Description
Savory Spaghetti Squash Chicken Delight brings Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table with a light, nutritious twist. Roasted chicken, tender squash strands, and herbed seasoning create a guilt-free comfort meal that satisfies without heavy carbohydrates.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 medium spaghetti squash
- 10 oz fresh spinach
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh thyme
Additional Ingredients:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
- 6 oz crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the spaghetti squash by preheating the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the spaghetti squash lengthwise using a sharp knife, carefully removing the inner seeds and fibrous strands with a spoon.
- Drizzle the squash halves with of olive oil, then generously sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Position the squash halves face-down on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring even contact with the surface.
- Roast the squash in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until the flesh becomes tender and easily pierces with a fork.
- While the squash roasts, heat of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the chicken pieces with paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper, then cook thoroughly in the skillet until no pink remains.
- Remove the cooked chicken and slice it into thin, uniform strips.
- In the same skillet, add fresh spinach leaves, diced tomatoes, and minced garlic, cooking until the spinach wilts and releases its moisture.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese into the vegetable mixture and gently stir to combine flavors.
- Once the spaghetti squash is roasted, use a fork to create spaghetti-like strands inside the squash halves.
- Fill each squash half with the prepared vegetable mixture, arranging the sliced chicken on top.
- Garnish with fresh thyme leaves and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Roasting spaghetti squash transforms its texture into spaghetti-like strands, creating a low-carb pasta alternative that’s both nutritious and delicious.
- Drizzling olive oil and seasoning before roasting enhances the squash’s natural sweetness and helps develop deep, caramelized flavors.
- Cooking chicken with aromatic spices like paprika and oregano infuses the meat with a rich, Mediterranean-inspired taste profile.
- Using the same skillet for chicken and vegetables reduces cleanup and allows each ingredient to absorb the delicious cooking residue.
- Feta cheese adds a tangy, creamy element that perfectly complements the roasted squash and fresh vegetables.
- Garnishing with fresh thyme provides a bright, herbaceous finish that elevates the entire dish’s sensory experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg