Crockpot Maple Dijon Chicken With Butternut Squash Recipe
This Crockpot Maple Dijon Chicken with Butternut Squash is a comforting and flavorful slow-cooker recipe that combines tender chicken breasts with sweet maple syrup, tangy Dijon mustard, and hearty butternut squash. It’s an easy, hands-off meal perfect for busy days and delivers a deliciously rich sauce that complements the natural sweetness of the squash. Ideal for cozy family dinners or weeknight meals, this dish fills your home with an irresistible aroma and offers a satisfying blend of savory and sweet flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups butternut squash, cubed
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Additional Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot, creating a solid base for the dish.
- Add Butternut Squash: Layer the cubed butternut squash evenly over the chicken breasts to provide natural sweetness and texture.
- Mix Sauce Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and chicken broth until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Pour Sauce Over: Drizzle the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken and butternut squash layers in the crockpot to ensure all pieces are coated with flavor.
- Add Olive Oil: Drizzle the olive oil over the top layer to add moisture and enhance the richness of the dish during slow cooking.
- Cook on Low: Cover the crockpot and cook on the low setting for 4 to 6 hours, or alternatively, cook on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender.
- Check Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken; it should reach 165°F (75°C) to be safe to eat.
- Shred or Serve Whole: Once cooked, you may shred the chicken directly in the crockpot to mix with the sauce and squash, or serve the chicken breasts whole alongside the butternut squash and sauce.
- Garnish: Optionally, sprinkle fresh parsley over the top before serving to add a pop of color and fresh aroma.
Notes
- Frozen butternut squash can be used but may require slight adjustments in cooking time.
- To ensure chicken is safely cooked, always verify it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) using a meat thermometer.
- You can double the recipe if your crockpot has enough capacity.
- Experiment with different types of mustard such as whole grain or honey mustard for variations in flavor.
- Leftovers are great for wraps, salads, or served over grains for quick meals later.
Keywords: Crockpot chicken, maple Dijon chicken, slow cooker recipes, butternut squash recipes, easy chicken dinner, healthy crockpot meals
