Simple, vibrant, and effortlessly healthy, this Easy Lemon Chicken with Butternut Squash recipe offers succulent roasted chicken breasts infused with bright lemon over sweet, tender butternut squash, creating a perfect meal for any occasion.
PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!
Embracing Wholesome Meals After Indulgence
The holiday season, with its joyous gatherings and delectable feasts, often leaves us with hearts full and bellies even fuller. I trust you had a magnificent Thanksgiving, filled with cherished moments and culinary delights. It’s a day I anticipate all year, not just for the incredible food, but primarily for the precious time spent with family, sharing laughter and creating lasting memories.
However, let’s be honest: who didn’t overindulge just a little? And who’s feeling the delightful, yet slightly weighty, aftermath today? I certainly don’t hold back when the holiday spread is before me. Our typical Thanksgiving involves a leisurely late lunch, followed by continuous grazing throughout the afternoon and evening. And when those pies make their grand appearance? All bets are off. This year, I lost count around the 14th or 15th pie! Naturally, I felt compelled to sample a sliver of each. I left that night with not only a full heart but also an undeniably full stomach.
While I’d love to claim that I always wake up the next day with an immediate resolve to embark on a super-healthy eating spree, reality often dictates otherwise. There’s usually that essential slice of leftover pie for breakfast, followed by a savory turkey sandwich for lunch. But by the time dinner rolls around, a shift occurs. My body craves something light, fresh, and genuinely nourishing. That’s precisely where this delightful Easy Lemon Chicken with Butternut Squash steps in.
Your Go-To Healthy Dinner Solution: Lemon Chicken & Butternut Squash
This Easy Lemon Chicken with Butternut Squash isn’t just an antidote for post-Thanksgiving food coma; it’s a versatile hero for any day you need a wholesome, flavorful meal. Whether you’re trying to reset after holiday feasting, clear out your fridge of leftover turkey (or simply make room for new ingredients), or just need a simple, satisfying dinner on a busy Tuesday night, this recipe is your answer. With only a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, it delivers maximum taste and nutritional value. Clocking in at around 560 calories per serving, it’s a meal you can truly feel good about enjoying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortlessly Healthy: Packed with lean protein from chicken and vitamins from butternut squash, this dish is a nutritional powerhouse without sacrificing flavor.
- Quick & Easy: Requiring just 6 core ingredients and about 45 minutes from start to finish, it’s perfect for busy weeknights.
- Vibrant Flavors: The bright, zesty lemon beautifully complements the savory chicken and the sweet, earthy butternut squash. Fresh oregano adds an aromatic depth that elevates the entire dish.
- Versatile & Adaptable: While fantastic as is, this recipe also serves as a great base for customization with other vegetables or herbs.
- Post-Indulgence Reset: It’s the ideal meal to get back on track with healthy eating habits after holidays or periods of indulgence.
Key Ingredients Spotlight
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the stars of this simple yet elegant dish:
- Chicken Breasts: We opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts for lean protein. A key tip for perfect cooking is to thin them out. I prefer taking two larger chicken breasts (roughly 12 oz each) and carefully slicing them horizontally to create four thinner pieces. This method ensures even cooking, preventing the exterior from drying out before the center is thoroughly cooked. While pounding chicken thin is another option, slicing is often less messy and equally effective.
- Butternut Squash: This fall favorite brings natural sweetness, a creamy texture when roasted, and a wealth of vitamins (especially A and C) and fiber to the plate. Cubing it evenly is important for consistent roasting.
- Lemons: The hero of the dish! Fresh lemon juice brightens the chicken, cutting through any richness, while lemon slices roast alongside the squash, infusing it with their aromatic oils.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Essential for roasting the squash to golden perfection and searing the chicken for a beautiful crust.
- Fresh Oregano: This herb adds a wonderfully aromatic and slightly peppery note, complementing both the chicken and the squash. Using fresh oregano makes a noticeable difference in flavor.
- Garlic: Aromatic and foundational, thinly sliced garlic is briefly cooked to release its fragrance and infuse the pan juices with incredible depth.
Tips for Success
- Evenly Cut Squash: Ensure your butternut squash is cut into roughly 1-inch cubes so it roasts evenly and becomes tender at the same time.
- Thin Chicken Breasts: As mentioned, thinning the chicken breasts helps them cook quickly and evenly. If you can’t slice them, you can gently pound them between two sheets of plastic wrap.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: When roasting the squash and searing the chicken, ensure they are in a single layer without overcrowding the baking sheet or skillet. This allows for proper browning and caramelization, rather than steaming.
- Fresh Ingredients Matter: While dried herbs can be used, fresh lemon juice and fresh oregano truly elevate the flavor profile of this dish.
- Rest the Chicken: After cooking, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful meat.
As the festive season approaches with its array of Christmas treats, I’m certainly planning to incorporate more meals like this Easy Lemon Chicken with Butternut Squash into my weekly rotation. It’s an incredibly simple yet profoundly delicious way to maintain balance and ensure that healthy eating remains a priority amidst all the holiday cheer!
Serving Suggestions and Variations
This lemon chicken and butternut squash dish is quite complete on its own, offering a balanced meal. However, you can easily enhance it or introduce variations:
- Grain Addition: Serve alongside a bed of quinoa, brown rice, or couscous for an extra layer of texture and fiber.
- Leafy Greens: A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette would complement the meal beautifully, adding more freshness and crunch.
- Herb Variations: Experiment with other fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary in place of or in addition to oregano.
- Spicy Kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes added to the squash or chicken can provide a subtle heat.
- Add Veggies: Feel free to add other quick-roasting vegetables to the pan with the squash, such as bell peppers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes, for an even richer medley of flavors and nutrients.
More Healthy Chicken Dinner Ideas:
Baked Chicken Parmesan
Fiesta Chicken Tacos with Mango and Jicama Salad
Honey Balsamic Drumsticks
Easy Lemon Chicken with Butternut Squash
Simple and healthy, this Easy Lemon Chicken with Butternut Squash serves up roasted chicken breasts doused in lemon juice over roasted butternut squash.
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 to 2 lbs cubed peeled butternut squash
- 2 lemons (1 sliced, 1 juiced)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped, divided
- 4 (6 oz each) boneless, skinless chicken breasts*
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450ºF (230ºC). In a large bowl, combine the cubed butternut squash, sliced lemon, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of chopped oregano, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Toss thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well coated. Transfer the mixture to a rimmed baking sheet, spreading it in a single layer. Roast in the preheated oven, undisturbed, for about 30 minutes, or until the squash is tender and beautifully browned at the edges.
- While the squash is roasting, prepare the chicken. Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the hot skillet. Carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until one side is golden brown. Flip the chicken over, then immediately transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven. Continue to roast for an additional 5-8 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165ºF/74ºC).
- Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove the skillet from the oven and return it to the stovetop over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Pour in the fresh lemon juice and sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon of fresh oregano over the chicken. Cook for another minute, continuously spooning the delicious pan juices over the chicken breasts. Serve the lemon chicken immediately alongside the roasted butternut squash and lemon slices. Drizzle generously with the flavorful pan juices before serving.
Recipe Notes:
*For even cooking, I typically take two larger chicken breasts and carefully cut them open horizontally to create four thinner pieces. This ensures they cook more uniformly and remain tender.
Source: Food Network Magazine November 2015
Did you make this delicious recipe?
We’d love to see your culinary creations!
Tag us on Instagram @tasteandtell and use the hashtag #tasteandtell. Or, feel free to leave a comment and rating below to share your experience!