Harvest Chicken Casserole

This Harvest Chicken Casserole features sweet and savory flavors from apples, butternut squash, brussels sprouts, and more. It's the perfect fall dish and also great for the holidays!

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Best Harvest Chicken Casserole Recipe

Have you ever had fall in a dish? Wasn't it delicious? Well, just wait until you try this Harvest Chicken Casserole. It's the epitome of fall in a dish, filled with hearty chicken, vegetables, and melty cheese.

What's in this fall casserole? I'm so glad you asked. We've got apples, brussels sprouts, butternut squash, onion, and pomegranate seeds, all sautéed to bring out their amazing flavors. And on top of all that, it's finished off with Brie wedges that will get melty and gooey in the oven. There's a little bit of sweetness, a little bit of cheesiness, and a WHOLE lot of delicious you'll surely love!

This casserole is filled with protein and veggies, making it a super healthy option to enjoy during the holidays. It's also grain-free, so you can pack in those other delicious carbs on the table. 😉

Harvest Chicken Casserole Ingredients

Chicken Breasts: We'll use two of them.

Cooking Oil: You could also use a cooking spray.

Fresh Thyme: For beautiful, fragrant flavor.

Chicken Broth: This will help infused some hearty flavor into our dish.

Salt + Pepper: Add to taste.

Sea Salt: I love this Truffle Honey one.

Minced Garlic: Such great flavor!

Onion: I used a white one for some sweeter flavor.

Butternut Squash: A staple fall vegetable!

Brussels Sprouts: Trust me, they taste delicious in the casserole!

Apple: I used a Honeycrisp apple.

Pomegranate Seeds: I love the sweet and tart flavor.

Brie: We will melt this on top of the casserole and it will be INCREDIBLE!

Spicy Honey: I drizzled some Mike’s Spicy Honey on top of this dish and it was absolutely amazing.

The kitchen equipment you'll need

To make this Harvest Chicken Casserole, you'll need a skillet, stovetop pan with a lid, casserole dish, cutting board, chef’s knife, slotted spoon, mixing spoon, measuring cups + spoons, and vegetable peeler.

How to make this Amazing Harvest Chicken Casserole Recipe

1. Take 2 large chicken breasts and dice into ¼” cubes. I like to remove any excess chicken fat and pound the breasts prior to cutting to make them nice and thin. I share more notes on this below.
2. Heat a skillet to medium heat. Then, spray with cooking oil and pick the leaves off the fresh thyme stalks. Place them in the pan.
3. Add the diced chicken to the pan and cook for 8-10 minutes. Sprinkle with salt + pepper. After the chicken has cooked on all sides (it’s okay if it’s not done cooking in the middle yet), add 1 cup of chicken broth. Then, once the chicken is done cooking, turn off the heat. Some of the chicken broth will evaporate—that's OK.
4. Using a knife, dice the apple into cubes, the brussels sprouts into quarters, and chop the white onion. The smaller you make them, the faster they'll cook and the more flavor you'll get in each bite. 
5. Remove the skin of the butternut squash with a vegetable peeler. Then, remove the seeds with a spoon and dice the squash into ¼” cubes. 
6. Heat another stove top pan (one with a lid) to medium heat. Spray with cooking oil and add minced garlic. Add the diced white onion, brussels sprouts, and butternut squash. Sauté for 5 minutes.
7. Add diced apples and pomegranate seeds. Sauté for another 5 minutes. The veggies should be a bit charred and wilted.
8. Then pour in the other cup of chicken broth into the pan. Cover and let simmer / steam for 5-8 minutes.
9. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grab the casserole dish.
10. Using a slotted spoon, remove the vegetables & fruit from the pan and transfer to the casserole dish. No broth should be used for the casserole.
11. Add the cooked chicken and stir.
12. Cut brie into small, ¼” wedges and toss into the casserole. I like to mix it in, but you could keep them all on top for a layer of melty cheese.
13. Bake the casserole for 15-18 minutes or until the brie is completely melted. 
14. Garnish with spicy honey, fresh thyme, and more pomegranate seeds. ENJOY!

Best way to prepare chicken

The way you prepare chicken is super important as it will affect its flavor and texture. Here's how I cook the most perfect chicken every time:

1. If your chicken is frozen, let it thaw. Then remove the chicken from its container and run the breasts under lukewarm water.
2. Take 2 large sheets of plastic wrap and layer them on a cutting board or countertop. You want to be sure they’re overlapping slightly as this is going to be the prepping station for the raw meat.
3. Using meat scissors, trim away any excess fat from the breasts.
4. Place them on the plastic wrap surface once trimmed & rinsed.
5. After all the breasts there, cover the chicken with 2 more sheets of plastic wrap.
6. Using a meat tenderizer (I call it a meat mallet), pound the chicken breasts until they’re all equal thickness. I aim for mine to be about ½ inch - ¾ inch thick.
7. Season and cook!

commonly asked questions

How should I store this Harvest Chicken Casserole?
Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a microwave safe dish and microwave for 30-60 second intervals until hot.

Do you have any tips for success?
It’s key to cook the chicken and vegetables in skillets beforehand. If you don't, you will end up with a severely underdone casserole—and no one wants that!

Is this good for meal prep?
It's GREAT for meal prep! It also is a healthy alternative to reach for when you're debating on eating in vs. out.

What should I serve with this casserole?
This casserole alone is a nutritious meal containing plenty of protein from the chicken and healthy carbs from the fruits and veggies. But if you’re looking to have an additional side, I suggest serving with a grain like quinoa, rice, or farro, or even enjoying on top a bed of creamy mashed potatoes.

swaps and substitutions

I don’t like brie. Can I use another cheese?
Yes! You can substitute a wedge of another type of cheese, but I recommend a softer cheese like mozzarella or chevre cheese because of their similar creamy texture.

Could I use sweet potatoes instead of butternut squash?
You sure can! Similar to butternut squash, sweet potatoes have a longer baking time, so just ensure that you boil the sweet potatoes for 10-15 minutes before dicing them into cubes and sautéing with the other vegetables.

Can I omit the spicy honey?
You can, but I don’t think you’ll want to! The spicy honey really takes this dish to the next level. Mike’s Spicy Honey is my go-to and I know Trader Joe’s also sells a great version. It’s worth a buy for this recipe and also goes great with plenty of other foods like eggs, pizza, roasted veggies, and even ice cream. You can also use regular honey or a seasonal flavor dressing. (Think something with fig, apple, or pear.)

other cozy fall dishes you might love

Creamy Sweet Potato Pasta

Crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

Whole Roasted Carrots with Fresh Apple Slaw

Roasted Green Beans

Healthy Chicken Tortellini Soup

Healthy Skillet Shepherd's Pie

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved, something that you think it might need, or just say hi!

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