Italian Chicken and Acorn Squash Couscous

Let’s tantalize your taste buds with this delicious Italian Chicken and Acorn Squash Couscous recipe! This wholesome dish combines tender chicken with roasted acorn squash, fresh herbs, and fluffy couscous for a flavorful meal. Serve it up for lunch or dinner and enjoy! This dish can easily be converted into a scrumptious vegetarian dish by omitting the chicken, if that’s your preference.

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This recipe contains two of my most favorite foods – acorn squash and pearl couscous. You might think I’m a bit crazy if you knew just how many times a week I incorporate these two lovely foods into my diet! But over the past year I have switched to more of a vegetarian/Meditteranian diet and Corey has focused more on a Meditteranian diet. Acorn squash and couscous has allowed us to cook the same meals, I just omit the meat from my portion. Easy peasy!

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Here’s your grocery list for Italian Chicken and Acorn Squash Couscous:

Serving Size: 2 people

Acorn Squash

• Acorn Squash – 1 large acorn squash , sliced in half through the stem down
• Extra virgin olive oil – 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil , divided
• Kosher salt – 1 tbsp kosher salt , divided
• Black pepper – 1 tbsp black pepper , divided

Couscous

• Vegetable broth – 1½ cup vegetable broth
• Kosher salt – ½ tsp kosher salt
• Pearl couscous – 1 cup pearl couscous
• Extra virgin olive oil – 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil , or 1 tbsp butter
• Rosemary, 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary, chopped
• Salt + pepper , season to taste

Chicken and Sauce

(for a vegetarian alternative, omit chicken breast from the list below)

• Chicken breast – 1 large chicken breast , cut into small pieces
• Extra virgin olive oil – 1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt – ½ tbsp kosher salt
• Black pepper – ¼ tbsp black pepper
• Tomatoes – 3 medium tomatoes , fresh
• Italian seasoning – 1 tbsp Italian seasoning , if you don’t have – see recipe further below in post
• Mozzarella – 1 cup mozzarella cheese , divide into 4 portions
• Dried parsley – 1 tbsp dried parsley , divided

How do you make Italian Chicken and Acorn Squash Couscous?

Baking acorn squash is a tasty and easy way to enjoy the wonderful flavor of this vegetable. It’s also a great way to make a healthy side dish for any meal. Here are the steps you will need to follow in order to bake the perfect acorn squash.

What is Acorn Squash?

Here are some interesting facts about acorn squash:

• Acorn squash is an easy to grow winter squash, with a sweet and nutty flavor.
• Acorn squash is an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium.
• The seeds of acorn squash can be roasted like pumpkin seeds for a crunchy snack.
• Acorn squash can be cooked in a variety of ways – roasted, steamed, boiled, microwaved or baked – and can be used as a substitute for pumpkin in many recipes.
• The skin of an acorn squash is edible when cooked, so there’s no need to peel it before cooking!

Squash is a delicious and nutritious vegetable that comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. There are 8 different types of squash, and they are all in season from late summer through early winter.

The 8 types of squash are:

1. Acorn Squash – This type of squash has a distinctive acorn shape and has dark green skin with orange or yellow-orange flesh. It is typically in season from September to December.

2. Butternut Squash – Butternut squash is shaped like a bell and has light tan skin with orange flesh. It is typically in season from October to December.

3. Delicata Squash – Delicata squash has an oblong shape with pale yellow and green stripes on its skin and yellow-orange flesh inside. It is typically in season from September to January.

4. Hubbard Squash – Hubbard squash is large, round, and has thick, bumpy blue-gray skin with orange flesh inside. It is typically in season from October to January.

5. Spaghetti Squash – Spaghetti squash is oblong-shaped with light yellow skin and yellow flesh inside that separates into spaghetti-like strands when cooked. It is typically in season from August to October.

6. Summer Squash – Summer squash includes crookneck, pattypan, zucchini, etc., which are all shaped like cylinders or discs with thin skins (edible) and pale yellow or white flesh inside that can be eaten raw or cooked lightly when mature (not all varieties are edible at all stages). They are typically in season from June to August/September depending on the type of summer squash you’re looking for.

7. Turban Squash – Turban squash looks like a turban hat with its bright colors ranging from orange to green or white stripes on its hard shell exterior with an orange flesh inside that can be used for pies or as a roasted side dish when mature (not edible at all stages). It is typically in season from October to January/February depending on the variety you’re looking for .

8. Kabocha Squash – Kabocha squash has a dark green rind with deep ridges and sweet orange flesh inside that can be eaten baked or steamed when mature (not edible at all stages). It is usually available from October to February/March depending on the variety you’re looking for.

What are some other ways I can cook Acorn Squash?

The possibilities are endless! You can serve acorn squash as a side dish topped with melted butter, roasted nuts, fresh herbs, or even cheese if desired – You can also puree it into soups or use it as an ingredient in other recipes such as casseroles or quiches for an extra nutritious twist on your favorite dishes!

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What is couscous?

There are three main types of couscous:

• Moroccan couscous – Moroccan couscous is the smallest and most traditional type.
• Israeli couscous – Israeli and Lebanese couscous are bigger and more chewy.
• Lebanese couscous

All three types can easily be cooked up with broth or stock, but they all have their own unique flavor profiles.

More info about couscous:

One of the great things about couscous is how quick and easy it is to prepare. It only takes 7-10 minutes to cook and can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to main courses. It’s also a healthy and nutritious choice, as it’s low in fat and high in protein, fiber, and vitamins. Plus, couscous is extremely versatile – it can be flavored with spices or herbs for added flavor, or even cooked with vegetables for a complete meal.

Here are some interesting facts about couscous:

• Couscous is a traditional dish of North Africa, particularly Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya.
• It is made from coarsely ground semolina wheat or other grains such as barley, millet, and sorghum.
• Couscous is traditionally served with vegetables and meats.
• The name “couscous” comes from the Arabic word “kaskasa,” meaning to pound or grind small particles.
• It can be served hot or cold and can be used in salads and soups as well as casseroles and side dishes.
• Couscous cooks quickly and absorbs the flavors of whatever it is cooked with for a delicious dish!

What is pearl couscous?

Pearl couscous, also known as Israeli couscous, is larger than regular couscous and has a chewy texture and tastes like pasta. It is made from durum wheat flour and is shaped into small round balls. It can be used as a side dish or in salads. In comparison, regular couscous is made from semolina wheat flour and is much finer and quicker to cook. It’s usually served as a side dish or in soups or stews.

How do I make my own Italian seasoning?

Making your own Italian seasoning from scratch is easy and fun.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 tablespoon dried basil
• 2 tablespoon dried marjoram
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Simply mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and stir until everything is evenly blended. Store them in an airtight container. Enjoy your homemade Italian seasoning!

Looking for more tasty and easy recipes? Try a few here:

• Italian Chicken and Acorn Squash Couscous
• Chicken & Pork Crostina Pasta
• Creamy Beef and Potatoes
• Wild Rice Chicken Casserole – (Easy Recipe)
• Meat and Potato Timballo Pie

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