Butternut Squash, Quinoa and Chicken Stew

This was very good! A hearty comfort food without the usual guilt that comes along with comfort food! This is so healthy! And, my best friend who is a Holistic Nutritionist gave it two thumbs up and requested it be posted on my blog so she can have the recipe :)  (I made a large batch and she got sent home with some leftovers!)  Adapted from http://www.cookincanuck.com/2011/11/hearty-chicken-stew-with-butternut-squash-quinoa-recipe/

Note: leftovers will freeze well for future easy/healthy dinner :) 

Butternut Squash, Quinoa and Chicken Stew

(serves 6)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded & chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
• 3 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 can (14 oz) petite diced tomatoes
• 2/3 cup uncooked quinoa 
• 1/3 cup dried mixed beans
• 3/4 cup pitted and quartered kalamata olives
• Juice of one freshly squeezed lemon
• Franks red hot sauce, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt, to taste
• 1/4 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley

Instructions

1. Steam the butternut squash until barely tender, about 10 minutes. Remove half of the squash pieces and set aside.
2. Steam the remaining squash until very tender, an additional 4 to 6 minutes. Mash this squash with the back of a fork. Set aside
3. Preheat a large sauce pan to medium heat. Add olive oil.
4. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is starting to turn brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
5. Add minced garlic and oregano. Cook, stirring, for 1 additional minute.
6. To the saucepan, add tomatoes, butternut squash pieces, mashed butternut squash. Stir to combine.
7. Stir in chicken broth, quinoa and dried beans. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook until the quinoa turns translucent and beans are soft; about 30 minutes.
8. Stir the chicken, olives, lemon juice, hot sauce, salt and pepper into the stew and simmer, uncovered, to heat, about 5 minutes.
9. Stir in parsley and serve.