Chicken Bacon Spaghetti Squash

This was so good! You won't even miss the pasta and heavy sauce with this dinner! Adapted from a recipe found on Buzzfeed.


Photo by Lauren Zaser from BuzzFeed

INGREDIENTS

1 large spaghetti squash1 tablespoon olive oil
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
6 slices bacon
1-2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 5-ounce bag baby spinach
2 ounces soft goat cheese, crumbled (optional)

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

2 . Cut about half an inch off of the top and bottom of the spaghetti squash, and discard. those pieces. Cut the squash crosswise into rings about 1-inch thick and remove the seeds. Drizzle the olive oil on the baking sheet, then spread the squash rings over it, moving them around a little so that the undersides are evenly coated with a little bit of oil. Season with salt and pepper, then flip the rings over and season again. 

3. Roast in the preheated oven until the squash is tender, about 30 minutes. Let it cool slightly before peeling away the skin. Use a fork to create strings of squash. Transfer to a large serving bowl.

4. While the squash is roasting, heat a large skillet over medium heat, then add the bacon slices and cook to desired doneness. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate and chop into 1-inch pieces when cool enough to handle.

5. Add the chicken to the bacon grease and cook until it is no longer pink. Add the red wine vinegar to the bacon fat in the pan while stirring and scraping the caramelized bits off the skillet. After about 20 seconds, turn the heat down to low and add the maple syrup. Stir together just to combine, then add the spinach, one handful at a time, stirring after every addition.

6. Add the bacon pieces and the chicken mixture to the bowl with the spaghetti squash and toss to combine.

7. Sprinkle the goat cheese over the mixture and toss until it melts slightly, or serve on the side as a topping for those that want a dairy-free option.