Butternut Squash Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Couscous

Right here’s the deal. One evening about 5 years in the past now Tony and I had been deliriously hungry however couldn’t make up our minds as to the place we should always exit to eat. Typically determining and agreeing on a restaurant is very similar to determining what we’re going to look at on Netflix. We simply can’t resolve.

After about an hour of going backwards and forwards on which restaurant we had been going to exit to, I opened the fridge and determined that I used to be merely going to whip one thing up. I pulled out rooster breast, broccoli and cheddar cheese. As a result of broccoli cheddar is the very best combo, amiright? Hiya, broccoli cheddar chicken pot pie. Then I glanced into the cabinet and located the final of my very favourite pearl couscous and knew what was about to go down.

About Half-hour later, Tony and I had been having a superb, filling, veggie and protein-packed broccoli cheddar rooster couscous whereas watching some bizarre documentary about Scottish wild cats on Netflix. Ha. The subsequent day there have been leftovers, so I made a decision to roast some butternut squash that wanted for use up and add it to the dish. OH MY GOSH, it was fabulous — candy, spicy, tacky, savory and SO good I knew I needed to remake it for the weblog.

I’m bringing again this unbelievable butternut squash broccoli cheddar rooster couscous on your consolation meals weeknight cravings. It’s the right approach to make use of up the final of winter squash, too!

Every thing you’ll must make this broccoli cheddar rooster couscous

This scrumptious rooster couscous recipe is full of a lot of veggies, lean protein and FLAVOR! Principally, this is sort of a wholesome model of mac and cheese with veggies and protein. I’M SO INTO IT. Right here’s what you’ll must make it:

• Butternut squash: you’ll roast it to tender perfection with somewhat olive oil, maple syrup, chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt & pepper. SO GOOD.
• Hen: be at liberty to make use of rooster breast or thighs. You’ll prepare dinner it with garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, salt & pepper.
• Broccoli: gotta love the enhance of greens on this meal.
• Couscous: I’ll say that the couscous actually takes the dish to the subsequent degree. It’s barely chewy and doughy, which provides it a pasta-like taste/texture. It’s vital that you just use Israeli or pearl couscous to maintain the feel of the dish (it’s like mini child gnocchi!)
• Cheese: you’ll additionally want some cheddar cheese for that incredible mac and cheese taste and to tug the dish collectively.

Customise this rooster couscous

As a result of this broccoli cheddar rooster couscous was really a throw-together meal, it’s additionally simple to customise. Right here’s what I can advocate:

• Select your veggies: I really like the crisp bites of broccoli however be at liberty to combine in some roasted brussels sprouts, spinach and even kale for a lift of greens!
• Go vegetarian: as a substitute of rooster, be at liberty to make use of 1 can of drained and rinsed chickpeas or white beans. Merely add them on to the couscous as soon as it’s executed cooking.
• Add a kick of warmth: Tony says it’s scrumptious with somewhat sizzling sauce on prime if that’s your factor! A sprinkle of purple pepper flakes would even be scrumptious.
• Swap the squash: you might additionally roast up candy potato the identical approach you do the butternut squash. Straightforward!
• Add additional savory taste: I believe some cooked, chopped up bacon would even be scrumptious on this recipe.

Can I make it gluten free?

A reminder that pearl couscous shouldn’t be gluten free as a result of it’s basically like mini pasta! You possibly can attempt utilizing white basmati rice instead of the couscous, however observe that the liquids and cooking occasions will differ. Let me know within the feedback for those who attempt it!

Straightforward vegan choices

In the event you’re trying to make this broccoli cheddar couscous vegan or dairy free, attempt utilizing a vegan cheese shreds, vegan queso like Siete, or stirring on this cashew cheese sauce.

Suggestions for prepping your butternut squash

Earlier than you roast it up, keep in mind to get all of our ideas & tips for peeling and cubing butternut squash here! You’ll roast up these cubes with the spices earlier than including them within the dish.

Find out how to make this butternut squash rooster couscous

1. Roast the squash. Begin by including the butternut squash cubes to a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Add the olive oil, maple syrup and spices, and toss the squash effectively earlier than roasting. Get extra ideas for roasting butternut squash here!
2. Cook dinner the rooster. Whereas the squash is roasting, prepare dinner your cubed rooster in a skillet with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt & pepper. Switch it to a bowl as soon as it’s cooked.
3. Cook dinner the couscous & broccoli. The broccoli florets truly steam within the pot with the couscous, so that you’ll wish to add each to a big pot or dutch oven with water or broth. Deliver them to a boil, then cowl, scale back the warmth to low and prepare dinner for simply 8-10 minutes whole.
4. Combine & serve. As soon as the couscous absorbs the water, give it a stir after which fold within the cooked rooster and shredded cheddar. Lastly, combine within the roasted butternut squash, style and modify the seasonings, and revel in!

