Description
This Chicken Leek and Butternut Squash Bake is the ultimate one-pan dinner combining tender chicken breast, sweet butternut squash, and fragrant leeks in a creamy Parmesan sauce. Baked to golden perfection with a crunchy topping, this comforting dish is both hearty and easy to prepare, perfect for a wholesome family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 2 large leeks, cleaned and sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp thyme (fresh or dried)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or crème fraîche
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Topping
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the dish evenly.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Sauté Leeks: In the same skillet, add sliced leeks and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and thyme, cooking for an additional minute to develop flavors.
- Add Butternut Squash: Stir in the cubed butternut squash and continue cooking for another 5 minutes, allowing the squash to slightly soften.
- Combine Ingredients: Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir in chicken broth, heavy cream or crème fraîche, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Season with nutmeg if desired. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese over the top, and optionally add breadcrumbs for a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the bake rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, then serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with crème fraîche for a slightly tangier flavor.
- Fresh thyme is preferred but dried thyme works well if fresh is unavailable.
- Breadcrumb topping is optional but adds a nice crunch to the bake.
- To make the dish dairy-free, substitute heavy cream and Parmesan with plant-based alternatives.
- Ensure the butternut squash is peeled well to avoid tough skin in the final dish.
