Ground Chicken and Roasted Squash Taco Bowl
Savory seasoned ground chicken and caramelized butternut squash served over crisp lettuce with quick pickled red onions. A fresh, high-protein family meal that is easy to assemble.
Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Total
45 min
Makes
5 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Julia + Lila
Julia created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthComfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Total
45 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven · Large skillet · Sheet pan · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
The pickled red onions can be made up to 1 week in advance and stored in the fridge to add a bright, acidic punch to any meal.
Do these three things first
- 1Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment…
- 2Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 3Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 9 steps complete
Next: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and…
- 01
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and…
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Toss 5 cups (700g) of diced butternut…
In a medium bowl, toss 5 cups (700g) of diced butternut squash with 2.5 tablespoons (35ml) of olive oil, 1.25 teaspoons of chili powder, 1.25 teaspoons of ground cumin, and 0.5 teaspoon of salt until evenly coated.
Look for: evenly coated
Tap card to mark done - 03
Spread the squash evenly across the baking…
Spread the squash evenly across the baking sheet and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tender and caramelized on the edges.
Look for: tender and caramelized on the edges
Tap card to mark done - 04
Slice 1
While the squash roasts, slice 1.25 red onions thinly and place them in a bowl with the juice of 2.5 limes (about 5 tablespoons / 75ml) and a pinch of salt. Stir and set aside at room temperature to quick-pickle for 15 minutes.
Allow: 15 minutes
Tap card to mark done - 05
Heat 2
Heat 2.5 tablespoons (35ml) of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and 1.65 lbs (750g) of ground chicken. Cook for 7 to 9 minutes, breaking up the chicken with a spoon, until fully cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Look for: fully cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)
Tap card to mark done - 06
Stir 1
Stir 1.5 tablespoons of taco seasoning into the cooked ground chicken and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
Look for: fragrant
Tap card to mark done - 07
Chop 7
Chop 7.5 cups of romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and divide evenly across 5 serving bowls.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done - 08
Top each bowl with equal portions of…
Top each bowl with equal portions of seasoned ground chicken, roasted butternut squash, and quick pickled red onions.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done - 09
Serve immediately while warm
Serve immediately while warm, or store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done
Made this recipe?
Leave a quick rating or a cooking tip for the next woman.
Your symptoms change. Your plan should too.
One good meal is a start. Your whole week is better.
Tell Lila what you like, what you avoid and which symptoms are loud today. She’ll turn that context into meals, targets and small adjustments that fit real life.