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!
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!
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.
Next, roast the butternut squash in the oven until crispy.
Then, slice Brussels sprouts in half and toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Roast the Brussels sprouts in the oven at the same time you roast the butternut squash.
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.
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.
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
Autumn Chicken Dinner with Roasted Vegetables
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
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 Disclaimer:
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.
This was so delicious and very easy to make! Can’t wait to have leftovers. I am doing the freezing method!
Marlo, thank you for trying the recipe and so glad it was a success! 🙂
I don’t have a cast iron skillet. Could I use a skillet?
Kelly, you can use any kind of large, high-sided skillet. And, actually, in this recipe, the veggies are roasted on a baking sheet in the oven, and the large skillet is used just for the final assembly!
I am in the middle of making this recipe. Being a person who's never been very good at cooking I was intimidated at first looking at this meal, but the instructions and the way this is written is so clear. I feel so much more confident in trying this recipe because of the precise and clear instructions, that some recipes leave out. I really appreciate the way you describe exactly what to do in such a simple way and wanted to comment on this more than anything. Most recipes leave my head spinning and for the first time I feel confident. Thank you!
Novice Momma, thank you so much for such a thoughtful comment - I am happy you find my recipes helpful and easy to make - that's the goal! 🙂
Love this recipe. I switch up the veggies based on what I have on hand. This will be on rotation for me for sure.
D, I am so glad you tried this recipe and enjoyed it! So many other kinds of veggies can be used here, too.
Julia,
WOW this was so good. I roasted the sprouts/squash on the sheet pan together and they got done at the same time. Love having just one pan meals, my cast iron skillet was perfect for this meal.
Thanks, Diane
Diane, I am so happy you loved this recipe! One-pan meals are the best! Thank you for taking the time to share such a positive comment! 🙂
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
Amanda, your comment made my day! 🙂 I am so happy you found this recipe helpful and tasty!
Haven't tried this yet ut is there any way to lower the fat in this recipe?
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.
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!
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! 🙂
Hi, any ideas on what I can substitute for the tortellini to make this meal gluten free?
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!
Hello. I have an overabundance of frozen butternut squash and brussels sprouts. Can I use them instead of Fresh?
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.
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!!!
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!
Loved it! Will keep in the rotation (at least while I can get the butternut squash).
Glad you liked it! Thank you for the comment! 🙂
Just made this for dinner and yummy!! Love your blog and will be making again and again! Great way to use affordable chicken thighs!!
Jen, I am glad you liked it! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing such positive feedback - I appreciate it!! 🙂
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.
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! 🙂
Can we use sweet potato instead of butternut squash?
Absolutely! Sweet potatoes will taste equally delicious here.
I've made this and it's delicious. Can I make this with chicken breasts? What do you think?
Yes, you can make this with skinless, boneless chicken breasts - slice them in a similar fashion as the recipe suggests.
Not fond of Brussel sprouts. Thinking of broccoli and sweet potatoes
Those will work great, too!
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!
Sherry, I am so glad you tried this recipe and enjoyed it! You made it even better with your changes!