🎃🌱 This Greek Chicken & Roasted Acorn Squash Pasta Salad is a delightful combination of autumn-ins...

🎃🌱 This Greek Chicken & Roasted Acorn Squash Pasta Salad is a delightful combination of autumn-inspired ingredients and Mediterranean flavors. Tender Greek-spiced chicken, roasted acorn squash, and hearty whole grain pasta are balanced by fresh kale, sweet cranberries, and crunchy pumpkin seeds. A creamy pumpkin-spiced yogurt sauce ties it all together for a satisfying, wholesome dish. 🌿✨

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🧾 Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

🍗 Greek-Spiced Chicken
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 clove garlic, minced 🧄
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Juice of ½ lemon 🍋

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🎃 Pasta Salad Base
• 2 cups cooked whole grain pasta (such as rotini or penne)
• 1 small acorn squash, seeds removed and cut into wedges
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup kale, chopped
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• 2 tbsp toasted pumpkin seeds
• Salt & pepper to taste

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🥣 Pumpkin-Spiced Yogurt Sauce
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp canned pumpkin purée
• 1 tbsp lemon juice 🍋
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Water (to thin, if needed)

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🔥 Instructions

1. Marinate & Cook the Chicken
• Combine olive oil, oregano, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Coat chicken and let marinate for at least 15 minutes.
• Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high and cook chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until cooked through.
• Let rest before slicing into strips.

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2. Roast the Acorn Squash
• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Toss acorn squash wedges with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Arrange on a baking sheet and roast for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and caramelized.

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3. Cook the Pasta & Prep the Salad
• Cook pasta according to package instructions.
• Drain and let cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, toss cooked pasta with roasted acorn squash, chopped kale, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

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4. Make the Pumpkin-Spiced Yogurt Sauce
• In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, pumpkin purée, lemon juice, cinnamon, honey (if using), salt, and pepper.
• Add water a teaspoon at a time until the sauce reaches a smooth, drizzleable consistency.

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5. Assemble the Salad
• Add sliced chicken to the pasta mixture.
• Drizzle generously with pumpkin-spiced yogurt sauce.
• Garnish with additional pumpkin seeds or a sprinkle of cinnamon for a festive touch.

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✨ A beautiful mix of textures and flavors, this pasta salad is perfect for fall and beyond.