Name: Slow Cooker Chicken with Butternut Squash and Couscous
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 3 cloves garlic (minced or pressed); 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin; 1 ½ teaspoons ground cardamom; 1 teaspoon turmeric; ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper; 8 bone-in chicken thighs (about 5 pounds); 2 to 3 pounds butternut squash (5 to 6 cups cubed squash); 1 cup golden raisins (regular raisins are fine, too); 1 cup low sodium or unsalted chicken broth; 2 boxes (10 ounces each) couscous; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, to garnish; ¼ cup toasted almond slices, to garnish

Description

A hearty slow cooker chicken dish featuring butternut squash, aromatic spices, and couscous for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic (minced or pressed)
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
1 ½ teaspoons ground cardamom
1 teaspoon turmeric
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
8 bone-in chicken thighs (about 5 pounds)
2 to 3 pounds butternut squash (5 to 6 cups cubed squash)
1 cup golden raisins (regular raisins are fine, too)
1 cup low sodium or unsalted chicken broth
2 boxes (10 ounces each) couscous
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, to garnish
¼ cup toasted almond slices, to garnish

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Instructions

Wash and peel the squash. Cut it in half and scrape out the seeds and stringy membranes. Cut the squash into approximately 1-inch chunks. You should have 5 to 6 cups, more or less.
In a small bowl, stir together olive oil, garlic, cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, cayenne, turmeric, salt and pepper.
Remove skin from the chicken thighs. Using a sharp kitchen shears, trim excess fat from the chicken.
Put chicken thighs into a large slow cooker and rub oil mixture all over chicken thighs.
Add squash, raisins and chicken broth on top of chicken. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or on high for 4 hours.
About 15 minutes before serving, prepare couscous according to package instructions. If you prefer, the meal can be served as is, or with rice or another grain.
Serve chicken mixture over couscous, if desired, and garnish with fresh herbs and toasted almond slices.

Notes

This recipe can easily be customized with other vegetables or spices based on your preference.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Category: Main Dish
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 450
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 100mg