
This idea is inspired by an old favorite of mine, Butternut Carrot Chicken Soup/Stew, which I haven't made in ages. Mostly because butternut squash has been out of season until now.
I decided yesterday felt like a crock pot day. I just didn't want to worry about dinner and I had defrosted chicken from a recent grocery store trip, carrots and a butternut from the farm. It was perfect! Why not just throw everything in!
Which is exactly what I did and once the husband caught wind of my plan his exact quote was, "I thought you were going to make something normal."
LMAO He's been worried since my failed turkey loaf. Plus Butternut squash is NOT normal, in his opinion, but he's a good sport so he ate some for dinner even though he wasn't a fan. However! The little guy, immediately said,
"I don't like that."
To which I responded, "How do you know? You haven't tried it."
His response, "I didn't say, 'I don't like' I said, 'I don't WANT."
Little bugger.
Regardless.. he had TWO BOWLS! He didn't eat as much of the bulgur but downed the chicken and carrots. Total win in my book.
Me? I LOVED it! I'm eating the leftovers for lunch and it's even better the next day. What's not to like? It's a bowl full of warm, veggie goodness on a miserable rainy day. Total comfort food made from all healthy awesome ingredients. A Win-Win for me! 🙂
Here's what I did..
Ingredients
- 1 medium Butternut squash cut unto small cubes (about 3.5 cups - 500g)
- About 5-6 large carrots cut in larger chunks (about 300g)
- 2 lbs of boneless chicken breast cut into large chunks (fat removed)
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg (note: I would have used a little more but I was trying to make it husband friendly 😉
- 1 teaspoon ground sage
- ½ teaspoon of kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon cloves (note: I would have used a pinch more but I was trying to make it husband friendly 😉
- 5 cups of water (can use broth/stock instead and skip salt - I just didn't have any)
- ¾ cup of uncooked bulgur (120g)
Instructions
Add the butternut, carrots, chicken and spices to the crockpot. You want the carrots on the larger end and the butternut on the smaller end. This way the carrots hold together but the squash breaks down.
Add the 5 cups of water or broth.
I cooked on high for 4 hours but I'm sure 8 on low would work too.
After 4 hours I shut the pot of and added the dry bulgur. Honest here.. this was not in my original plan BUT the stew was too watery for my taste.
Cover and let sit for ½ hour.
After at least ½ hour uncover and stir. You are ready to eat!
I got 9 cups out of the crockpot (I'm getting better at measuring. 😉 but I got 5 servings out of it. We had 3 last night for dinner, I'm eating one now and I have another fridge. So I'll give the nutritional info per cup and let you decide. I think that's how I'm suppose to do it, right? Even at 2 cups which is a nice size serving (what I'm having now) it's only 6 points. That's a lot of food for 6 points!
📖 Recipe
Butternut Squash Stew with Bulgur
Ingredients
- 1 medium Butternut squash cut unto small cubes about 3.5 cups - 500g
- About 5-6 large carrots cut in larger chunks about 300g
- 2 lbs of boneless chicken breast cut into large chunks fat removed
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg (note: I would have used a little more but I was trying to make it husband friendly 😉
- 1 teaspoon ground sage
- ½ teaspoon of kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon cloves (note: I would have used a pinch more but I was trying to make it husband friendly 😉
- 5 cups of water can use broth/stock instead and skip salt - I just didn't have any
- ¾ cup of uncooked bulgur 120g
Instructions
- Add the butternet, carrots, chicken and spices to the crockpot. You want the carrots on the larger end and the butternut on the smaller end. This way the carrots hold together but the squash breaks down.1 medium Butternut squash cut unto small cubes, About 5-6 large carrots cut in larger chunks, 2 lbs of boneless chicken breast cut into large chunks, 1 teaspoon nutmeg (note: I would have used a little more but I was trying to make it husband friendly 😉, 1 teaspoon ground sage, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon cloves (note: I would have used a pinch more but I was trying to make it husband friendly 😉
- Add the 5 cups of water or broth.5 cups of water
- I cooked on high for 4 hours but I'm sure 8 on low would work too.
- After 4 hours I shut the pot of and added the dry bulgur. Honest here.. this was not in my original plan BUT the stew was too watery for my taste.¾ cup of uncooked bulgur
- Cover and let sit for ½ hour.
- After at least ½ hour uncover and stir. You are ready to eat!
Debbie Ramaekers
Just made this last night. Cooked on top of stove on low for a couple of hours, added the bulgur 30 minutes before it was done, after carrots cooked. Yum Yum my husband loved it. My 17 month old grandson loved it. I love your recipes, and the weight watcher points!
roni
Glad you found me Janet! - You can totally make a non-slow cooker version of this....
https://greenlitebites.com/2008/01/03/butternut-carrot-chicken-soupstew/
Just add the bulgur if you want to soak up the liquid. 🙂
janet
I just stumbled upon your blog, but I love your recipes. 🙂 I wish I had a slow cooker, though.. your recipes are pushing me in that direction. 🙂
FoodontheTable
Wow... you are so creative! This looks so satisfying for a fall meal. Well done.
Kelly
sounds tasty Ill have to try that out with cous cous or quinoa, bc thats what I have in my pantry haha! I would be down with adding some sweet potato to that too...
roni
oh! I agree! BUT.. I've learned to laugh at it rather than get angry. It's my defense mechanism. Plus he makes it more of a challenge and reminds me that there are still a LOT of people who don't even think of things like butternut when it comes to dinner. I'm trying to inspire them!
Jennifer
It really irks me when they (they being our family members) ask for "normal" food. I kinda just want to slap 'em silly and say this is normal food - whereas the stuff you prefer is processed junk. No offense to your eaters, just sayin'.
Amy
I think it looks yummy. I'll have to make this for my hubby. He loves squash.