Autumn Chicken Dinner with Roasted Vegetables

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 F. Make sure the butternut squash is peeled, seeded, and cubed. Here is a very detailed recipe on how to peel, seed, cube, and roast butternut squash.

Step 2

In a large bowl, toss cubed butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Step 3

Spread the squash on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in one layer, without overcrowding.

Step 4

Roast on the middle rack in the preheated oven at 400 F for about 30 minutes. Remove from oven.

Step 5

Preheat oven to 400 F. Trim ends of Brussels sprouts and remove yellow leaves. Slice all Brussels sprouts in half.

Step 6

In a medium bowl, toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Step 7

Spread the Brussels sprouts on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in one layer, without overcrowding.

Step 8

Roast on the middle rack in the preheated oven at 400 F for 20 or 30 minutes. You can roast them at the same time you roast butternut squash. Remove from oven.

Step 9

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add tortellini and cook according to the package instructions. Drain.

Step 10

Slice skinless, boneless chicken thighs into thin strips. Season generously with smoked paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.

Step 11

Heat an empty large cast-iron skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes. This allows the cast-iron skillet to heat through. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add sliced chicken thighs in a single layer, without overcrowding. You might have to work in batches. Cook the chicken on medium heat for 4 minutes, without moving it at all so that it sears nicely.

Step 12

Flip the chicken slices over, reduce heat to low-medium, and cook for about 5 more minutes or longer until it's cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet to a plate.

Step 13

To the same, now empty, cast-iron skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Cook on low-medium heat for about 1 or 2 minutes or until the garlic softens.

Step 14

Add cooked tortellini and coat thoroughly with the garlic butter sauce on low-medium heat.

Step 15

Add back cooked chicken and stir to coat the chicken with the garlic butter sauce on low-medium heat. Remove from heat.

Step 16

Add roasted butternut squash and roasted Brussels sprouts to the skillet with cooked chicken and cooked tortellini. If you used a large skillet, everything should fit. If not, work in batches. Top with fresh thyme. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.