Braised chicken with squash and cranberries is a fantastic fall meal bursting with great flavors! Butternut squash, cranberries, chicken, apple & onions combine for a lovely skillet dinner.

This braised chicken with butternut squash and cranberries is a perfect Autumn meal. Made with warm flavors and colors, this dish really comes together to create an inviting plate. Serve it up any night of the week or use it to impress dinner guests, and it’s sure to be loved every time.

Braised Chicken Recipe

I found this wonderful fall dish in the October issue of Everyday Food magazine. It was simple to put together, tasted great, and even looked pretty! To braise meat, you first sear it in a hot pan and then cook the remaining amount in liquid. By the end of cooking, the meat is really infused with moisture and flavor- yum!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You can do a lot of prep work early in the day, then simply toss everything together and cook it before dinner.
It’s a full meal in one. While we love serving this dish up with some tasty starches, technically, the squash can count as a starch on its own so if you don’t feel like making a side dish- don’t.
It’s versatile and adjustable. Feel free to make a few changes here and there and really make this recipe your own. I’ve messed with it several times, and every time it comes back more delicious than the last.

chicken with squash and cranberries on a plate

Easy Braised Chicken Ingredients

Butternut squash- You’ll want 3-4 cups of cubed butternut squash. Some grocery stores already sell precut squash if you’re looking to put in less effort.

Oil-Use 4 tablespoons of olive oil to help create a sear and prevent sticking.

Chicken– You will want 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts that have been halved and pounded thin.

Onion– Use 1 red onion that has been cut into 1/2 inch wedges or been finely chopped if you don’t want your kid to notice them.

Seasonings– You will want 1 teaspoon of dried sage, 2 teaspoons of ground coriander, and 1 teaspoon of nutmeg (this can be replaced by cinnamon if you don’t like nutmeg).

Flour– Use 4 teaspoons of flour to thicken the sauce.

Chicken broth– Having liquid in the pot is important for braising. You’ll need a 14-ounce can of chicken broth.

Cranberries– 1/2 cup of dried cranberries are needed to give a sweet and tart flavor combo. I used nearly a full bag of Craisins.

Salt and pepper- Add in salt and pepper to the recipe as needed (to taste).

Sausage– I used a red wine sausage that I just so happened to have in my fridge.

Pear– One of my recipe adaptations was adding in a sliced pear, and it really makes the dish wonderful. An apple would also be a great alternative.

How to Make Braised Chicken with Squash and Cranberries

Heat 2 TBSP oil over medium heat in a heavy pot.

While the oil is heating, moisten chicken breasts with a bit of water, then dredge them in the flour, seasoned with a bit of salt and pepper.

Place chicken in pan and sear until browned on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from pan.

Add the 2 TBSP oil to the pan and add squash, red onion, and spices. Cook, stirring until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

Add broth and cook, stirring and scraping up the browned bits on the bottom.

Nestle chicken in the squash mixture.

Add the cranberries and pear or apple and the sausage.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook an additional 20-25 minutes.

Serve with any side dish you’d like. I like a lightly herbed couscous.

Braised chicken with squash and cranberries is a fantastic fall meal bursting with great flavors! Butternut squash, cranberries, chicken, apple & onions combine for a lovely skillet dinner.

What to serve with braised chicken

A lot of people really enjoy serving this dish or next to a side of cooked quinoa or brown rice, and I have to say both sound like excellent (and healthy) options. We like to serve it with cooked couscous or rice pilaf, but you can’t go wrong with starchy options.

I originally served the dish over a basic couscous recipe, but to make it even easier, I think replacing the squash with a cubed sweet potato would be amazing! I also loved adding a piece of fruit- it added a certain sweetness that just tied everything together. Enjoy!

braised chicken sliced with butternut squash and cranberries

Braised Chicken with Squash and Cranberries

Braised chicken with squash and cranberries is a fantastic fall meal bursting with great flavors! Butternut squash, cranberries, chicken, apple & onions combine for a lovely skillet dinner.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Braised Chicken with Squash and Cranberries

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 30

Total Time: 50

Servings: servings

Calories: 427kcal

Author: Jessica & Nellie

Ingredients

3 cups butternut squash cubed
4 TBSP olive oil
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved (pounded thin)
1 red onion cut into 1/2" wedges {or chopped finely}
1 tsp dried sage
4 tsp flour
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp nutmeg
14 oz chicken broth
½ cup dried cranberries {nearly a full bag of Craisins}
salt & pepper
1 red wine sausage
1 apple sliced into 8 sections

Instructions

Heat 2 TBSP oil over medium heat in a heavy pot.
While oil is heating, moisten chicken breasts with a bit of water, then dredge them in the flour, seasoned with a bit of salt and pepper.
Place chicken in pan and sear until browned on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from pan.
Add remaining 2 TBSP oil to pan and add in squash, red onion and spices. Cook, stirring until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Add broth and cook, stirring and scraping up the browned bits on the bottom.
Nestle chicken in the squash mixture.
Add the cranberries and pear or apple and the sausage.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook an additional 20-25 minutes.
Serve along side couscous, rice pilaf, quinoa or whatever you’d like!

Nutrition

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Can I use a different cut of chicken?

Yes, absolutely! If you’re a fan of dark meat chicken, swap out the breasts for something else. Feel free to make this recipe using chicken thighs, chicken drumsticks, or even chicken quarters (that have been separated into legs and thighs).

What If I don’t have cranberries?

If you don’t have dried cranberries or aren’t a fan of them, then I urge you to try this recipe using golden raisins instead. The added sweetness really helps to bring the dish together.

Check out these other great chicken recipes!

Braised chicken with squash and cranberries is a restaurant quality meal that you can make in your kitchen and serve up at home. This high class dish is a perfect comfort meal that everyone can enjoy.