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chicken leek and butternut squash bake

Home Cook, taken with iPhone 14 Pro. Close-up slight angle of comforting chicken leek and butternut squash bake on white plate. Warm appetizing --ar 4:3 --style raw --s 245

A hearty and wholesome bake combining tender chicken, sweet butternut squash, and mild leeks, perfect for an effortless weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 chicken breasts, diced
  • 1 medium leek, cleaned and sliced
  • 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup cream or crème fraîche
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F).
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sliced leek, cooking until softened.
  3. Add diced chicken to the skillet, seasoning with salt, pepper, and thyme. Cook until chicken is lightly browned but not fully cooked through.
  4. In a baking dish, combine cooked chicken and leeks with cubed butternut squash.
  5. Pour over the cream and mix gently to combine all ingredients.
  6. Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese evenly on top.
  7. Bake in the oven for 25–30 minutes, until the squash is tender and cheese is golden and bubbling.
  8. Remove from oven and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or substitute cheddar with Gruyère cheese for a nuttier taste.