Elevate your weeknight dinner with this vibrant and nourishing dish. Sweet roasted butternut squash, savory grilled chicken, and wholesome whole grain pasta come together in a symphony of flavors and textures, creating a satisfying meal that's both healthy and delicious.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

0 mins

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

02

Step

5 mins

In a large bowl, combine the cubed butternut squash with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano, basil, sea salt, and pepper. Toss until the squash is evenly coated with the aromatic herbs. Transfer the mixture to a sheet pan.

03

Step

35 mins

Roast in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the squash pieces are golden brown on the bottom. Remove from the oven, flip the squash with a spatula, and continue cooking for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until tender.

04

Step

5 mins

While the squash is roasting, preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.

05

Step

2 mins

Brush the chicken breasts with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season generously with sea salt and pepper.

06

Step

10 mins

Grill the chicken on the preheated grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove the chicken to a plate and slice thinly.

07

Step

15 mins

While the chicken is grilling, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the whole grain penne pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 11 minutes. Drain the pasta thoroughly and transfer it to a large bowl.

08

Step

5 mins

Top the pasta with the roasted butternut squash, including all the flavorful oil and herbs from the sheet pan. Add the sliced grilled chicken and sprinkle generously with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil if the pasta appears dry.

For a vegetarian version, simply omit the chicken and add a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas or white beans to the pasta along with the butternut squash.
Roasting the butternut squash brings out its natural sweetness and creates a caramelized crust. Don't overcrowd the sheet pan, or the squash will steam instead of roast. If necessary, use two sheet pans.
Fresh herbs add a vibrant flavor to the dish, but you can substitute dried herbs if fresh are not available. Use about 1 teaspoon of each dried herb.
Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures that they cook evenly on the grill.
Feel free to add other vegetables to this dish, such as bell peppers, zucchini, or onions. Roast them along with the butternut squash.