Southwestern Roasted Chicken and Butternut Squash
I wanted to post this recipe that my mom made yesterday when I was up at her house. I don't have any pics, but it was sooooo good!!! It's basically all made in a roasting pan in the oven. If you love chicken and love butternut squash, it's just amazingly good! It was from her monthly health newsletter.
Southwestern Roasted Chicken & Butternut Squash
In this recipe, the fatty skin is removed from the chicken and replaced with a spice crust, which keeps the meat moist and succulent. And roasting is an excellent technique for cooking the vegetables because it enhanced their natural sweetness and retains nutrients as well.
4 tsp. olive oil, divided
2 tsp. lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
1 tsp. honey
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. paprika
? tsp. chili powder
? tsp. salt, or to taste, divided
freshly ground pepper to taste
21/2-3 ? lbs. bone-in chicken pieces
3 cups cubed (3/4 “ pieces)butternut squash
2 medium onions, peeled and cut into ? “ wedges(2 cups)
1 Tbsp. coarsely chopped fresh cilantro or parsley(optional)
Preheat oven to 425. Coat a large roasting pan(or large baking sheet with sides) with cooking spray. Mix 2 tsp. oil, lime juice, honey, cumin, paprika ,chili powder, 1/8 tsp. salt and pepper in a small bowl. Remove skin from chicken; trim fat. Rub chicken pieces with the spice mixture and place in the center of the roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine squash, onions, remaining 2 tsp. oil, 1/8 tsp. salt, and pepper in a large bowl; toss to coat. When chicken has roasted for 20 minutes, place the squash mixture in the roasting pan around the chicken pieces. Bake, uncovered, until the chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender, turning vegetables twice, 40 or more minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro or parsley, and serve with lime wedges.
My mom followed the recipe pretty closely the first time she made it, but found it took longer for the squash. She didn’t use lime wedges, and put the parsley on it when she added the squash to the chicken. She also used more squash and onions than suggested, and actually covered the chicken with it. Also, when she cuts up the cilantro and parsley (fresh) she freezes them first and then they chop up really easily!!
