This butternut squash risotto combines roasted squash with chicken and arugula for a smooth, warming and tasty fall/winter meal (and a great way to use leftovers!)

bowl of butternut squash risotto with chicken with fork in front

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Risotto has become one of the things I'll make if I am not quite sure what to have for dinner as chances are, I have the core ingredients in the house.

It's a dish that's good both for an evening meal in itself, or served as a side. Even better, leftovers can be made into arancini.

butternut squash risotto with chicken and arugula close up

Risotto can be adapted in so many ways, too. As long as you have rice, garlic, onion and stock, you can play around with the rest. Adapt it to what you have, what flavors you want to bring out and whether you want super comforting or slightly lighter.

It is something my son has enjoyed from about as soon as he was able to eat it. I think it helps that it has cheese on top (in our cheese-loving family at least), but it's also easy to eat.

forkful of butternut squash risotto with chicken in front of bowl

As the weather gets colder, I find this version is always high up on my list. It combines tasty seasonal squash and leftover roast chicken (or turkey, after Holidays). And a touch of green for good measure.

This fall risotto is such a lovely smooth, warming dish. It's also a great way to sneak some good-for-you vegetables into a yummy meal.

cubes of squash in baking dish ready to roast for risotto

Stretching out the effort

On the face of it, it can seem like it all takes a while to cook. And it's true, it does take a little time. However much of it is hands off, or minimal work, and there are ways to make it a seem a little less effort.

Preparing ahead. You can either roast the squash at the same time as you cook the risotto rice, or you can roast it in advance.
Some now, some later. As an example, you could roast some squash when you have the oven on for something else the day before. Of course, ideal would be a roast chicken which you can then use leftovers of in this too.
If you are using leftover cooked squash, you need around one to one and a half cups of cooked squash to make the quantity in the recipe below.
Make extra for arancini. Those balls of rice, stuffed with cheese and covered in breadcrumbs, are delicious in their own right. In other words, worth having leftover risotto for.

cooking rice for butternut squash risotto with chicken

The amount of arugula/rocket or spinach is not all that much in the end risotto so feel free to add more. It's more to add a little color than take over but it would also be good with more in there. Similarly, you could miss out the chicken if you want a vegetarian version.

As I said, that's one of the fun things with risotto, you can play around to get the flavor, colors and textures you like.

bowlful of butternut squash risotto with chicken and arugula viewed from overhead

This butternut squash risotto with chicken and arugula to me, though, is one I look forward to being able to make at this time of year. It has a delicious mix of flavors, is smooth and comforting.

I'm pretty sure we'll have it on our menu a few times during the colder months - add it to yours!

butternut squash risotto with chicken topped with parmesan

Looking for more ideas for leftover chicken or turkey? Try these:

Pastilla (Moroccan phyllo savory pie)
Thai red curry (with a from-scratch sauce and great for leftover meat)
Vietnamese chicken salad
Leftover turkey pie with raisins and bechemel ('Australian pie')

Plus get more seasonal meal ideas in the fall recipes archives. And don't miss my pumpkin risotto for another seasonal risotto.

bowl of Butternut squash risotto with chicken and arugula with fork in front

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