Crockpot Maple Dijon Chicken With Butternut Squash Recipe
This Crockpot Maple Dijon Chicken with Butternut Squash is a comforting and flavorful slow-cooked dish combining tender chicken breasts with sweet butternut squash, glazed in a rich maple and Dijon mustard sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this recipe offers a delicious balance of savory, sweet, and tangy notes with minimal prep and hands-off cooking time.
- 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: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups butternut squash, cubed
Sauce
- 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
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot to create a base layer for even cooking.
- Add Butternut Squash: Spread the cubed butternut squash evenly on top of the chicken to let the flavors mingle while cooking.
- Mix Sauce Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and chicken broth until well combined.
- Pour Sauce Over: Drizzle the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken and squash, ensuring full coverage for flavor infusion.
- Add Olive Oil: Drizzle olive oil on top to enhance moisture and add richness to the dish.
- Cook on Low: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours, or alternatively on high heat for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Check Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
- Shred or Serve Whole: Decide to shred the chicken directly in the crockpot for a pulled texture or serve the chicken breasts whole along with the squash and sauce.
- Garnish: Optionally, sprinkle fresh parsley over the top before serving to add color and a fresh herb aroma.
Notes
- Frozen butternut squash can be used; adjust cooking time as it is already precut.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) for food safety.
- The recipe can be doubled if you have a large enough crockpot.
- Try whole grain mustard or honey mustard as an alternative for different flavor profiles.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to three days or frozen for up to three months.
- For extra nutrition, serve over brown rice, quinoa, or whole-grain couscous.
- Optional add-ins include carrots, sweet potatoes, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.
Keywords: crockpot chicken, maple Dijon chicken, slow cooker chicken, butternut squash recipe, easy crockpot meals, healthy chicken dinner
