown the Chicken:
- Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken breasts and brown them on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
3. Sauté the Aromatics:
- In the same pot, add the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until translucent.
- Stir in the ground cumin, ginger, paprika, coriander leaves, cinnamon, and salt. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Combine Ingredients:
- Pour in the chicken broth and canned tomatoes (including juices), stirring to combine.
- Add the cubed butternut squash to the pot.
- Return the browned chicken breasts to the pot, submerging them in the liquid.
5. Cook the Stew:
- Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the butternut squash is tender.
6. Prepare the Couscous:
- While the stew is simmering, prepare the couscous according to the package instructions. Typically, you'll bring water (or additional chicken broth) to a boil, add the couscous, cover, and let it sit off the heat for about 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
7. Serve:
- Once the chicken and butternut squash are cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the pot and shred or cut them into bite-sized pieces, then return them to the stew.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve the stew over a bed of couscous, garnished with additional chopped coriander leaves if desired.
Tips:
- Cut the butternut squash into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier result.
- Toast the cumin and paprika briefly in the olive oil before adding other ingredients to enhance their flavors.
- If you like a bit of spice, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- When cooking the couscous, cover the pot and let it steam for 5 minutes off the heat after adding it to the stew.
This one-pot chicken and butternut squash stew is not only nutritious but also incredibly flavorful. Perfect for busy weeknights, it offers a wonderful combination of tender chicken, sweet squash, and well-seasoned broth that will make this dish a new family favorite.