Crockpot Maple Dijon Chicken With Butternut Squash

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Crockpot Maple Dijon Chicken With Butternut Squash is the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and hearty. Juicy chicken thighs are slow-cooked in a maple-Dijon sauce that’s tangy and slightly sweet, paired with tender butternut squash for a cozy fall-inspired meal. The slow cooker does all the work, making this dish an effortless way to serve something wholesome and flavorful without hovering over the stove. This recipe works beautifully for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or even a holiday gathering when you want a comforting main dish that tastes like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen. It’s healthy, hearty, and full of warm seasonal flavors that bring comfort to every bite. Ingredients 2 lbs chicken thighs (boneless, skinless preferred) 4 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed 1 medium onion, sliced 3 garlic cloves, minced ½ cup maple syrup 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 2 teaspoons fresh) 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper ½ teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional, for warmth) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Preparation Step 1: Prepare the Sauce In a bowl, whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, thyme, salt, pepper, paprika, and cinnamon. Step 2: Layer Ingredients in Crockpot Place cubed butternut squash and sliced onion on the bottom of the slow cooker. Nestle chicken thighs on top. Pour the maple Dijon sauce evenly over everything. Step 3: Cook Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender and butternut squash is soft. Step 4: Serve Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm. Variations Add More Veggies: Include carrots, parsnips, or Brussels sprouts for extra fall flavors. Creamy Version: Stir in ½ cup heavy cream or coconut milk before serving. Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of Dijon horseradish mustard. Chicken Breasts: Swap thighs for boneless chicken breasts but reduce cooking time slightly. Cooking Notes Chicken thighs stay moist and flavorful in the slow cooker, but breasts can be used for a leaner option. If you prefer crispier chicken, sear thighs in a skillet before adding to the crockpot. Use fresh butternut squash or pre-cubed to save time. Serving Suggestions Serve over wild rice, quinoa, or mashed potatoes. Pair with roasted green beans or a simple salad for balance. Add a warm bread like cornbread or dinner rolls to soak up the sauce. Tips Spray the crockpot with cooking spray for easier cleanup. For deeper flavor, marinate chicken in the maple Dijon sauce for 1–2 hours before cooking. Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors meld. Store in airtight containers up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Timing Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 6–7 hours (LOW) or 3–4 hours (HIGH) Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes (on LOW) Nutritional Information (per serving, 6 servings) Calories: 395 Protein: 32g Sodium: 610mg FAQs Q1: Can I make this recipe with frozen butternut squash? Yes, but add it halfway through cooking to prevent mushiness. Q2: Can I make this dairy-free? Yes, the recipe is naturally dairy-free unless you add cream at the end. Q3: Can I use maple-flavored syrup instead of pure maple syrup? Pure maple syrup is best for flavor, but pancake syrup works in a pinch. Q4: How do I thicken the sauce? Remove chicken and squash, then simmer the sauce in a saucepan with 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed in water until thickened. Q5: Can I double the recipe? Yes, but use a larger crockpot and extend cooking time by 30–45 minutes. Conclusion Crockpot Maple Dijon Chicken With Butternut Squash is a cozy, flavorful dish that captures the essence of fall in every bite. The sweet maple syrup, tangy Dijon mustard, and earthy butternut squash create a harmony of flavors that make this casserole-style meal unforgettable. With minimal prep and hands-off cooking, it’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again for weeknights, gatherings, or meal prep.

Crockpot Maple Dijon Chicken With Butternut Squash is the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and hearty. Juicy chicken thighs are slow-cooked in a maple-Dijon sauce that’s tangy and slightly sweet, paired with tender butternut squash for a cozy fall-inspired meal. The slow cooker does all the work, making this dish an effortless way to serve something wholesome and flavorful without hovering over the stove.

This recipe works beautifully for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or even a holiday gathering when you want a comforting main dish that tastes like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen. It’s healthy, hearty, and full of warm seasonal flavors that bring comfort to every bite.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken thighs (boneless, skinless preferred)
  • 4 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 2 teaspoons fresh)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional, for warmth)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce

  • In a bowl, whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, thyme, salt, pepper, paprika, and cinnamon.

Step 2: Layer Ingredients in Crockpot

  • Place cubed butternut squash and sliced onion on the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Nestle chicken thighs on top.
  • Pour the maple Dijon sauce evenly over everything.

Step 3: Cook

  • Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender and butternut squash is soft.

Step 4: Serve

  • Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Variations

  • Add More Veggies: Include carrots, parsnips, or Brussels sprouts for extra fall flavors.
  • Creamy Version: Stir in ½ cup heavy cream or coconut milk before serving.
  • Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of Dijon horseradish mustard.
  • Chicken Breasts: Swap thighs for boneless chicken breasts but reduce cooking time slightly.

Cooking Notes

  • Chicken thighs stay moist and flavorful in the slow cooker, but breasts can be used for a leaner option.
  • If you prefer crispier chicken, sear thighs in a skillet before adding to the crockpot.
  • Use fresh butternut squash or pre-cubed to save time.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve over wild rice, quinoa, or mashed potatoes.
  • Pair with roasted green beans or a simple salad for balance.
  • Add a warm bread like cornbread or dinner rolls to soak up the sauce.

Tips

  • Spray the crockpot with cooking spray for easier cleanup.
  • For deeper flavor, marinate chicken in the maple Dijon sauce for 1–2 hours before cooking.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors meld.
  • Store in airtight containers up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Timing

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 6–7 hours (LOW) or 3–4 hours (HIGH)
  • Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes (on LOW)

Nutritional Information (per serving, 6 servings)

  • Calories: 395
  • Protein: 32g
  • Sodium: 610mg

FAQs

Q1: Can I make this recipe with frozen butternut squash?

  • Yes, but add it halfway through cooking to prevent mushiness.

Q2: Can I make this dairy-free?

  • Yes, the recipe is naturally dairy-free unless you add cream at the end.

Q3: Can I use maple-flavored syrup instead of pure maple syrup?

  • Pure maple syrup is best for flavor, but pancake syrup works in a pinch.

Q4: How do I thicken the sauce?

  • Remove chicken and squash, then simmer the sauce in a saucepan with 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed in water until thickened.

Q5: Can I double the recipe?

  • Yes, but use a larger crockpot and extend cooking time by 30–45 minutes.

Conclusion

Crockpot Maple Dijon Chicken With Butternut Squash is a cozy, flavorful dish that captures the essence of fall in every bite. The sweet maple syrup, tangy Dijon mustard, and earthy butternut squash create a harmony of flavors that make this casserole-style meal unforgettable. With minimal prep and hands-off cooking, it’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again for weeknights, gatherings, or meal prep.

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