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Cozy Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash: Easy One-Pot Dinner

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A warm, comforting one-pot chicken stew with tender butternut squash, savory herbs, and a rich broth that naturally thickens as it simmers. Perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium butternut squash (about 3 cups cubed)
  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the squash: Cut off both ends, slice in half where the narrow neck meets the round bulb. Peel, scoop out seeds, and cut into 1-inch cubes. Pat dry if using pre-cut cubes.
  2. Season the chicken: Pat chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
  3. Brown the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a plate.
  4. Sauté aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook onion, carrots, and celery for 4-5 minutes until onion is translucent, scraping up browned bits.
  5. Add garlic and tomato paste: Stir in garlic and tomato paste; cook 1-2 minutes until tomato paste darkens.
  6. Combine everything: Return chicken to pot. Add squash, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and chicken broth. Stir gently.
  7. Simmer: Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 30-35 minutes until chicken is tender and squash is fork-tender.
  8. Shred chicken: Transfer chicken to a cutting board, let rest 2 minutes, then shred or chop into bite-sized pieces.
  9. Finish and serve: Return shredded chicken to pot. Stir, taste, and adjust seasoning. Remove bay leaves. Ladle into bowls and garnish with parsley if desired.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the chicken—it builds deep flavor. Cut squash into uniform 1-inch cubes for even cooking. Simmer on low heat to avoid toughening the chicken. Season in layers for best results. Let stew rest 10-15 minutes before serving for melded flavors. The stew thickens naturally as the squash breaks down; avoid adding too much liquid upfront.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken stew, butternut squash stew, one-pot dinner, fall recipe, comfort food, gluten-free, dairy-free, meal prep

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/cozy-chicken-stew-with-butternut-squash-easy-one-pot-dinner/