Low Carb Butternut Squash and Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast w Scalloped Zucchini Recipe

Gluten Free
Lunch
Main Dishes
4.6/5
(1886 reviews)
Low Carb Butternut Squash and Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast w Scalloped Zucchini
Zylo Recipes

Description

Imagine tender chicken breasts, generously filled with a warm, comforting mixture of sweet butternut squash and creamy cheese. This stuffed chicken breast recipe is a celebration of autumnal flavors, perfect for a cozy family dinner or a satisfying meal any time of year. The filling is a delightful combination of subtly sweet butternut squash, vibrant spinach, and a smooth, rich cream cheese that binds it all together.

The chicken breasts are carefully stuffed to the brim with this mixture, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor and pleasing textures. Seasoned with savory herbs and spices, the chicken is then baked to a golden-brown perfection, creating a delicious crust that seals in the moistness and aroma. A final flourish of parmesan cheese adds a nutty, savory note that complements the sweetness of the squash and the richness of the filling.

Accompanying the chicken is a delightful scalloped squash casserole. Tender slices of seasonal squash are layered in a creamy, cheddar cheese sauce, creating a dish that is both comforting and visually appealing. As it bakes, the cheese sauce bubbles and browns, creating a golden crust that adds a delightful textural contrast to the tender squash.

The combination of the mild squash and the sharp cheddar cheese is a classic pairing that is sure to please. To prepare the butternut squash, you can use frozen cubes for convenience, or roast a fresh squash for an even deeper flavor. If using a fresh squash, simply preheat your oven, deseed and cut the squash into evenly sized pieces, toss with olive oil, and roast until tender.

Roasting the squash brings out its natural sweetness and creates a caramelized exterior that adds depth to the filling. This recipe is a wonderful way to enjoy seasonal produce and create a memorable meal. The combination of the savory chicken, the sweet and creamy butternut squash filling, and the cheesy squash casserole is a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you feeling satisfied and nourished.

It's a dish that is both elegant enough for a special occasion and comforting enough for a weeknight dinner. Enjoy the warmth and richness of this seasonal feast!

Preparation Time

Prep Time
50 min
Cook Time
1 h 25 min
Total Time
2 h 15 min

Nutrition Information

Per 1 1 pc chicken + 1 slice side serving
C
Calories
400 Kcal

C
Carbs
15 g
Fi
Fiber
5 g
Sugar
5 g

P
Protein
55 g

C
Fats
25 g
Saturated Fats 8 g
Unsaturated Fats 12 g

Cholestrol 150 mg
Sodium 300 mg
Potassium 600 mg
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Ingredients

    1.
    Zucchini, raw
    Zucchini, raw
    1 lb
    2.
    Salt
    Salt
    ¼ teaspoon
    3.
    Black Pepper
    Black Pepper
    ¼ teaspoon
    4.
    Unsalted Butter
    Unsalted Butter
    1-½ tablespoon
    5.
    Garlic
    Garlic
    1 teaspoon
    6.
    Paleo Baking Flour
    Paleo Baking Flour
    2 tbsp
    7.
    Cream Heavy Whipping
    Cream Heavy Whipping
    5 tbsp
    8.
    Vegetable broth, bouillon or consomme
    Vegetable broth, bouillon or consomme
    7 tbsp
    9.
    Cheddar Cheese
    Cheddar Cheese
    1 cup, shredded
    10.
    Cheddar Cheese
    Cheddar Cheese
    1 cup, shredded
    11.
    Frozen Diced Butternut Squash
    Frozen Diced Butternut Squash
    8 oz
    12.
    Spinach, raw
    Spinach, raw
    2 oz
    13.
    Salt
    Salt
    ¼ teaspoon
    14.
    Black Pepper
    Black Pepper
    ¼ teaspoon
    15.
    Cream cheese, brick
    Cream cheese, brick
    2 oz
    16.
    Chicken Breast Boneless Skinless Raw
    Chicken Breast Boneless Skinless Raw
    20 oz
    17.
    Salt
    Salt
    ¼ teaspoon
    18.
    Black Pepper
    Black Pepper
    ¼ teaspoon
    19.
    Onion Powder
    Onion Powder
    ¼ teaspoon
    20.
    Garlic Powder
    Garlic Powder
    ¼ teaspoon
    21.
    Italian Seasoning
    Italian Seasoning
    ½ teaspoon
    22.
    Parmesan cheese, fresh (hard)
    Parmesan cheese, fresh (hard)
    1 tbsp, grated

Instructions

    1.
    Prepare your zucchini for about an hour before you want to bake them. Use a vegetable slicer or slice by hand ¼-inch thick slices. Arrange your zucchini slices on a flat surface and press paper towels over them to soak up excess moisture. Lay clean paper towels over the zucchini slices and lay a heavy cutting board or plates over them for 30 minutes. Once done, toss the zucchini slices in a large mixing bowl with salt and pepper.
    2.
    While the zucchini is being pressed, you can make the cheese sauce for the dish. Melt the butter in a small pot over low heat and stir in the garlic. Let the butter turn a golden brown and sprinkle in the paleo flour. Whisk this mixture over low heat as the flour also turns golden.
    3.
    Once you have a golden roux, whisk in the cream and vegetable broth. Whisk over medium heat as you bring the liquid to a simmer. Once the liquid has thickened, reduce the heat back down to low. Whisk in the first amount of cheddar cheese until you have a melted cheddar sauce. Again, whisk over low heat as the sauce reduces and thickens for 2-3 minutes.
    4.
    Set the sauce aside to cool and finish its thickening process. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Use an 11x7-inch or medium-sized glass baking dish to layer the scalloped zucchini. Create the first layer of zucchini by overlapping the slices by about ¼-inch across the bottom of the pan. Spread about ¼ of your cheese sauce across the layer. Follow this process by arranging a second layer of zucchini slices and cheese sauce. The original recipe here makes about 3 layers of zucchini and cheese sauce.
    5.
    Wrap the baking dish in aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes in the oven. Unwrap the dish and bake openly for another 15 minutes. Then, sprinkle the final amount of cheddar cheese over the top of the scalloped zucchini and bake openly for a final 30 minutes. This is 1 hour and 15 minutes of total baking time. Let the dish cool for 10 minutes before serving.
    6.
    While the scalloped zucchini is baking, you can prepare the chicken. In a mixing bowl, use a fork to smash THAWED butternut squash from a frozen bag. You can use unprepared butternut squash, but you will need to roast it beforehand. After mashing the butternut squash, stir in diced spinach, salt, pepper, and cubed cream cheese. Fold the ingredients so the cream cheese maintains its cube form.
    7.
    Prepare large, boneless chicken breasts by butterflying them. Try to choose thick breasts that are similar in size. Each full breast makes two servings. Stuff each butterflied breast with the butternut squash filling. Press the filling down into the chicken because there will be a lot. Use several toothpicks per breast to secure each one closed. Arrange the stuffed chicken breasts on a seasoned sheet pan or a pan lined with parchment paper.
    8.
    Season the top of each chicken breast with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and italian seasoning. You can bake the chicken while your scalloped zucchini is still in the oven. Bake for 40 minutes. After 40 minutes, sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the top of the chicken breasts and bake for another 15 minutes. Let the chicken cool for 5 minutes before slicing the stuffed chicken breasts in equal halves and removing the toothpicks for serving.