Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash & Quinoa is packed with protein and healthy vegetables. The mouthwatering flavors will bring you back for more.
Quinoa is as filling as it is versatile, and lately I’ve been having fun putting it in everything from salads, to mini breakfast bites, to mac & cheese – and now soup. Er, rather – stew.
Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash & Quinoa, to be exact!
Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash & Quinoa is one of the most unique dishes to ever come out of my kitchen. Sweet butternut squash is paired with salty kalamata olives, shredded chicken, and fluffy quinoa, all swirled in a savory chicken broth. It is hearty, full-flavored and so satisfying.
It is a perfect cold-weather dish too, and makes plenty for leftovers.
Start the stew by peeling, seeding and chopping a butternut squash.
I use a vegetable peeler to get the outer peel off, then a big, sharp knife to cut the top, straight half off the bottom half.
Chop the squash into 1/2″ pieces then place it in a microwave safe bowl with a splash of water. Put a lid on top then microwave for 5-6 minutes or until the squash is just barely tender. Remove half, set it aside, and continue microwaving the other half until it’s very soft, about 3-4 additional minutes.
Drain, then mash the squash that was microwaved the longest with a fork or potato masher.
Squash = done! Set aside for the moment.
Next, place two frozen or thawed chicken breasts in a large soup pot or Dutch oven on the stove over high heat.
Add in rich chicken broth to cover, then bring it to a boil and place a lid on top.
Let the chicken breasts poach in the broth for 10-15 minutes, or until cooked all the way through. Remove the chicken to a plate and shred when it’s cool. Pour the broth into a separate bowl and set aside.
Return the pot to the stove and add in olive oil and minced onion. Saute the onion until it’s soft, then add in fragrant garlic and earthy dried oregano, and cook for another minute.
Next add in a can of petite diced tomatoes (I’m a freak about chunks, so I zipped mine through my mini food processor first) as well as the cubed and mashed butternut squash.
Pour the reserved chicken broth back in, plus rinsed uncooked quinoa, and let the whole thing simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is cooked and puffed.
Finally, add the shredded chicken, pitted & quartered kalamata olives,
and fresh parsley into the mix, then stir to combine.
Season with additional salt & pepper, if necessary, and off you go!
Like I said – this stew is so incredibly unique. I love how the cubed butternut squash is creamy, the mashed squash is silky, and that the quinoa lends a little poppy bite to each spoonful.
Don’t even get me started on the flavor contrast between the salty olives and sweet squash. It is sooo good!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 lbs butternut squash, peeled, seeded & chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
- 3-1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 chicken breasts, ~1lb
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 14 oz can petite diced tomatoes
- 2/3 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
- 3/4 cup pitted & quartered kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
Directions
- Place the butternut squash and a splash of water in a large bowl with a lid in the microwave, and cook until barely tender, about 6-7 minutes. Remove half of the squash and set it aside. Cook the remaining squash an additional 3-4 minutes or until it is very tender. Drain, then mash this squash with the back of a fork and also set aside.
- Add the chicken broth and chicken breasts to a large soup pot on the stove, and bring to a boil. Place a lid on top, lower the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked all the way through. Remove chicken to a plate to cool, and pour chicken broth into a separate bowl.
- Return the pot to the stove over medium-low heat, and add in the olive oil. Add onion, salt, and pepper and saute until the onion is soft and brown, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and oregano. Cook, stirring constantly, for another minute.
- Add tomatoes and all the butternut squash to the pot. Stir to combine. Pour in reserved chicken broth and quinoa, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil then place a lid on top, lower the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 15 minutes or until quinoa is tender and cooked.
- Meanwhile, shred the chicken. When quinoa is cooked, stir in chicken, olives and parsley. Cook until chicken is hot, season with additional salt & pepper if necessary, then ladle into bowls.
Notes
- Keep extra chicken broth on hand for reheating as the quinoa will soak up some of the broth.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Thanks for another easily GF recipe! I am just about finished with my 78lb bag of quinoa from costco and am looking for some new ideas :)
Yum that looks delicious! Question though–whenever I make quinoa, no matter how much I rinse/soak it, it doesn’t seem to lose the bitter flavor. Any tips? :)
I always cook quinoa in almond milk or apple sauce to lose the bitter taste (depending on the recipe) :)
Hmm, I’m not sure! Do you remember which brand you used?
Thanks for the idea! I just use a generic brand that I get in bulk at a health store. I’ll have to try a different brand! Or the almond milk idea! :)
I put the quinoa in a colendar, and as I run water over it I rub the quinoa with my fingers until the water runs clear. The quinoa has a bitter coating (a plant has to have something to protect it!) that needs to be removed before eating.
I am currently in love with a cold quinoa salad with a mix of veggies, chicken, feta and a sesame asian style vinaigrette.
Yummmm, that sounds tasty! I need to whip up something like this for lunches.
I’m obsessively stuck on eggs, asparagus and tempeh bacon right now. All three in the same dish = heaven…but I’ll take any combination of them. Just can’t get enough!
I’m tellin’ ya, quinoa burgers (with hummus as a binder) are the best!
Oh man, that sounds amazing! Especially with some chopped up kalamata olives (Thanks for getting the olive craving going with your original post, Kristen!)
mmmm this looks delicious. i am loving quinoa these days as well, and anything with butternut squash is high on my priority list :)
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Since developing this recipe, I’ve made it at least once every 2 weeks. My husband adores it and would eat it every day for lunch if he could. We are smitten by quinoa too!
It is seriously so genius – I would have never in a million years thought to put kalamata olives in a stew, but it works so well!
i just love that you said, “goll”. i was born in iowa and have family there still. such an iowan statement! haha
I’m obsessed with quinoa too and use it in everything! What kind of vegetable peeler is that? I definitely need a sturdier one to tackle things like butternut squash skin!
I actually got it from Wishbone in a salad pack giveaway. They have some pretty great ones at Williams & Sonoma though!
I love quinoa too! I think I made this same dish a couple weeks ago minus the olives since I am not a fan of them. I usually cook a batch of quinoa on the weekend to use as a side or in soups/salads, o for breakfast with Greek yogurt during the week.
From a Wisconsin girl who also loves quinoa — you must check out this one-pot kale and quinoa pilaf. Really satisfying and easy! http://food52.com/recipes/2434_one_pot_kale_and_quinoa_pilaf. (I’ve made it with olive oil and regular lemons, too, and it turns out well.)
The One Pot Kale and Quinoa Pilaf that Lissa posted is one of our family’s favorites. Lots of bright flavor. I too am looking for more Quinoa recipes and can’t wait to try this one (I’ll try your suggestion of ham instead of olives).
Nebraska girl here .. this looks WONDERFUL! I’m going to make it sometime this week. Love Quinoa! I “pop” it and add it to the top of my homemade dark chocolate cranberry bark. How good is THAT for you :-)
Love that idea – full of super foods! :)
I’m on a quinoa kick lately, too!!