Braised Chicken Thighs With Butternut Squash Recipes

BRAISED CHICKEN WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Cut half the squash into 1-inch pieces and set aside. Cut remaining squash into 1/2-inch pieces and reserve, refrigerated, to make Butternut Squash Soup with Shrimp.
• In a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Season chicken with salt and pepper and, in two batches, cook, skin side down, until skin is golden and crisp, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer chicken to a plate; pour off fat from pot.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil, reserved squash, and onion to pot and cook until vegetables are beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add sage, flour, coriander, and nutmeg and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add broth and cook, stirring and scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon, 1 minute. Nestle chicken, skin side up, in squash mixture, add cranberries, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, partially cover, and simmer until chicken is cooked through and squash is tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

APPLE CIDER-GLAZED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH FRITTERS

Steps:

• For the butternut squash fritters: Place the squash, apple, ginger, egg, breadcrumbs, sage, rosemary, salt and pepper into a large bowl and stir together to combine.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and coat the bottom with about 1/4 inch of oil. When the oil shimmers, scoop heaping tablespoons of the squash mixture and drop gently into the oil, pressing with the back of the spoon to slightly flatten. Fry in batches until brown and crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Drain on a plate lined with lightly crumpled paper towels. Sprinkle lightly with more salt before serving. Makes about 2 dozen fritters.
• For the apple cider-glazed chicken thighs: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs on each side with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper, then cook in batches on each side until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
• Lower the heat to medium and add the onions and 2 sprigs of thyme to the pan. Season with salt, add a little water, and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet until the onions are golden and softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the apple cider, vinegar and the reserved liquid from squeezing out the squash and apple. Simmer until reduced, 5 minutes.
• Remove the thyme leaves from the remaining 2 sprigs of thyme, then finely chop the thyme, parsley, and tarragon. Set aside.
• Whisk the butter into the reduced sauce, then add the chicken thighs back to the pan to warm through for 2 or 3 minutes, coating with the glaze and sprinkling with the fresh herbs. Check that the thighs have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, then serve with the Butternut Squash Fritters.

BRAISED COLLARD GREENS AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, until the shallots are soft, about 3 minutes.
• Lower the heat to medium and add the garlic, ginger and a few grinds of pepper; stir until combined.
• Add the collard greens, 1 1/2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil, then cook, stirring occasionally, until the collards wilt, about 5 minutes.
• Lower the heat to medium-low, cover and cook until the collards are tender, about 15 minutes. Add the squash, cover and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Remove the lid, increase the heat to medium-high and cook until the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add the butter and toss to coat. Serve hot with a squeeze of lemon juice or hot sauce if using.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, until the shallots are soft, about 3 minutes.
• Lower the heat to medium and add the garlic, ginger and a few grinds of pepper; stir until combined.
• Add the collard greens, 1 1/2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil, then cook, stirring occasionally, until the collards wilt, about 5 minutes.
• Lower the heat to medium-low, cover and cook until the collards are tender, about 15 minutes. Add the squash, cover and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Remove the lid, increase the heat to medium-high and cook until the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add the butter and toss to coat. Serve hot with a squeeze of lemon juice or hot sauce if using.

BRAISED PROVENCAL CHICKEN WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND WHITE BEANS

Steps:

• Combine 6 cups water, beans and onion in large pot. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover partially and simmer until beans are tender, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Cool in cooking liquid. Drain bean mixture, discarding cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, place chicken in medium bowl. Add 1 tablespoon oil, oregano, thyme and rosemary and toss to coat. Let stand 30 minutes at room temperature.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Working in batches, cook chicken in skillet until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to plate.
• Pour off drippings from skillet. Add wine and garlic to skillet; simmer until liquid is reduced by half, scraping up browned bits, about 2 minutes. Stir in squash, tomatoes in juice and drained bean mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Add chicken to skillet. Cover and simmer until chicken is cooked through and squash is tender, about 40 minutes. Stir in parsley. Simmer uncovered until sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Transfer chicken to serving bowl. Spoon bean-and-vegetable mixture over.