This recipe for chicken with pumpkin grits and broccoli is the best dinner for a perfect fall evening. It’s easy to put together and super flexible!
We can all make a delicious chicken dish, but the real star of this dinner is the pumpkin grits! A great seasonal option always makes dinner that much more enjoyable and this one is no exception.
In this dish, you can get creative with your pumpkin side. We chose to use grits as something a little different, but you can certainly make mashed potatoes or even polenta as the base and then simply add the pumpkin puree.
We know there is some confusion and questions out there about the various types of sides, so we wanted to clear some of that up! Our recipe calls for instant grits or cornmeal – did you know you could use those interchangeably?
What is the difference between grits, polenta and cornmeal?
- We found that this article explains it best if you want to know a bit more!
While the pumpkin grits are the star of this dish, a simple mix of seasonings make this chicken a super tasty addition and a great protein the whole family will love.
How do you season the chicken in this recipe?
- We simply used salt and pepper, with paprika and garlic salt but you can make the chicken any way you’d like!
- Try using a cajun seasoning
- Or use Frank’s red hot seasoning – this is Phi’s favorite way!
To round out a dish, we love adding simple frozen vegetables. They cook in a microwave bag in just a couple of minutes. Season them to your liking and you have an easy vegetable to round out your dish!
Chicken with Pumpkin Grits and Broccoli
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts large, 1.5 lbs.
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- Salt and pepper
For the pumpkin grits
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2/3 cup instant grits or cornmeal
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree canned
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 bag broccoli florets frozen or fresh if you prefer.
Instructions
To make the chicken
- Cut chicken into 4 pieces/tenders. Drizzle with olive and oil. Sprinkle on paprika and garlic salt. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the chicken on the stovetop. Cook for 10-15 minutes or until you see no more pink in the center and juices run clear. Chicken should be cooked to 165 degrees.
To make pumpkin grits
- In a medium to large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Whisk in instant grits (or cornmeal) until combined. Remove from heat. Add pumpkin puree and salt. Stir in cheese.
- Microwave broccoli according to package instructions. Season to taste. If you prefer to use fresh broccoli, prepare in your favorite way!
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