Storing ideas

Retailer any leftover broccoli cheddar rooster couscous in airtight containers within the fridge for as much as 4-5 days. Merely reheat within the microwave!

Extra cozy dinner recipes

Get all of our scrumptious dinner recipes here!

I hope you’re keen on this broccoli cheddar rooster couscous! In the event you make it remember to depart a remark and a ranking so I understand how you favored it. Get pleasure from, xo!

Roasted Butternut Squash Broccoli Cheddar Hen Couscous

Cozy and scrumptious broccoli cheddar rooster couscous with candy and spicy roasted butternut squash. You may love this simple, comforting dinner recipe for any evening of the week! Child-friendly and simply vegetarian, too.

Substances

• For the butternut squash:
• 4
  cups
  cubed butternut squash (from about 2 kilos butternut squash)
• 1
  tablespoon
  olive oil
• ½
  tablespoon
  pure maple syrup
• ½
  teaspoon
  chili powder
• ½
  teaspoon
  garlic powder
• ¼
  teaspoon
  cayenne pepper
• Freshly floor salt and pepper
• For the rooster:
• 1
  tablespoon
  olive oil
• 1
  pound
  boneless skinless rooster breast, minimize into chew sized chunks (may also use boneless skinless rooster thighs)
• 1
  teaspoon
  garlic powder
• 1/2
  teaspoon
  paprika
• 1/2
  teaspoon
  cayenne pepper
• Freshly floor salt and pepper
• For the broccoli cheddar couscous:
• 1 3/4
  cup
  water or low sodium rooster broth
• 1
  cup
  israeli (or pearl) couscous
• 1
  medium head broccoli, minimize into small florets (about 3 ½ cups broccoli florets)
• 1 1/2
  cups
  shredded cheddar cheese
• Freshly floor salt and pepper, to style

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 levels F. Line a big baking sheet with parchment paper. Place butternut squash cubes on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and maple syrup. Sprinkle on chili powder, garlic powder and cayenne pepper. Generously season with freshly floor salt and pepper. Use your arms to toss collectively in order that the squash is effectively coated. 

2. Bake for 20-Half-hour, flipping midway by means of, till the squash is tender. As soon as executed, permit to relaxation on baking sheet till you might be prepared so as to add to the remainder of the dish.

3. Whereas the squash is cooking, prepare dinner your rooster breast. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a big skillet and place over medium-high warmth. Add in rooster. Instantly sprinkle with garlic powder, paprika and cayenne pepper and generously season with salt and pepper. Cook dinner rooster for 5-8 minutes till not pink. Take away from warmth and set skillet apart or switch to a bowl.

4. To make the couscous: On this order add the next to a big pot or dutch oven: water, couscous and broccoli florets. Deliver to a boil, then cowl, scale back warmth to low and prepare dinner for 8-10 minutes whole; examine after 5 minutes and provides all the pieces a stir. 

5. Change the lid and permit to prepare dinner for 3-5 extra minutes to soak up the water. Stir once more, after which add in cooked rooster and shredded cheddar. Stir to soften the cheddar.

6.  Lastly fold within the roasted butternut squash. Style and modify seasonings as vital. Get pleasure from! Serves 4.

Recipe Notes

To make vegetarian: As a substitute of rooster, be at liberty to make use of 1 can of drained and rinsed chickpeas or white beans. Add on to couscous as soon as it’s executed cooking.

To make gluten free: You’ll be able to attempt utilizing white basmati rice instead of the couscous, however please know that liquids and cooking occasions will differ.

To make vegan: As a substitute of utilizing cheese, attempt utilizing 1/2 Siete queso, a vegan queso. You can even make a do-it-yourself cashew cheese sauce and mix in.

Vitamin

Servings: 4 servings

Serving measurement: 1 serving

Energy: 543kcal

Fats: 18.9g

Saturated fats: 6.8g

Carbohydrates: 26.4g

Fiber: 6.3g

Sugar: 8g

Protein: 42.4g

Recipe by: Monique Volz // Bold Kitchen Pictures by: Eat Love Eats

This submit was initially revealed on December tenth, 2018, republished on February twenty fourth, 2022, and republished on January 1st, 2023.