Chicken Breasts with Apple Cider Gravy and Butternut Squash

 

Chicken and apple cider gravy go together well, along with a side of mashed butternut squash for a great autumn meal.

Chicken is a quick, easy, and healthy meat to prepare. It can be used in almost any dish and paired with almost any side. Chicken paired with butternut squash makes a perfect autumn dish.

Butternut Squash

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 stick of butter (1/2 for cooking, 1/2 for mashing)
• 2 large butternut squash
• 1/2 cup half & half
• 1/2 cup honey

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°.

 

1. Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl.
2. Cut the two squash in half. Use a spoon to get seeds out. Lay insides upon a baking sheet lined with foil.
3. Soften butter (do not melt). Rub butter on the squash. Sprinkle the sugar and spice mixture over the squash. Set remaining mixture to the side for later.
4. Cook for 1 hour, until soft enough to mash.
5. Using a spoon, empty out the insides of the squash. Place in a medium mixing bowl. Pour in half & half, sprinkle the remaining sugar and spice mix, 4 tablespoons butter, and 1/2 cup honey (use maple syrup or no honey or syrup, if desired). Stir until blended, and serve beside chicken and gravy.

Buttered Chicken Breasts

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, enough to coat the bottom of the pan
• salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
• 3 Chicken Breasts

Directions:

1. Combine salt and pepper with poultry seasoning, and mix well.
2. Cut 3 tablespoons of butter into 6 pieces. Make a deep cut to the middle of the chicken and place the butter inside the cut.
3. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a skillet.
4. Rub salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning on the chicken breasts.
5. Place the breasts into the skillet, cook 4-6 minutes on each side (until the internal temperature is 165°).
6. Once cooked, use tongs to take chicken out of pan and place on a plate. Then, make the gravy.

Apple Cider Gravy

This is one of the best and easiest recipes for gravy. It is Rachael Ray's recipe, but with a slight twist, and it is perfect for fall. It would even be good Thanksgiving turkey gravy.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 4-5 tablespoons flour
• salt and pepper to taste
• Chicken bits
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

1. Once chicken is done cooking and transferred to a plate, pour in apple cider and chicken stock. Bring to boil over medium to low-medium heat. Turn heat down. Stir in flour to thicken, and salt and pepper to taste.
2. If the gravy is too thin, add more flour, a little at a time. If it is too thick, add a tablespoon of cider at a time until desired texture is met.

Leftover Suggestion

If there is leftover chicken and gravy, mix together with prepared store bought stuffing and bake on 400° for 25-30 minutes. Rub butter across the top of the bake once cooked. Serve along side the remaining squash and enjoy another delicious meal.