Butternut Squash Chicken Rice Bake Recipes

BUTTERNUT SQUASH, CHICKEN & WILD RICE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat oven to 425°F.
• Cook the rice according to the package instructions. Drain off any excess cooking liquid and set aside (you should have about 3 cooked cups).
• Lay a large piece of aluminum foil or parchment paper in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Arrange chicken thighs in a single layer on top, tucking the loose side portion of each thigh underneath. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the oil. Sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
• Bake until the chicken thighs reach 165°F, about 20 minutes. Immediately transfer from the dish to a plate and cover. Let rest 10 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F. Discard the foil or parchment and keep the pan handy.
• While the chicken cooks, peel the butternut squash and trim off the top and bottom ends. Cut the neck away from the round base, then stand the base up on its flat end and cut it in half from top to bottom. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Cut the squash (both base and neck) into ½" cubes (you should have about 4 cups cubes).
• In a large, deep skillet with a tight-fitting lid, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Add squash, onion, and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Sauté until the onion begins to soften, about 2 minutes. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender but still retains some chew, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Once the chicken has rested, cut it into bite-sized pieces. Add it to the pan with the squash, then add thyme, cranberries, ¼ cup of the Parmesan, and rice. Stir to combine.
• Lightly coat with nonstick spray the same 9×13 dish you used to bake the chicken (no need to wash it in between). With a large spoon, scoop the squash and rice mixture into the dish, spreading it into an even layer.
• Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle nuts and remaining ¼ cup Parmesan on top. Bake 8 to 10 additional minutes, until cheese is melted and nuts are toasted and crisp. Sprinkle with additional chopped fresh thyme and serve warm.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH CHICKEN RICE BAKE

Steps:

• Cook the rice according to package directions.
• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil and set aside.
• In a deep Dutch oven or pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat.
• Sauté the onions for 3-5 minutes until they are just tender. Add the garlic and the cubes of squash and sweet potatoes. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash and sweet potatoes are just tender when poked with a fork, about 5-6 minutes (may take a couple more minutes at high altitude).
• Stir in the chopped thyme, currants, chicken, cooked rice, coconut milk and nutritional yeast.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes (the higher time at high altitude).
• Garnish with sprigs of fresh thyme and serve warm with a green or vegetable salad.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH, RICE AND SAUSAGE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Place squash on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes or until tender. After allowing squash to cool, cut it in half lengthwise, seed, quarter and peel it. Then cut it into 1/2-inch cubes and set aside.
• Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees.
• In a medium saucepan over low heat, bring broth, water, and sage to a simmer without allowing it to come to a boil.
• In a large nonstick skillet or wok, heat 1 teaspoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat and brown the sausage; set aside.
• In the same skillet, saute onion in remaining olive oil over medium-high heat until tender.
• Add the apple and garlic, and saute for two minutes.
• Add the rice, and saute for an additional minute.
• Stir in the sausage, squash, broth mixture, wine, chopped thyme, salt, and pepper, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Place the casserole mixture in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.
• Remove casserole from oven, stir mixture gently, and sprinkle with cheese.
• Return to oven and bake for an additional five minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Allow to cool for ten minutes before serving.