Smoky Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash and Kale
This post may contain affiliate links. Read about my affiliate policy.
It’s finally starting to feel a little bit like fall in NYC, and I am Logan-style PSYCHED. You know I love summer for its crop tops, thong bikinis, and festive cocktails, but as of this week, I’m officially over it. I’m worried about my freckles, I’m sick of corn (sacrilege, I know), and one more wedding might actually kill me.
Bring on the sweater weather and weekend Instagram photos of everyone picking apples! This kid’s ready.
What I appreciate most about fall (barring decorative gourds, duh) is the sense of new beginnings. September has always been my January, and I tend to feel more motivated, organized, and generally badass this time of year. I’m particularly pumped about this month, as my horoscope promises “exciting opportunities on the horizon.” (FYI, I only believe in astrology when the stars are in my favor.) I have no idea what these opportunities are, but I certainly hope they involve me getting an assistant and/or doing some sort of food-themed collaboration with Beyoncé. I can’t wait.
This week has already been rather thrilling because, drum roll please, my roommate started a fancy new job yesterday. I’m not going to go into the details of what he’s doing because I have no idea for the sake of his privacy, but he’s very busy and important, and I couldn’t be more proud.
With the exception of some brief anxiety following an impromptu decision to cut his own sideburns (why?!), the Dude was incredibly relaxed leading up to his first day of work. I, on the other hand, was not. While Logan lay on the couch Sunday night casually watching the fooseball, I was all kinds of panicky on his behalf. What was he going to wear? Did he remember to pack everything in his man purse? Would he make friends? Should I send him with snacks?! I now understand how my mom felt whenever I started a new school year. So many things to stress about!
In order to distract myself, I asked Logan what he’d like for his first day feast. He initially said he didn’t care (which led me to believe he was ill and/or much more nervous than he was letting on), but then he requested one of my “dank creation bowls.” For the record, “dank creation bowls” are what I make during the week when I need to clean out the fridge, and they usually look something like this or this. After I had agreed to make the aforementioned bowls (“with sausage!”), the Dude changed his mind and asked for stew.
Stew was a random choice, especially for mid-September, but I ran with it. Honestly, I LOVE stew, and given my current hankering for fall weather and food, I was practically itching to break out my Dutch oven and simmer something warm and comforting on the stovetop. I considered a short rib situation, but that seemed overly aggressive for the summer-fall transition stage, so I went the chicken route. Allow me to introduce Smoky Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash and Kale…
This stew is a total sexpot. Tender butternut squash and juicy chicken thighs are simmered with onions, garlic, and tomatoes, and spiced with smoked paprika, oregano, cumin and a tiny pinch of cinnamon for warmth. There’s also a little chicken sausage in there for added depth and heartiness, and tender kale provides the necessary greenery. It’s sweet and savory with smoky undertones, and each bite works some serious magic on your taste buds.
Logan mostly just repeated “Fuck, that’s good,” throughout his first and second bowls, which is a pretty solid assessment.
In other good news, Smoky Chicken Stew happens to be a boss on the nutrition front. It’s packed with protein, fiber, folate, beta-carotene (which fights cancer), and tons of antioxidants thanks to anti-inflammatory butternut squash and superfood kale. Paleo peeps, this one’s for you. Ditto to all the glutards and Dude Dieters. WHOOP.
Needless to say, busier fall days call for simpler meals and less cleanup, which is just one more reason to fangirl over this one-pot wonder. If you buy pre-cut butternut squash (I obviously did), the entire recipe only requires about 15 minutes of hands-on time, and it’s 200% idiot-proof. You basically just add things to a pot, and then leave the whole shebang to simmer for half an hour. No muss, no fuss.
But wait, there’s more! Smoky Chicken Stew is one of those epic meals that actually tastes even better the next day, after the flavors have had time to get extra friendly with each other. So those of you cooking for one (love you) should be freakishly excited about leftovers. Sassy desk lunches and cozy couch dinners for daysss.
Happy almost fall, friends!
Smoky Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash and Kale: (Serves 4)
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4 ounces (2 links) spicy chicken sausage, diced
½ Spanish onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2½ teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes (I like to use fire roasted tomatoes when possible for extra smokiness.)
3 cups cubed butternut squash (go for ½-inch cubes)
½ bunch lacinato kale, center ribs removed, chopped (about 2 cups)
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Salt
-Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the chicken sausage and cook for about 5 minutes until lightly browned.
-Add the onion and garlic to the sausage and sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
– Add the smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, ground cinnamon and cayenne (if using) and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
-Add the tomatoes, butternut squash, kale, and chicken broth to the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the chicken thighs, cover the pan with a lid, and cook for 25 minutes.
-After 25 minutes, carefully remove the chicken thighs from the saucepan to a plate or cutting board. Using two forks, shred the meat into small pieces.
-Scoop about 1 cup of butternut squash from the pot and mash it with a fork. Don’t panic if there’s some tomatoes and kale in the mash, it’s all going back in the pot anyway. Duh.
-Return the shredded chicken and mashed squash to the saucepan and simmer, uncovered for another 10 minutes. Taste and add salt if necessary.
-Ladle stew into bowls and serve hot.
It’s probably a good idea to get some red wine involved.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 4 ounces 2 links spicy chicken sausage, diced
- ½ Spanish onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper optional
- One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes I like to use fire roasted tomatoes when possible for extra smokiness.
