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Why You'll Love This budgetfriendly slow cooker chicken and winter squash stew
- Easy to Make: This recipe requires just a few minutes of prep time and then simmers away all day in the slow cooker, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
- Customizable: You can customize the spice blend and add in your favorite vegetables to make this recipe your own.
- Budget-Friendly: This recipe uses affordable ingredients and makes a large batch of stew, making it a great option for families or for meal prep.
- Comforting and Delicious: The combination of chicken, winter squash, and spices in this recipe creates a comforting and delicious meal that's perfect for chilly days.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare this recipe up to 2 days in advance, making it a great option for meal prep or for busy weeknights.
- Slow Cooker Friendly: This recipe is perfect for slow cookers, as it simmers away all day and creates a tender and flavorful stew.
- Versatile: You can serve this stew with a variety of sides, such as crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables, making it a great option for different meals and occasions.
- Healthy: This recipe is a healthy and nutritious option, as it's made with lean protein, vegetables, and whole grains.
Ingredient Breakdown
The key ingredients in this recipe are chicken breasts, winter squash, onions, garlic, chicken broth, and spices. The chicken breasts provide lean protein, while the winter squash adds natural sweetness and creamy texture. The onions and garlic add depth of flavor, while the chicken broth and spices bring everything together. You can customize the spice blend to suit your taste, adding in more or less of any particular spice. Some other ingredients you can add to this recipe include carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, and other vegetables, as well as different types of protein like sausage or bacon.
How to Make budgetfriendly slow cooker chicken and winter squash stew
Chop the onions and garlic, and peel and chop the winter squash. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of oil. Sear the chicken breasts until browned on both sides, about 5-7 minutes per side.
Add the chopped onions and garlic to the skillet and cook until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the chopped winter squash and chicken broth to the skillet, and stir to combine.
Add the seared chicken, squash mixture, and spices to the slow cooker, and stir to combine.
Cook the stew on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the squash is tender.
Tips for Perfect Results
Choose a winter squash that's sweet and flavorful, such as butternut or acorn squash. Avoid using summer squash, as it will become too soft and mushy during cooking.
Cook the chicken until it's just cooked through, about 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. Overcooking the chicken will make it dry and tough.
Add aromatics like onions and garlic to the skillet before adding the squash and broth. This will add depth and complexity to the stew.
Use a high-quality chicken broth that's low in sodium and rich in flavor. You can also use homemade broth or stock for added depth and complexity.
Experiment with different spices and seasonings to find the combination that works best for you. Some options include cumin, paprika, and chili powder.
Serve the stew with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Make a large batch of the stew and portion it out into individual containers for a quick and easy meal prep option.
Freeze the stew for up to 3 months and thaw as needed. This is a great option for busy weeks or for meal prep.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Overcooking the Chicken: Overcooking the chicken will make it dry and tough. Cook the chicken until it's just cooked through, about 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.
Fix: Check the chicken periodically during cooking and remove it from the slow cooker when it's cooked through.
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Not Using the Right Squash: Using the wrong type of squash can result in a stew that's too soft or too hard. Choose a winter squash that's sweet and flavorful, such as butternut or acorn squash.
Fix: Experiment with different types of squash to find the one that works best for you.
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Not Adding Aromatics: Not adding aromatics like onions and garlic can result in a stew that's lacking in depth and complexity. Add aromatics to the skillet before adding the squash and broth.
Fix: Add aromatics to the skillet before adding the squash and broth, and cook until the onions are translucent.
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Not Using the Right Broth: Using a low-quality broth can result in a stew that's lacking in flavor. Use a high-quality chicken broth that's low in sodium and rich in flavor.
Fix: Use a high-quality chicken broth or make your own broth from scratch.
Variations & Substitutions
Add some diced jalapenos or red pepper flakes to the stew for an extra kick of heat.
Use different types of protein like sausage or bacon to add more flavor to the stew.
Add some chopped kale or spinach to the stew for an extra boost of nutrients.
Experiment with different types of winter squash, such as acorn or delicata squash, to find the one that works best for you.
Add some heavy cream or coconut cream to the stew for a creamy and rich texture.
Experiment with different spices, such as cumin or paprika, to add more flavor to the stew.
Storage & Make-Ahead
Store the stew at room temperature for up to 2 hours. After 2 hours, refrigerate or freeze the stew to prevent bacterial growth.
Store the stew in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat the stew to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Store the stew in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the stew overnight in the refrigerator and reheat to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare this recipe up to 2 days in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving. The flavors actually improve as they meld together overnight.
Can I freeze this recipe?
Yes! You can freeze this recipe for up to 3 months. Thaw the stew overnight in the refrigerator and reheat to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
What type of squash should I use?
You can use any type of winter squash for this recipe, such as butternut or acorn squash. Choose a squash that's sweet and flavorful, and avoid using summer squash as it will become too soft and mushy during cooking.
Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
Yes! You can add other vegetables to this recipe, such as carrots, potatoes, or bell peppers. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as some vegetables may take longer to cook than others.
Can I use different types of protein?
Yes! You can use different types of protein, such as sausage or bacon, to add more flavor to the stew. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as some proteins may take longer to cook than others.
Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?
Yes! This recipe is perfect for slow cookers, as it simmers away all day and creates a tender and flavorful stew. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as slow cookers can cook at a lower temperature than stovetops or ovens.
budgetfriendly slow cooker chicken and winter squash stew
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 1 medium acorn squash, peeled and cubed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the ingredients. Chop the onion and mince the garlic. Peel and cube the butternut and acorn squash.
- Step 2: Cook the chicken. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary. Cook the chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Step 3: Cook the onion and garlic. In the same skillet, cook the chopped onion and minced garlic until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 4: Add the squash and cook until tender. Add the cubed squash to the skillet and cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Step 5: Add the diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Add the diced tomatoes and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Step 6: Add the cooked chicken and simmer. Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and simmer the stew for 10-15 minutes or until the flavors have melded together.
- Step 7: Season and serve. Season the stew with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Recipe Notes
- Storage tip: Let the stew cool completely, then refrigerate or freeze for later use.
- Make ahead: Prepare the stew up to a day in advance, then refrigerate or freeze until ready to cook.
- Substitution: Swap the butternut and acorn squash for other winter squash varieties, such as delicata or hubbard.
- Pro tip: Use low-sodium chicken broth to reduce the sodium content of the stew.
