One-Skillet Chicken Thighs, Acorn Squash, and Arugula!
5.00 from 19 votes

Savory chicken, creamy acorn squash, and peppery arugula all in one skillet! This makes for an easy, delicious dinner with easy cleanup (WIN). This One-Skillet Chicken, Acorn Squash, and Arugula dinner recipe is one of my current faves!

Prep: 10 Cook: 45 Total: 55
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One-Skillet Chicken, Acorn Squash, and Arugula

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Savory chicken, creamy acorn squash, and peppery arugula all in one skillet! This makes for an easy, delicious dinner with easy cleanup (WIN). This One-Skillet Chicken, Acorn Squash, and Arugula dinner recipe is one of my current faves!

One-Skillet Chicken Thighs, Acorn Squash, and Arugula in a cast iron skillet

This past weekend I went home to west Texas to visit my family and celebrate my little nephew’s first birthday. It also happened to be my birthday, so there was lots of celebrating all around! It was a weekend of joyful bliss. I was completely unaware of the tasks and busy things of life and completely focused on the joys of family and friendship. Super refreshing and much needed! Living far away from family results in few weekends like this one, so when they come about I make sure to enjoy every second!

As you might imagine (and as indicated over on my Instagram post (opens in a new tab)), there was lots of pizza, lots of cake, and so much more. On the morning of my birthday, Cody and my dad surprised me with a ginormous box of donuts and coffee! So we had donuts for breakfasts all weekend (soooo goood….but soooo bad…), dessert after dinners, and basically all of my deep down favorite non-healthy food things.

It seems that the older I get, the less of that bad food life I can handle. It’s crazy to think that I used to eat like this on a REGULAR, every day basis (true story (opens in a new tab))! After just a couple of days of eating this way, my body was pretty ready to get back to healthy eating and working out.

close up shot of Chicken, Acorn Squash, and Arugula!

This One-Skillet Chicken, Acorn Squash, and Arugula dish ended up being a lifesaver after a weekend of unhealthy eats!

Especially since it happens to be so easy to make! You can basically make this with any veggies that you have on hand. Really, you can even make this with any type of chicken that you have! Simply adjust cooking times based on the ingredients.

side view of  Chicken, Acorn Squash, and Arugula in a cast iron skillet

For this recipe, I used a 12″ skillet (opens in a new tab) and ended up with about 2 good sized servings. I’ve never really been one to cook on a skillet, but this One-Skillet Chicken, Acorn Squash, and Arugula recipe has totally changed that! I love the crispy taste it gives the food, making healthy food non-boring (always a good thing) and taking things to the next level!

Also, I didn’t peel the skin off of the acorn squash for this recipe. However, feel free to cut the acorn squash into cubes (or whatever works best for you)!

overhead view of  Chicken, Acorn Squash, and Arugula in a cast iron skillet

ServingsServes 2
5.00 from 19 votes

One-Skillet Chicken, Acorn Squash, and Arugula

Gluten-Free
Prep: 10 minCook: 45 minTotal: 55 min

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp avocado or coconut oil
  • 4 chicken drumsticks
  • 2 medium acorn squash
  • 2 cups arugula
  • 1 small lemon

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Place 1 Tbsp oil on the skillet and heat over medium-high heat. 
  3. Add the chicken drumsticks and cook for about 10 minutes on each side (or until they are 80% cooked).
  4. While the chicken is cooking, slice or cube the acorn squash.
  5. When the chicken is about 80% cooked through, set aside and add another tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Cook the squash for about 5 minutes, flipping half way through.
  6. Add the chicken back into the skillet. Place the entire skillet in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is completely cooked.
  7. Remove from oven. Add in the arugula and squeeze lemon over the entire dish. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 512 kcal

Did you make this? I’d love to see!
Tag me on socials at @JarOfLemons (opens in a new tab) or #JarOfLemons (opens in a new tab)

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29 Comments

  1. Capri

    This dish is so vibrant and full of flavor! Thanks for the recipe!

  2. Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    This looks so so good. My husband will love this dish.

  3. Chef Dennis

    Yum! This is perfect for our weeknight dinner! Looks soo delicious.

  4. Audrey

    I love that this is also gluten free.

  5. Emily Flint

    I’m always looking for recipes with arugula and I can’t wait to make this one. My family is going to love it!