Description
Homemade Spaghetti Squash Chicken Delight combines roasted squash strands with tender chicken in a Mediterranean-inspired sauce. Mediterranean herbs and fresh ingredients create a nutritious, flavorful meal perfect for healthy dinner seekers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) skinless boneless chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 medium spaghetti squash
- 10 oz (283 g) fresh spinach
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 oz (170 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 6 oz (170 g) crumbled feta cheese
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Fresh thyme
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Squash Preparation: Halve spaghetti squash lengthwise, meticulously scooping out seeds and fibrous strands with a spoon, then drizzle with olive oil and season with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Roasting Process: Place squash halves face-down on prepared baking sheet, roasting for 35-40 minutes until flesh becomes fork-tender.
- Chicken Cooking: Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, season chicken with paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper, cooking thoroughly until no pink remains, then slice into thin strips.
- Vegetable Medley: In the same skillet, sauté spinach, tomatoes, and garlic until spinach wilts, then incorporate crumbled feta cheese.
- Squash Transformation: Using a fork, gently separate roasted squash into spaghetti-like strands.
- Final Assembly: Fill squash halves with vegetable mixture, top with sliced chicken, and garnish with fresh thyme leaves before serving immediately.
Notes
- Squash Selection: Choose a ripe, firm spaghetti squash with a deep yellow color and no soft spots or blemishes for best texture and flavor.
- Knife Safety: Use a sharp, sturdy knife and cut squash carefully on a stable surface to prevent slipping and potential injuries.
- Roasting Technique: Placing squash face-down helps achieve even cooking and prevents drying out, creating tender, stringy flesh.
- Seasoning Tip: Allow chicken to rest briefly after cooking to lock in juices, ensuring a more flavorful and moist protein.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg