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    Autumn Chicken Dinner with Roasted Vegetables

    Published: Oct 02, 2021 / 40 Comments

    110.7K shares
    • Facebook1.9K
    Recipe Print

    This colorful and vibrant Autumn Chicken Dinner with Roasted Vegetables features smoked paprika chicken, cheese tortellini, and garlic butter sauce.  The two main ingredients are amazing Fall veggies: roasted butternut squash and Brussels sprouts.   This dinner might become your new family favorite recipe this Fall!

    seared chicken, tortellini with roasted butternut squash and brussels sprouts in a cast-iron pan

    Autumn chicken dinner

    Butternut squash and Brussels sprouts are two delicious Fall veggies that are often used on their own or in salads.  Or as part of holiday side dishes, as in my very popular Thanksgiving side dish: roasted butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, cranberries, and pecans.

    In this autumn chicken dinner, however, they are part of a much larger picture.  Here, those two delicious roasted veggies are combined together with smoked paprika chicken, cheese tortellini, and garlic butter sauce.  The end result is a beautiful, colorful, and vibrant dinner.

    • The sliced skinless, boneless chicken thighs seasoned with smoked paprika and seared to perfection in a cast-iron skillet are so tasty!
    • The roasted butternut squash and Brussels sprouts pair beautifully with the chicken.
    • Cheese tortellini completes this colorful meal together with the garlic butter sauce.  This dish is my new favorite Autumn comfort food!

    seared chicken, tortellini with roasted butternut squash and brussels sprouts on a white plate

    Fall vegetables

    What I love about this autumn chicken dinner is that includes two of my favorite Fall veggies: butternut squash and Brussels sprouts.  They are delicious and so good for you!  If you want a complete meal and dinner involving these two veggies, this is it!

    This recipe requires a little bit more work than my usual recipes but it is so worth it!  And the only extra work involved here is roasting the butternut squash and the Brussels sprouts.  Peeling, seeding, and cutting the butternut squash in cubes does take time.  Roasting the veggies also takes time.   This is not a one-pan dinner.  You will use a cast-iron skillet and 2 baking sheets.  But, if you want to implement these 2 wonderful veggies into your menu, it's totally worth the effort!

    What kind of chicken can you use?

    • Skinless, boneless chicken thighs.  This is what I use in this recipe.  The dark meat of chicken thighs goes really well with all the other flavors.
    • Skinless, boneless chicken breast. You can definitely use chicken breasts - slice them thinly similar to how I sliced the chicken here.
    • Chicken Tenderloins or Tenders.  This is another perfect meat to use here.  It's already sliced, so you can use it as is, or slice it even thinner.

    Fresh herbs

    Fresh herms are so important in this recipe! They truly make or break it!  I use fresh thyme, and it adds a lot of flavor to this Fall chicken dinner.  I used ¼ of an ounce - or just a few sprigs of fresh thyme.  The more, the better!  I would not recommend using dried thyme.  But if you do use it, use a much smaller quantity.

    How to make autumn chicken dinner

    First, make sure you have peeled, seeded, and cubed butternut squash.  Toss it with olive oil, salt, and ground black pepper in a large bowl.

    If you want to know everything about how to peel, seed, and cube butternut squash - check out my very detailed basic recipe for roasted butternut squash.

    cubed butternut squash in a large bowl

    Next, roast the butternut squash in the oven until crispy.

    roasted butternut squash on a parchment paper lined baking sheet

    Then, slice Brussels sprouts in half and toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

    brussels sprouts in a bowl

    Roast the Brussels sprouts in the oven at the same time you roast the butternut squash.

    roasted brussels sprouts on a parchment paper lined baking sheet

    The skinless, boneless chicken thighs (sliced) are seasoned with smoked paprika, salt, and ground black pepper.  They are then seared in a cast-iron skillet until the golden crust forms.

    seared sliced chicken in a cast-iron skillet

    Next, the butter and the minced garlic are cooked together briefly with the chicken juices to create garlic butter sauce and then mixed with cooked cheese tortellini.

    cooked tortellini with butter sauce in a cast-iron skillet

    Finally, everything is combined together: cooked paprika chicken, cooked tortellini (both coated in garlic butter sauce), roasted butternut squash, and brussels sprouts.

    How to store and reheat it

    Because this autumn chicken dinner features only a simple garlic butter sauce, this recipe is perfect to make ahead.  Reheating it is a breeze, and you can make this 2 or 3 days in advance.

    • Fridge.  You can store this dish in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
    • Freezer.  This is a perfect meal to freeze.  Freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
    • How to reheat.  You can reheat this in a microwave oven for 1 minute.  Or, you can melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet and reheat this over medium heat for about 5 minutes.  So easy!  There is no cream sauce to deal with!  Just reheat everything with butter!

    What to serve with it

    Since this recipe already has lots of veggies, you don't really need to serve a veggie side dish with it.  A simple Fall salad will pair beautifully with this autumn dinner.  Try one of these:

    • Cranberry Spinach Salad with Cashews and Goat Cheese
    • Arugula Salad with Pears and Apples
    • Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts

    Other Autumn recipes you might like

    • Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach
    • Maple Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
    • Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Brussels Sprouts
    seared chicken, tortellini with roasted butternut squash and brussels sprouts on a white plate
    4.89 from 139 votes

    Autumn Chicken Dinner with Roasted Vegetables

    This colorful and vibrant Autumn Chicken Dinner with Roasted Vegetables features smoked paprika chicken, cheese tortellini, and garlic butter sauce.  The two main ingredients are amazing Fall veggies: roasted butternut squash and Brussels sprouts.   This dinner might become your new family favorite recipe this Fall!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 people
    Calories per serving 768 kcal
    Author: Julia

    Ingredients

    Roasted Butternut Squash

    • 3 cups butternut squash peeled, seeded, cubed
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • salt and pepper

    Roasted Brussels sprouts

    • 12 oz Brussels sprouts
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • salt and pepper

    Chicken and Tortellini

    • 9 oz cheese tortellini
    • 1 lb chicken thighs skinless, boneless
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • black pepper freshly ground, to taste
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 3 tablespoons butter
    • 5 cloves garlic minced
    • fresh thyme
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions 

    Roasted Butternut Squash

    • Preheat oven to 400 F. Make sure the butternut squash is peeled, seeded, and cubed. Here is a very detailed recipe on how to peel, seed, cube, and roast butternut squash.
    • In a large bowl, toss cubed butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
    • Spread the squash on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in one layer, without overcrowding.
    • Roast on the middle rack in the preheated oven at 400 F for about 30 minutes. Remove from oven.

    Roasted Brussels sprouts

    • Preheat oven to 400 F. Trim ends of Brussels sprouts and remove yellow leaves. Slice all Brussels sprouts in half.
    • In a medium bowl, toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
    • Spread the Brussels sprouts on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in one layer, without overcrowding.
    • Roast on the middle rack in the preheated oven at 400 F for 20 or 30 minutes. You can roast them at the same time you roast butternut squash. Remove from oven.

    Chicken and tortellini

    • Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add tortellini and cook according to the package instructions. Drain.
    • Slice skinless, boneless chicken thighs into thin strips. Season generously with smoked paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
    • Heat an empty large cast-iron skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes. This allows the cast-iron skillet to heat through. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add sliced chicken thighs in a single layer, without overcrowding. You might have to work in batches. Cook the chicken on medium heat for 4 minutes, without moving it at all so that it sears nicely.
    • Flip the chicken slices over, reduce heat to low-medium, and cook for about 5 more minutes or longer until it's cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet to a plate.
    • To the same, now empty, cast-iron skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Cook on low-medium heat for about 1 or 2 minutes or until the garlic softens.
    • Add cooked tortellini and coat thoroughly with the garlic butter sauce on low-medium heat.
    • Add back cooked chicken and stir to coat the chicken with the garlic butter sauce on low-medium heat. Remove from heat.
    • Add roasted butternut squash and roasted Brussels sprouts to the skillet with cooked chicken and cooked tortellini. If you used a large skillet, everything should fit. If not, work in batches. Top with fresh thyme. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Information
    Autumn Chicken Dinner with Roasted Vegetables
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    768
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    51
    g
    78
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    15
    g
    94
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    6
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    23
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    158
    mg
    53
    %
    Sodium
     
    611
    mg
    27
    %
    Potassium
     
    962
    mg
    27
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    49
    g
    16
    %
    Fiber
     
    8
    g
    33
    %
    Sugar
     
    6
    g
    7
    %
    Protein
     
    32
    g
    64
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    12400
    IU
    248
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    96
    mg
    116
    %
    Calcium
     
    196
    mg
    20
    %
    Iron
     
    5
    mg
    28
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Keyword autumn chicken dinner, autumn dinner
    Tried this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment and provide a Star Rating below - I love your feedback and try to respond to every comment!
    « Smoked Paprika Chicken with Creamed Spinach
    Creamy Ground Turkey Pasta with Butternut Squash and Spinach »
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    Please share your comment and Star Rating in the comments section below.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amanda

      October 19, 2022 at 11:12 pm

      I’m nearing the end of my 3rd trimester in pregnancy, and this hit so many nutritional targets AND satisfied all of my cravings! So nourishing, filling, and my 6 year old ate all of it!!! 10/10

      Reply
      • Julia

        October 28, 2022 at 7:10 pm

        Amanda, your comment made my day! 🙂 I am so happy you found this recipe helpful and tasty!

        Reply
    2. Tammy

      October 17, 2022 at 7:43 am

      Haven't tried this yet ut is there any way to lower the fat in this recipe?

      Reply
      • Julia

        October 28, 2022 at 7:50 pm

        Tammy, here are some tips on reducing some of the fat in this recipe:

        1)
        Don't use butter - skip it.

