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 must always exit to eat. Typically determining and agreeing on a restaurant is very like determining what we’re going to look at on Netflix. We simply can’t determine.
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 hen breast, broccoli and cheddar cheese. As a result of broccoli cheddar is the very best combo, amiright? Howdy, broccoli cheddar hen 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 hen couscous whereas watching some bizarre documentary about Scottish wild cats on Netflix. Ha. The following 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 hen couscous on your consolation meals weeknight cravings. It’s the right method to make use of up the final of winter squash, too!
All the things you’ll have to make this broccoli cheddar hen couscous
This scrumptious hen couscous recipe is filled with a number of veggies, lean protein and FLAVOR! Mainly, 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 have to make it:
- Butternut squash: you’ll roast it to tender perfection with a bit olive oil, maple syrup, chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt & pepper. SO GOOD.
- Rooster: be happy to make use of hen 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 following stage. It’s barely chewy and doughy, which provides it a pasta-like taste/texture. It’s essential 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 hen couscous
As a result of this broccoli cheddar hen couscous was actually a throw-together meal, it’s additionally straightforward to customise. Right here’s what I can suggest:
- Select your veggies: I like the crisp bites of broccoli however be happy to combine in some roasted brussels sprouts, spinach and even kale for a lift of greens!
- Go vegetarian: as an alternative of hen, be happy 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 performed cooking.
- Add a kick of warmth: Tony says it’s scrumptious with a bit scorching sauce on prime if that’s your factor! A sprinkle of pink pepper flakes would even be scrumptious.
- Swap the squash: you would additionally roast up candy potato the identical method you do the butternut squash. Simple!
- Add further 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 could possibly strive utilizing white basmati rice instead of the couscous, however notice that the liquids and cooking instances will differ. Let me know within the feedback in case you strive it!
Simple vegan choices
Should you’re seeking to make this broccoli cheddar couscous vegan or dairy free, strive 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 suggestions & methods for peeling and cubing butternut squash right here! You’ll roast up these cubes with the spices earlier than including them within the dish.
How one can make this butternut squash hen couscous
- Roast the squash. Begin by including the butternut squash cubes to a massive baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Add the olive oil, maple syrup and spices, and toss the squash effectively earlier than roasting. Get extra suggestions for roasting butternut squash right here!
- Prepare dinner the hen. Whereas the squash is roasting, prepare dinner your cubed hen in a skillet with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt & pepper. Switch it to a bowl as soon as it’s cooked.
- Prepare dinner the couscous & broccoli. The broccoli florets really steam within the pot with the couscous, so that you’ll need to add each to a big pot or dutch oven with water or broth. Carry them to a boil, then cowl, scale back the warmth to low and prepare dinner for simply 8-10 minutes complete.
- Combine & serve. As soon as the couscous absorbs the water, give it a stir after which fold within the cooked hen and shredded cheddar. Lastly, combine within the roasted butternut squash, style and modify the seasonings, and luxuriate in!
Storing suggestions
Retailer any leftover broccoli cheddar hen couscous in hermetic 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 right here!
I hope you like this broccoli cheddar hen couscous! Should you make it you should definitely depart a remark and a score so I understand how you appreciated it. Get pleasure from, xo!
Roasted Butternut Squash Broccoli Cheddar Rooster Couscous
Cozy and scrumptious broccoli cheddar hen couscous with candy and spicy roasted butternut squash. You will love this straightforward, comforting dinner recipe for any evening of the week! Child-friendly and simply vegetarian, too.
Components
- 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 hen:
-
1
tablespoon
olive oil -
1
pound
boneless skinless hen breast, reduce into chunk sized chunks (may use boneless skinless hen 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 hen broth -
1
cup
israeli (or pearl) couscous -
1
medium head broccoli, reduce into small florets (about 3 ½ cups broccoli florets) -
1 1/2
cups
shredded cheddar cheese - Freshly floor salt and pepper, to style
Directions
-
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 palms to toss collectively in order that the squash is effectively coated.
-
Bake for 20-Half-hour, flipping midway by way of, till the squash is tender. As soon as performed, permit to relaxation on baking sheet till you might be prepared so as to add to the remainder of the dish.
-
Whereas the squash is cooking, prepare dinner your hen breast. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a big skillet and place over medium-high warmth. Add in hen. Instantly sprinkle with garlic powder, paprika and cayenne pepper and generously season with salt and pepper. Prepare dinner hen for 5-8 minutes till not pink. Take away from warmth and set skillet apart or switch to a bowl.
-
To make the couscous: On this order add the next to a big pot or dutch oven: water, couscous and broccoli florets. Carry to a boil, then cowl, scale back warmth to low and prepare dinner for 8-10 minutes complete; test after 5 minutes and provides the whole lot a stir.
-
Substitute 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 hen and shredded cheddar. Stir to soften the cheddar.
-
Lastly fold within the roasted butternut squash. Style and modify seasonings as needed. Get pleasure from! Serves 4.
Recipe Notes
To make vegetarian: As an alternative of hen, be happy to make use of 1 can of drained and rinsed chickpeas or white beans. Add on to couscous as soon as it’s performed cooking.
To make gluten free: You may strive utilizing white basmati rice instead of the couscous, however please know that liquids and cooking instances will differ.
To make vegan: As an alternative of utilizing cheese, strive utilizing 1/2 Siete queso, a vegan queso. You may as well make a do-it-yourself cashew cheese sauce and mix in.
Vitamin
Servings: 4 servings
Serving dimension: 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 Images by: Eat Love Eats
This publish was initially printed on December tenth, 2018, republished on February twenty fourth, 2022, and republished on January 1st, 2023.