- 3 cups cubed butternut squash go for ½-inch cubes
- ½ bunch lacinato kale center ribs removed, chopped (about 2 cups)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Salt
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the chicken sausage and cook for about 5 minutes until lightly browned. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant. Add the smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, ground cinnamon and cayenne (if using) and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to toast the spices.
- Add the tomatoes, butternut squash, kale, and chicken broth to the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the chicken thighs, cover the pan with a lid, and cook for 25 minutes.
- After 25 minutes, carefully remove the chicken thighs from the saucepan to a plate or cutting board. Using two forks, shred the meat into small pieces.
- Scoop about 1 cup of butternut squash from the pot and mash it with a fork. (Don’t panic if there’s some tomatoes and kale in the mash, it’s all going back in the pot anyway. Duh.)
- Return the shredded chicken and mashed squash to the saucepan and simmer, uncovered for another 10 minutes. Taste and season with salt if needed. Ladle stew into bowls and serve hot.
Shop this post
Never miss a post!
Get new recipes and lifestyle tips delivered straight to your inbox.
I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed this yet because it’s one of my favorite recipes of Serena’s and it’s so good. I’m cooking for one so I always eat a portion for dinner, take a portion for lunch and then freeze the rest in portions for future me.
I saw Serena make this on her Instagram and I think I made it that very weekend! A new staple in my fall/winter soup/stew/chili rotation. I used baby kale because that is what I could find at the time and it worked great.
I’ve been making this recipe for years (initially on recommendation of a coworker) and everyone I’ve made it for LOVES it. Not surprising because It’s delicious! Super flavorful and makes me feel really good about eating it because of the diversity of nutrients. Makes a great lunch or dinner and also saves really well if stored hot in mason jars and refrigerated. Highly recommend!!
One of our favorite meals for years now
Love this recipe!
I make this throughout the winter, it’s by far my favorite stew to make, so easy and satisfying. I’ll have it alone for lunch or add a salad and some nice crusty warm bread for dinner. The flavors are just awesome!!!
Just made this for the first time and it’s delicious!! I love the combo of warm and smoky spices, I never usually cook savory meals with cinnamon. I used chicken breast instead of thighs and spinach instead of kale and threw in 1/2 a chipotle pepper in adobo because I had it in the fridge, and it came out sooo good. I’m freezing the other half to save for later!
This was amazing!! I’m not one for too much heat (left out cayenne) but loved the perfect level of smokiness from the blend of warm spices, spicy sausage, and fire roasted tomatoes. A keeper for sure! Thank you
I just made this and it’s bomb! I subbed already cooked rotisserie chicken because I’m lazy, and it’s definitely delicious! My hubby exclaimed how wonderful it was before he even finished his first bite! Great recipe! Thanks Serena!
YAY!!! I’m so happy it was such a hit!
Do you have any advice as to the best way to make a vegan version?
OMG! This was so damn good! I had most of the ingredients and had to use up some butternut squash.
I did sub baby spinach because my grocery store didn’t have tuscan Kale and I didn’t want to navigate the Trader Joe’s parking lot. I also used chicken tenderloins because that’s what I had. Such a great and different stew!
I’ve been making this soup for the past two years, and its seriously a die hard fave for me. I’m thinking of making a double batch and freezing some – have you ever done so and had any luck?
YESSS, love to hear that this stew is a staple!! Funnily enough, I have never frozen this particular recipe–but I’m 99% sure it would freeze really well.
just started to cook at 48 and made this tonight. I added carrots, celery and garbanzo beans. It’s absolutely amazing! Thank you!!!
Glad this was such a hit, Susan!! (And love that you put your own spin on it!)
Made this tonight – absolutely amazing!!!
We had some slices of whole grain crusty bread on the side to soak up the delicious juices. I am still humming over the taste, and my husband asked that it be added to the regular rotation for the colder season. You better believe it…
Serena-Can’t wait to hear how excited you are after you see how fast the kitchen aide pulverizes that chicken. Haha.
On another note, I am an ER RN, and we had a carry in the other night and I made this stew. I want you to know that everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE went crazy over it. I got MANY compliments and requests for the recipe. So to all that are reading this blog. YOU MUST TRY THIS RECIPE! It is awesome!
Thanks again! And keep ‘Em coming. I have not made a recipe on here that I did not thoroughly enjoy!
Ahh, this just made my morning! Thank you, Toni!!
Serena, first of all thanks for yet another amazing recipe. I have told so many people about your blog. As I’m looking through your pictures and my mouth is watering, I notice the 2 fork method when shredding the chicken. Were you aware that your kitchen aide mixer with the regular paddle blade can do the same thing in a matter of seconds? You may have but I was so excited to discover this, I had to share with everyone! You can throw a whole chicken breast in, lock it down, turn on the mixer and voilà it is done. Just thought I’d share as I’m sure they don’t teach these methods in fancy culinary schools. Haha. Again, thanks again! You rock!
Toni- Thanks so much for your compliments and for spreading the word about the blog! I’m incredibly appreciative. Also, I had no idea about shredding chicken in the kitchen aid! That is UNBELIEVABLY exciting, and I am ridiculously excited to make something with chicken just so i can try it. Thank you!!
Serena you are a genius in the kitchen! I made this last night because it was cold and rainy here in Florida (well, as cold as Florida gets in September) and it made me forget how bad the drive home was. Of course I took all the praise for one super fabulous dinner and for that I thank you. I am a loyal follower of the “Dude Diet” from this day forward.
Congratulation to Logan on the new job! This stew looks like a delicious first day feast, especially if you get some of your recommended red wine involved 🙂