        2)
        Use skinless boneless chicken breasts.

        Reply
    3. Victoria

      October 16, 2022 at 7:31 pm

      I have three children. One only prefers junk food, one would live off ramen if I let him and the other would live off cereal if I let her. I made this and I have literally never received more thank yous for a meal than I did with this one. They absolutely loved it! Also, my husband, who rarely eats anything green actually ate the Brussels sprouts with no problem! He truly enjoyed it as well! Great recipe!

      Reply
      • Julia

        October 28, 2022 at 7:52 pm

        Victoria, your comment really made my day and made me smile, too! 🙂 You have a good sense of humor. I am so flattered your whole family enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for taking the time to share such a positive comment! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Amber

      October 12, 2022 at 6:29 pm

      Hi, any ideas on what I can substitute for the tortellini to make this meal gluten free?

      Reply
      • Julia

        October 28, 2022 at 9:02 pm

        Amber, I would use gluten-free ravioli. I myself prefer to use gluten-free stuff and I haven't seen gluten-free tortellini yet. But I am seeing a lot of gluten-free ravioli - they would work great here!

        Reply
    5. Ruth

      April 13, 2022 at 3:16 pm

      Hello. I have an overabundance of frozen butternut squash and brussels sprouts. Can I use them instead of Fresh?

      Reply
      • Julia

        April 24, 2022 at 7:51 pm

        Yes, you can use frozen butternut squash (peeled and cubed) and frozen Brussels sprouts. You don't even need to thaw it. Toss it, still frozen, with olive oil and salt and pepper and roast it following the recipe instructions. Make sure it's not overcrowded on a baking sheet to prevent steaming.

        Reply
    6. Helene Lichtman

      October 30, 2021 at 5:53 pm

      Oh wow!!! My husband saw someone post this recipe on Facebook & told me to make it!! We had it 2 nights in a row and we're obsessed!! Thank you!! I'm trying your garlic parmesancrusted salmon & asparagus tomorrow night!!!

      Reply
      • Julia

        November 03, 2021 at 2:35 pm

        Helene, your comment made my day! So glad you've made this new recipe (that I posted just recently) twice already! And, thank you for stopping by and letting me know!

        Reply
    7. Cathy

      October 29, 2021 at 10:31 am

      Loved it! Will keep in the rotation (at least while I can get the butternut squash).

      Reply
      • Julia

        November 03, 2021 at 2:58 pm

        Glad you liked it! Thank you for the comment! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Jen

      October 24, 2021 at 5:16 pm

      Just made this for dinner and yummy!! Love your blog and will be making again and again! Great way to use affordable chicken thighs!!

      Reply
      • Julia

        October 24, 2021 at 5:40 pm

        Jen, I am glad you liked it! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing such positive feedback - I appreciate it!! 🙂

        Reply
        • Jason

          October 03, 2022 at 11:52 am

          I made this at the fire station the other night. The fellas loved it. I substituted sweet potatoes for the butternut squash. Will definitely make again.

          Reply
          • Julia

            October 03, 2022 at 1:26 pm

            Jason, I am so glad you tried this recipe and liked it! I am happy it tasted good with sweet potatoes. Thanks for stopping by and sharing such a positive comment! 🙂

            Reply
      • Rachel

        August 30, 2022 at 11:17 am

        Can we use sweet potato instead of butternut squash?

        Reply
        • Julia

          September 01, 2022 at 4:28 pm

          Absolutely! Sweet potatoes will taste equally delicious here.

          Reply
    9. Linda

      October 15, 2021 at 3:04 pm

      I've made this and it's delicious. Can I make this with chicken breasts? What do you think?

      Reply
      • Julia

        October 23, 2021 at 3:42 pm

        Yes, you can make this with skinless, boneless chicken breasts - slice them in a similar fashion as the recipe suggests.

        Reply
        • Randy Primus

          November 12, 2021 at 1:02 pm

          Not fond of Brussel sprouts. Thinking of broccoli and sweet potatoes

          Reply
          • Julia

            November 18, 2021 at 4:31 pm

            Those will work great, too!

            Reply
    10. Sherry

      October 09, 2021 at 9:59 pm

      Just made this for supper with only a couple of changes. I added mushrooms and onions. And I added a little cream and tomato paste to the sauce. It was a delicious meal with all the tastes of fall. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Julia

        October 11, 2021 at 9:23 pm

        Sherry, I am so glad you tried this recipe and enjoyed it! You made it even better with your changes!

        Reply
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    Hi, I'm Julia! Welcome to my recipe blog where I share easy-to-make weeknight dinners and other recipes using simple ingredients!

    I have made and tested all of the recipes presented on this site personally.

    I also personally do all of the writing and the original photography for JuliasAlbum.com. My recipes are everyday, familiar foods, cooked from scratch. I hope you enjoy them and let me know your feedback in the comments!

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