Creamy Butternut Chicken Pasta Delight
This Creamy Butternut Chicken Pasta Delight is a comforting dish that harmonizes the sweet, nutty flavors of butternut squash with tender chicken, enveloped in a silky homemade sauce. The butternut squash transforms into a rich, velvety sauce that luxuriously coats the pasta, making every bite a delightful experience. Infused with aromatic rosemary and enriched with sautéed onion and garlic, this dish is a wholesome and hearty meal perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner. Inspired by classic Italian flavors, this version omits shrimp and eggplant, focusing on the delightful combination of chicken and butternut squash in each forkful.
6
Servings
367
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (measured)
large onion
1 (chopped)
large garlic cloves
3 (finely chopped)
chicken breasts
2 lbs (cut into 1-inch pieces)
butternut squash
1 small (peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon (chopped)
chicken broth
3 1/4 cups (measured)
pasta
12 ounces (of your choice)
Instructions
1
In a heavy-duty nonstick frying pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the finely chopped garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
2
Add the cubed chicken breast pieces to the pan, cooking them through until no longer pink and lightly browned on the edges, approximately 7-10 minutes.
3
Stir in the diced butternut squash along with fresh rosemary, and continue to sauté for 8 to 10 minutes until the squash begins to soften.
4
Pour in the chicken broth, bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow it to simmer gently for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender and the liquid has reduced by half. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5
While the chicken and squash are simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, stirring occasionally. Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving a small cup of the pasta water.
6
Toss the drained pasta into the skillet with the chicken and squash mixture. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Mix well until the pasta is coated in the creamy sauce.
7
Transfer the pasta to a wide shallow bowl or serving dish, and serve warm, garnished with additional rosemary or Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Information
14g
Fat
44g
Carbs
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Butternut Chicken Pasta Delight?
It is a comforting dish that harmonizes the sweet, nutty flavors of butternut squash with tender chicken, enveloped in a silky homemade sauce.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields 6 servings.
What are the main ingredients for this pasta dish?
The main ingredients include extra virgin olive oil, a large onion, garlic, chicken breasts, butternut squash, fresh rosemary, chicken broth, and your choice of pasta.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are 367 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of this recipe?
Each serving contains 20g of protein.
How much fat is in this meal?
This dish contains 14g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving has 44g of carbohydrates.
What type of pasta should I use?
You can use 12 ounces of any pasta of your choice.
How should the butternut squash be prepared?
The squash should be peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
How much chicken is required?
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces.
How long should I cook the onion?
Sauté the chopped onion for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
When should I add the garlic?
Add the garlic after the onions have softened and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
How long does it take to cook the chicken?
Cook the chicken for approximately 7-10 minutes until no longer pink and lightly browned.
How much rosemary is needed?
Use 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh rosemary.
What is the purpose of the chicken broth?
The chicken broth is used to simmer the squash until tender and helps create the base of the sauce.
How long should the squash simmer in the broth?
Simmer gently for about 10 minutes until the squash is tender and the liquid has reduced by half.
How do I make the sauce creamy?
The butternut squash transforms into a rich, velvety sauce that luxuriously coats the pasta as it simmers and is mixed.
What if the sauce is too thick?
If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
How should I cook the pasta?
Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package directions until al dente.
Should I save any pasta water?
Yes, reserve a small cup of the pasta water before draining to help adjust the sauce consistency.
What can I use as a garnish?
You can garnish the dish with additional fresh rosemary or Parmesan cheese.
Is this dish suitable for family dinners?
Yes, it is a wholesome and hearty meal perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner.
What kind of oil is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil.
Does this recipe contain shrimp or eggplant?
No, this version focuses on chicken and butternut squash and specifically omits shrimp and eggplant.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe requires 3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped.
What is the flavor profile of this dish?
It features sweet, nutty squash flavors combined with aromatic rosemary and savory chicken in a creamy sauce.
What cooking equipment is recommended?
A heavy-duty nonstick frying pan and a large pot for boiling pasta are recommended.
How should the chicken and squash be combined with the pasta?
Toss the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the chicken and squash mixture and mix until well coated.
Is this recipe considered easy?
Yes, one of the tags for this recipe is 'easy recipe'.
What inspired the flavors of this recipe?
This dish is inspired by classic Italian flavors.