Today, I’m sharing the second set of recipes in my new Fast Food series. This one features flavorful baked chicken and the most delicious butternut squash. I served ours with applesauce, but a green salad or peas would be great too.

Both recipes go in a 375 oven and take around 30 minutes to cook. I’d start with the butternut squash and then, once that is in the oven, move on to the chicken. The squash gets a little special treatment after it comes out of the oven, as orange and maple syrup are added. Make this tonight for your favorite people.

Baked Chicken
Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 lb. chicken breasts, cut into four, equal pieces
1 onion
2 cloves of garlic, peeled
1 sprig of thyme
1 sprig of rosemary
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Freshly cracked black pepper
Salt

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 375. Cut the onion in half. Then, quarter each half. Sprinkle the onion pieces in the bottom of your baking dish. Add in the garlic cloves and herbs. Place the chicken on top. Season each piece with lots of freshly cracked black pepper and a little salt. Drizzle the chicken with extra virgin olive oil.

Place in the oven and cook for around 30 minutes. Keep an eye on it. The chicken is ready when the juices run clear.

Maple, Orange Butternut Squash
Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 butternut squash
1/2 tsp. orange zest
1/2 tsp. good quality maple syrup
Freshly cracked black pepper
Salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375. Peel and cube the butternut squash. I start by cutting my squash into smaller workable pieces like the ones shown below.

Then, I use a sharp knife to trim off the hard outer coating. The round end has seeds inside. Use a spoon to scoop those out (This is very similar to what you do for pumpkin carving, but on a much smaller scale.).

Season the squash with salt and pepper and toss with the evoo. Using your hands to mix these ingredients is the fastest way to incorporate everything. Cook for 15 minutes and then flip. Return to the oven and cook for another 15 minutes or until soft.

Remove the butternut squash from the oven and place it in a small pot over low heat. Now, add the butter, zest and syrup. Mash all the ingredients together.