Sautéed Chicken with Roasted Butternut Squash and Sage
Tender chicken breasts sautéed with garlic and fresh sage paired with sweet roasted butternut squash for a comforting Whole30 dinner. This american-inspired whole30 (whole30, gluten free) ready in about 40 minutes pairs (about 6 oz each) chicken breasts, olive oil, leaves fresh sage leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces (about 6 oz each) chicken breasts
- 1 medium (about 2 cups peeled and cubed) butternut squash
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 8 leaves fresh sage leaves
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 2 cups peeled and cubed butternut squash with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 25 minutes until tender and caramelized on edges.
- Step 2: While squash roasts, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season 2 chicken breasts with remaining 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Add chicken to skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Remove chicken and keep warm.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 8 fresh sage leaves to the skillet with 1/4 cup water and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant and sauce slightly reduces.
- Step 4: Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over, and serve alongside the roasted butternut squash.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Chicken with Roasted Butternut Squash and Sage take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Sautéed Chicken with Roasted Butternut Squash and Sage?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken with Roasted Butternut Squash and Sage?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sautéed Chicken with Roasted Butternut Squash and Sage for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Sautéed Chicken with Roasted Butternut Squash and Sage whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30, gluten free, dairy free, paleo, high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.