Chicken, Leek, and Butternut Squash Bake Recipe
This comforting Chicken Leek and Butternut Squash Bake combines tender diced chicken with sweet butternut squash and flavorful leeks in a creamy, cheesy sauce. Baked to perfection with a golden breadcrumb topping, this dish is perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner or cozy family meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 2 large leeks, cleaned and sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp thyme (fresh or dried)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or crème fraîche
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Cheese and Topping
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional)
- Cooking spray or butter for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken seasoned with salt and pepper, and cook until no longer pink in the center. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Leeks and Garlic: In the same skillet, add the sliced leeks and sauté for about 5 minutes until they are softened. Add the minced garlic and thyme, cooking for an additional minute to release their aromas.
- Cook Butternut Squash: Add the cubed butternut squash to the skillet and cook for around 5 minutes until it starts to turn slightly golden.
- Combine Ingredients and Simmer: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir in the chicken broth, heavy cream or crème fraîche, ground nutmeg, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Simmer the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened and well combined.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the entire skillet mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese evenly on top, followed by the breadcrumbs if using, to create a golden crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
- Rest and Serve: Once baked, let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and make it easier to portion.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breast if you prefer darker meat, which will add more moisture.
- For a lower calorie version, use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Breadcrumb topping is optional but adds a nice crunchy texture contrast.
- Make sure to clean leeks thoroughly as they can hold dirt between layers.
- This dish reheats well and is even better the next day as flavors deepen.
Keywords: chicken bake, butternut squash recipe, leek chicken casserole, creamy chicken bake, easy dinner, baked chicken and vegetables
