Description
This Baked Chicken and Vegetables with Hot Honey Chimichurri recipe delivers a flavorful and wholesome meal featuring tender chicken tenders roasted alongside vibrant butternut squash, mushrooms, onions, and juicy tomatoes. The dish is elevated with a bright, spicy, and slightly sweet hot honey chimichurri sauce that adds a fresh herbaceous punch. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe combines simple roasting techniques with an easy-to-make chimichurri to create a satisfying, balanced plate that’s both comforting and exciting.
Ingredients
Spice Blend
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
Roasted Vegetables and Chicken
- 3 cups butternut squash, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 8 ounces mushrooms, quartered
- 1 medium yellow onion, halved lengthwise and thickly sliced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1½ pounds raw chicken tenders or chicken breast strips
- 4 Campari or cocktail tomatoes, halved
Hot Honey Chimichurri Sauce (Optional)
- ¼ cup minced fresh parsley leaves and stems
- ¼ cup minced fresh cilantro leaves and stems
- 3 cloves garlic, grated or minced
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hot honey
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (218°C) and place a rack in the top third position to prepare for roasting.
- Mix the spice blend: In a small bowl, combine the kosher salt, ground black pepper, ground paprika, garlic powder, and smoked paprika thoroughly to create the seasoning mix.
- Season the vegetables: Place the cubed butternut squash, quartered mushrooms, and sliced onion into a 9×13-inch baking dish or a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the vegetables and sprinkle half of the prepared spice mixture. Toss everything gently to coat the vegetables evenly with oil and seasoning.
- Prepare the chicken: Add the raw chicken tenders or breast strips to the baking dish among the vegetables. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the chicken and sprinkle the remaining half of the spice mixture onto it, turning the pieces to ensure even coverage on both sides.
- Roast initial ingredients: Place the pan in the preheated oven and roast for 10 minutes to start cooking the chicken and soften the vegetables.
- Add tomatoes and continue roasting: After 10 minutes, add the halved Campari or cocktail tomatoes to the pan, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and return it to the oven. Roast for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until the butternut squash is fork-tender and the chicken starts to cook through.
- Broil to finish: Switch your oven setting to broil on high. Broil the chicken and vegetables for 4 to 6 minutes, rotating and checking frequently to avoid burning, until the top is nicely browned and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring it is fully cooked.
- Prepare the Hot Honey Chimichurri: While the chicken and vegetables roast, combine minced parsley, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, hot honey, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) in a small bowl. Stir well to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Rest and serve: Remove the roasted dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and flavors to settle. Spoon the prepared hot honey chimichurri generously over the chicken and vegetables just before serving to add brightness and a touch of spice.
Notes
- For best results, cut the vegetables evenly so they cook uniformly.
- If you prefer a milder sauce, omit the crushed red pepper flakes in the chimichurri.
- The hot honey in the chimichurri balances heat with sweetness, but you can adjust the amount to your taste.
- Chicken tenders cook faster than breast strips, so check for doneness accordingly.
- This dish pairs well with a side of rice or crusty bread to soak up the chimichurri sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American