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5.0 from 276 votes

Roasted Butternut Squash Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Couscous

Cozy and delicious broccoli cheddar chicken couscous with sweet and spicy roasted butternut squash. You'll love this easy, comforting dinner recipe for any night of the week! Kid-friendly and easily vegetarian, too.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 543 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • For the butternut squash:
  • 4 cups cubed butternut squash (from about 2 pounds butternut squash)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Freshly ground salt and pepper
  • FOR THE CHICKEN:
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite sized chunks (can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Freshly ground salt and pepper
  • For the broccoli cheddar couscous:
  • 1 ¾ cup water or low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup pearl couscous
  • 1 medium head broccoli, cut into small florets (about 3 ½ cups broccoli florets)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place butternut squash cubes on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and maple syrup. Sprinkle on chili powder, garlic powder and cayenne pepper. Generously season with freshly ground salt and pepper. Use your hands to toss together so that the squash is well coated. 
  2. Bake for 20-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the squash is tender. Once done, allow to rest on baking sheet until you are ready to add to the rest of the dish.
  3. While the squash is cooking, cook your chicken breast. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large skillet and place over medium-high heat. Add in chicken. Immediately sprinkle with garlic powder, paprika and cayenne pepper and generously season with salt and pepper. Cook chicken for 5-8 minutes until no longer pink. Remove from heat and set skillet aside or transfer to a bowl.
  4. To make the couscous: In this order add the following to a large pot or dutch oven: water, couscous and broccoli florets. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low and cook for 8-10 minutes total; check after 5 minutes and give everything a stir. 
  5. Replace the lid and allow to cook for 3-5 more minutes to absorb the water. Stir again, and then add in cooked chicken and shredded cheddar. Stir to melt the cheddar.
  6. Finally fold in the roasted butternut squash. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Enjoy! Serves 4.

Notes

  • To make vegetarian: Instead of chicken, feel free to use 1 can of drained and rinsed chickpeas or white beans. Add directly to couscous once it is done cooking.
  • To make gluten free: You can try using white basmati rice in place of the couscous, but please know that liquids and cooking times will differ.
  • To make vegan: Instead of using cheese, try using a homemade cashew cheese sauce and mix it in.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 543cal (27%) Carbohydrates 26.4g (9%) Protein 42.4g (85%) Fat 18.9g (29%) Saturated Fat 6.8g (34%) Fiber 6.3g (25%) Sugar 8g (16%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 543

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 543cal 27%
Carbohydrates 26.4g 9%
Protein 42.4g 85%
Fat 18.9g 29%
Saturated Fat 6.8g 34%
Fiber 6.3g 25%
Sugar 8g 16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.