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Spiced Chicken with Spaghetti Squash, Pomegranate, and Pistachios

4.3

(46)

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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell

Spice-rubbed chicken legs get roasted alongside spaghetti squash and onion for an easy sheet-pan dinner that’s bursting with bright, comforting flavors inspired by Persian cuisine.

Cooks' Note

Pomegranate molasses is available at Middle Eastern grocery stores and specialty food stores. You can substitute 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar and 1 teaspoon of honey for the 1 tablespoon of pomegranate molasses in the dressing.

If the squash is difficult to cut, poke it all over with a paring knife and microwave on high for 5 minutes before cutting.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    1 hour

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

1 medium spaghetti squash (2–2½ pounds), halved lengthwise, seeded
1½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 medium red onion, peeled, quartered
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1½ teaspoons ground allspice, divided
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, divided
4 chicken legs (thigh and drumstick)
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses (see cooks' note)
½ cup roasted salted pistachios, coarsely chopped
⅓ cup pomegranate seeds
¼ cup coarsely chopped dill, plus more for serving
¼ cup coarsely chopped mint, plus more for serving

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 375°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

    Step 2

    Sprinkle each half of squash with ¼ tsp. salt, then place facedown on prepared baking sheet along with onion quarters.

    Step 3

    Combine turmeric, ½ tsp. salt, 1 tsp. allspice, and ⅛ tsp. cayenne in a large bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat. Arrange chicken skin side up alongside squash and onions on baking sheet. Brush tops of chicken with 1 Tbsp. olive oil. Bake until interior of squash and onions are fork-tender, chicken skin is crispy, and an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 165°, 35–45 minutes; if chicken is done before squash, remove from oven and let rest until squash is finished cooking.

    Step 4

    Meanwhile, whisk lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, and remaining 3 Tbsp. oil, ½ tsp. salt, ½ tsp. allspice, and ⅛ tsp. cayenne in a large bowl.

    Step 5

    Finely chop onion quarters and transfer to bowl with dressing. Using a fork, scrape squash crosswise to pull strands from shells into bowl with dressing; discard shells. Add pistachios, pomegranate seeds, dill, and mint and toss to coat.

    Step 6

    Divide chicken among plates, top with dill and mint, and serve alongside squash mixture.

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