🍗🥬 Chicken, Leek & Butternut Squash Bake 🍂🧀 – Cozy, Creamy & Oven-Baked Comfort!
Tender chicken baked with sweet butternut squash, mellow leeks, and a cheesy cream sauce – fall flavors in every bite!
🛒 Ingredients:
1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into chunks
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups butternut squash, peeled and diced
2 large leeks, trimmed and sliced (white and light green parts only)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken broth (low sodium)
¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray or butter for greasing
Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
👨🍳 Directions:
Step 1: Prep the Oven & Pan
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
Step 2: Sauté the Veggies
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Add sliced leeks and garlic, sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
Add diced butternut squash and cook another 5–6 minutes, just until starting to soften.
Step 3: Combine Chicken & Seasonings
In a bowl, mix chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and dried thyme.
Add chicken to the skillet and cook just until lightly seared (not fully cooked).
Step 4: Make it Creamy
Stir in heavy cream and chicken broth.
Bring mixture to a gentle simmer for 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly.
Mix in half the mozzarella and all of the Parmesan.
Step 5: Bake the Goodness
Transfer everything into the prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until top is golden and bubbly.
Step 6: Garnish & Serve
Let it rest for 5 minutes.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm – pairs beautifully with crusty bread or rice!
⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
⏱️ Cook Time: 35 minutes
🔥 Kcal: ~420 kcal per serving (based on 6 servings)
💡 Tips:
Use pre-cut squash to save time.
Swap cream for a light half-and-half if preferred.
Add spinach or kale for extra greens.
📱 Hashtags:
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