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Balsamic Chicken
with bruschetta and roasted butternut squash

Active: 35 min Total: 35 min
As we enter the heat of summer, we'll try to do less in the oven and always offer grill directions when appropriate. Enjoy roasted butternut squash fresh from the oven or on your grill. Paired with balsamic chicken (or portobellos) and classic bruschetta, you'll have a colorful meal.
Smarts: Rubbing bread with a garlic clove gives it just the hint of garlic. A little goes a long way!
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Proteins
Cuisines

Ingredients

Metric
Servings:
4
Balsamic Chicken:
  • Balsamic vinegar - 1 1/2 Tbsp
  • Dijon mustard - 2 tsp
  • Honey - 2 tsp
  • Cooking oil - 2 Tbsp
  • Chicken breasts - 1 lb
Parmesan Roasted Butternut Squash:
  • Butternut squash - 1 , chopped into 1/2" cubes ((Look for a ~3 lb. butternut squash))
  • Cooking oil - 1 1/2 Tbsp
  • Brown sugar - 1 tsp
  • Parmesan cheese - 2 Tbsp , grated
Bruschetta:
  • Cherry tomatoes - 1 pint , halved
  • Shallots - 1 bulb , diced
  • Balsamic vinegar - 1 Tbsp
  • Olive oil - 1 Tbsp
  • Baguette or ciabatta - 1/2 loaf
  • Garlic - 1 clove , peeled

Prep

  1. Butternut squash (This makes enough for tomorrow) - Preheat oven or grill to 425F (218C) degrees. Chop squash and toss with oil and brown sugar on a sheet pan (or grill pan like this for your outdoor grill). Spread out into one layer and roast for 20 to 30 minutes until squash is tender. Sprinkle on parmesan cheese for the last 5 minutes of cooking. Reserve half for tomorrow night’s dinner. (Can be done up to 3 days ahead)
  2. Make marinade - Mix together balsamic vinegar, Dijon, honey, and oil.
  3. Marinade chicken - Halve chicken and place into a container like this. Cover in marinade and tenderize with a fork, so that marinade gets deep into the meat. (Can be done up to 1 day ahead)
  4. Make bruschetta topping - Halve tomatoes and dice shallots. Toss with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt. (Can be done up to 1 day ahead)

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Make

  1. If making bread in oven: Preheat oven to 425F (218C) degrees. Slice baguette into 1/2" (1.25 cm) thick slices at a diagonal. Brush one side with olive oil and spread out onto a sheet pan. Toast for 5 to 7 minutes, until bread is golden. When baguette slices are toasted, slice your garlic clove in half. Rub the open side of the garlic clove against the oiled side of the bread. This will give your bread a lovely hint of garlic.
  2. If making chicken on stovetop: Heat a grill pan or a skillet over medium-high heat. Once pan is heated, add chicken breasts to pan and sear on each side for 3 to 4 minutes until golden or grill marks have formed. Turn heat down to low, cover with foil and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until chicken has reached 165 degrees and is firm to the touch.
  3. If making bread and chicken on outdoor grill: Preheat grill to 400F (204C) degrees, keeping one part on higher heat and another part on lower heat. Clean grates and add chicken pieces to higher heat part. Sear on both sides for 2 to 3 minutes and then move to lower heat. Add bread to the grill where chicken was. Close grill cover and cook until chicken has reached 165F (74C) degrees, about another 3 to 5 minutes. Since we halved the chicken, this should not take that long. When baguette slices are toasted, slice your garlic clove in half. Rub the open side of the garlic clove against the oiled side of the bread. This will give your bread a lovely hint of garlic.
  4. Spoon bruschetta topping over toasts and enjoy with chicken and butternut squash. (Remember to save half the squash for tomorrow night’s soup)

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