Chicken in Butternut Squash Mushroom Cream Sauce

Total Time: 50 minutes

4.6 from 50 votes

Chicken in butternut squash and mushroom cream sauce. Imagine juicy chicken breasts seared until golden and served in a delicious butternut squash sauce. This chicken is made in one skillet with mushrooms, fresh sage and a handful of Parmesan. Rich, creamy and super hearty, this truly is a winning dinner. 

chicken in butternut squash sauce

Why You’ll Love This Chicken in Butternut Squash and Mushroom Cream Sauce

Cream-based pan sauces are some of the simplest and most tasty treats around. Serve with some crusty bread, mashed potatoes or polenta…and don’t forget that big side salad. A no-fuss weeknight dinner that everyone will love.

Throw in some squash, mushrooms and some sage, and you’ve got yourself a great one-pan meal.

This dish makes great use of those delicious butternuts or pumpkins. You’d think the hardest part of the recipe is peeling and dicing that squash, but actually it’s super easy.

Just check out my step-by-step VIDEO to guide you through this recipe.

chicken in butternut squash

How to Make Chicken with Butternut Squash in Creamy Sauce Recipe

We start by sautéing the mushrooms until crispy and golden, then remove them from the skillet to sear the chicken breasts. Next we sauté the squash until browned and tenderized, which takes only about 5 minutes.

We make this whole dish super flavorful with garlic, onion and fresh sage. Add chicken broth and cook it down while stirring and scraping the delicious brown bits from the bottom of our skillet. Once that’s done, we add cream, stir in white miso paste and add grated Parmesan. And we’re almost done!

Breaking up the dinner monotony at home, this recipe could be a welcome change at your table and hey, if you’ve got an extra-large squash, you’ll even have enough leftover to make some soup the next day.

chicken in butternut squash

What to serve with chicken in butternut squash cream sauce?

Here are a few things you can add to make it a meal:

chicken in butternut squash and mushroom cream sauce

Recipe Tips

  • You can use other squash varieties or pumpkin.
  • Instead of cream, use half-and-half or sour cream.
  • Swap chicken breasts for chicken thighs or, if you have more time, use bone-in, skin-on thighs and get the skin golden brown and crispy, with a tender and juicy inside from the bone! Truthfully you can use anything you want.
  • Instead of mushrooms, use spinach or steamed broccoli, and add those after you’ve added garlic and onion to the squash.

Storage

  • Make ahead: You can make this chicken recipe 1 day ahead of time.
  • Leftovers will keep for 3 days in the fridge.
  • To freeze: Cool completely, then freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

chicken in butternut squash

chicken in butternut squash and mushroom cream sauce
4.6 from 50 votes

Chicken in Butternut Squash Mushroom Cream Sauce

Golden-seared chicken breasts in a butternut squash cream sauce. Made in one skillet with mushrooms, fresh sage and a handful of Parmesan. Rich, creamy and super hearty, this truly is a winning dinner. Serve with some crusty bread, mashed potatoes or polenta.

Prep 10 minutes
Cook 40 minutes
Total 50 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 549

Ingredients 
 

  • 4 small chicken breast fillets - or 2 large cut in half lengthwise
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
 - divided
  • 9 ounces cremini mushrooms - chopped
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter

  • 14 ounces butternut squash - peeled, seeded and cut into cubes (about 1/2 squash)
  • 1 small onion - finely chopped

  • 3 garlic cloves - minced

  • 8 sage leaves - torn into pieces
  • 1 ¼ cups chicken broth
  • ¾ cup cream 20% fat
  • 1 tsp white miso paste
  • 1 ounce grated Parmesan
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes - for serving

Instructions 

  • Get all the prep done before you start cooking: mince the garlic, finely chop the onion and chop the mushrooms. 
    Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper and paprika.
  • Prepare the butternut squash: first slice off the ends using a sharp knife, next cut the squash in half. Peel with a sharp vegetable peeler. Next scoop out the seeds and cut the squash into slices. Then cut those into sticks and cut the sticks crosswise into cubes.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large non-stick skillet over high. Add mushrooms and sauté until they release their moisture, and become crispy and golden brown. Remove from skillet.
  • Again, add 1 tbsp oil and 1 tbsp butter. Add chicken and cook over medium high, about 5-8 minutes per side or until fully cooked and browned on both sides. This can vary with the size of your chicken breasts. Remove from skillet and place on a clean plate. Cover with foil.
  • Add squash and cook, stirring and tossing occasionally, until browned and tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in butter and add onion, garlic and sage leaves. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 2 minutes (sage should let off a great aroma).
  • Pour in chicken broth, stir and scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add cream, then stir in white miso paste and grated Parmesan. Keep stirring until miso is incorporated.
  • Add mushrooms and return chicken back to the skillet. Simmer for 3 minutes or until chicken is heated through. Finish off with black pepper and red pepper flakes. Serve!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 549kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 38gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 163mgSodium: 1151mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was below!


