Although California doesn’t offer your typical fall weather, I’ve found other ways to set the tone for the season. My favorite way? Through my personal love language: food!
I rounded up a few of my favorite fall flavors and crafted a recipe to feed my family who is in town this week. They’re both incredible cooks, so I had some big shoes to fill.
Cinnamon Apple & Chicken Stuffed Acorn Squash is such an easy dish to make because the items that need to be cooked can all be done at once (one on stovetop, one in oven, and the last in the microwave) which saves a lot of prep time/waiting around.
Cinnamon Apple + Chicken Stuffed Acorn Squash
Yields: 6 servings
- 2 packages Foster Farms Simply Raised Chicken Breast Tenders (8 oz. total)
- 4 Gala apples
- 3 acorn squash (I used golden acorn squash but any variety will do)
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. butter, melted
- 4 Tbsp. maple syrup
- Smoked Gouda
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Poke apples with fork 3-4 times and add them to small, greased metal pan. Cook apples for 20 minutes at 375 degrees.
- While apples are cooking, halve squash, scooping out the seeds. Use fork to poke squash interior 3-4 times.
- Fill microwavable dish with 1 1/2 inches of water and place halved squash flat side down inside. Microwave squash for 20 minutes.
- In the meantime, boil chicken in pot of water until fully cooked. Drain, rinse in cold water and shred.
- Remove skin from apples once cooked (it should peel off effortlessly) and dice into small pieces.
- Mix chicken, apples, butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt and pepper to taste. Scoop chicken mixture into cooked squash and topped with smoked Gouda.
- Cook squash in broiler (set on high) on baking sheet for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
I picked up the majority of these items over the weekend at the farmer’s market up the street, but I found the Foster Farms Simply Raised Breast Tenders at Target. This chicken is local to California and is free of antibiotics. As for the squash, I used golden acorn but regular acorn squash would be just as yummy. On the plate I added another small sprinkle of cinnamon with a sprig of rosemary.
This kind of meal is my ultimate new comfort food and was a huge crowd pleaser! To me, the new comfort food is using mostly local and seasonal ingredients, a good helping of natural ingredients, minimal items, and fast prep time.
For more incredible chicken recipes that fit the “new comfort food” criteria, click here.
What’s your favorite recipe to make using chicken?
No Comments