Comments

31 responses to “Chicken in Butternut Squash Mushroom Cream Sauce”

  1. How would you modify the cook time and/or temp for bone in, skin on thighs?

    1. hi, cook the thighs until golden and crisp, about 8 minutes per side. Then, after you made the sauce, add chicken back to the skillet and simmer for 10-12 minutes, you could also slide the skillet into the oven and bake at 450°F for 10 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Enjoy the recipe!

      1. Thank you!

  2. Brittany Avatar
    Brittany

    Thoughts on substitutions for the cream? Do you think a coconut cream unsweetened would
    work?

    1. hi, I would recommend using soy cream. Enjoy the recipe!

  3. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    Would thick Greek yogurt work?

    1. hi, I’ve never made this with Greek yogurt, but I think it should work well here. It will give the sauce a bright, tangy flavor.
      I would recommend using use the higher fat yogurt. Also, add a teaspoon or two of flour to the yogurt before adding it to the sauce, to reduce the chance of curdling. And add the yogurt at the end of cooking and keep it no higher than a bare simmer.
      Hope you love it!

  4. Kimberly Rice Avatar
    Kimberly Rice

    Hi any way you can make this pinnable? Thanks!!

    1. hi, there should be a pin button available on the top left corner of each picture, and in the top right corner of the recipe card. Enjoy the recipes!

  5. Jeanine Avatar
    Jeanine

    5 stars
    This recipe was so easy and so delicious. I rarely feel so compelled to give a review but this is the one you want for the perfect autumnal dinner. It’s only been a week and I’m making it again for my mom’s birthday tonight. Positively perfect. (I subbed coconut cream for the cream and ghee for the butter to keep it dairy free for some dietary needs in the family. Also topped it with crispy shallots bc why not?)

    1. Thank you Jeanine! It makes me so happy to hear this recipe is a hit!

  6. Sydney S Avatar
    Sydney S

    5 stars
    I made this and had to sub miso paste for soy sauce. It turned out really good and tastes even better the next day!

    1. I’m really happy you enjoyed the recipe, thanks for giving it a try!

      1. Oana Avatar
        Oana

        Hi! Would fish sauce be a good substitue for miso soup? Looks absolutely delicious xx

        1. Hi, yes, you can use fish sauce. Happy cooking!

  7. Pen Avatar
    Pen

    5 stars
    Thank you for this inspiration!! Made it tonight and it was lovely. Added thyme, finely chopped the sage, and a bit of white wine. Delish!

    1. Fantastic! That’s so nice to hear, thank you so much for giving this recipe a try!

  8. Cindy Avatar
    Cindy

    5 stars
    Making this with coconut milk. DELICIOUS! Also added spinach.

    1. That’s so nice to hear, I’m really glad you enjoyed this recipe. Thanks so much for your comment!

      1. Oana Avatar
        Oana

        Hi! Would fish sauce be a good substitue for miso soup? Looks absolutely delicious xx

        1. Hi Oana, yes, you can use fish sauce instead of miso paste. Enjoy the recipe!

  9. Frances Avatar
    Frances

    Have you ever made this in a slow cooker? Do you know what time and temp I could make this at?

    1. Hi Frances, I’ve never cooked this recipe in a slow cooker, but mostly it only takes 2.5-3.5 hours on LOW for boneless/skinless chicken breast to be fully cooked. Please let me know if you have any more questions. Happy cooking!

  10. Paul M Avatar
    Paul M

    5 stars
    I really liked this recipe, although next time I will probably slice thick chicken breasts in half so that they cook faster. I even forgot to add the parmesan at the end when making the sauce, but I sprinkled it on the entire dish while finishing. And it was still great. I do not think I would change a thing.

    1. Thanks Paul! So glad you enjoyed!

  11. 5 stars
    We have made this several times, it just gets better!

    1. It makes me so happy to hear that Pat!

  12. emi Avatar
    emi

    5 stars
    i LOVE this recipe, it sees heavy use in my household. its so delicious every time. thank you for sharing it!

    1. Hi Emi, I’m so happy to hear this!

  13. Lizet Ayari Avatar
    Lizet Ayari

    5 stars
    This recipe was absolutely delicious!!! I was cooking for 7 people so I did increase the amount of chicken to 6 chicken breasts (about 3 lbs.). I also accidently forgot to weigh the butternut squash and just put the entire thing in….luckily it was a small one and I was cooking for more people so it worked out just fine. I also increased the mushrooms to 12 oz to match the increased chicken.

    I paired this with 2 of Anna’s side dishes. Green Beans with Brown Butter Breadcrumbs and Roasted Carrots with Mustard Miso Dressing. The combination was superb! So much so, that my older brother said he could see this as the meal served at his wedding next autumn!! It truly is a great fall meal.

    1. Yayyy Lizet! Amazing!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it was a hit! x

4.60 from 50 votes (42 ratings without comment)

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