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Today, we’re talking about something that feels both timeless and tender — Harvest Time. The season of gathering, of slowing down, of looking at what we’ve grown — both in our gardens and in our lives — and being grateful.
There’s something almost sacred about this time of year. The air turns crisp. The markets are heavy with pumpkins, squash, and apples. And the kitchen — that cozy heart of the home — starts to hum again with the sound of chopping, stirring, roasting.
Harvest isn’t just about what we pull from the soil. It’s about what we’ve cultivated in ourselves. It’s gathering the bounty from all the seeds we’ve planted throughout the year and celebrating our accomplishments.
The goals we’ve tended quietly. The relationships we’ve nourished. The dreams that maybe took longer to grow than we expected — but grew all the same.
And today, I want to celebrate all of that — through a recipe that’s as comforting as a fuzzy blanket and as warming as a cup of hot cocoa or relaxing herbal tea with honey.
We’re making my AutumnHarvest Chicken and Vegetable One-Pot dish that captures everything I love about the harvest season — warmth, color, and total comfort.
It’s a simple one-pot recipe that layers tender chicken thighs with hearty root vegetables and fresh aromatic herbs, creating a meal that feels like a cozy embrace. Perfect for slow evenings, family dinners, or Sunday meal prep.
This delicious one-pot meal is more than comfort food — it’s a reminder that good things take time.
That flavor, like fulfillment, develops slowly.
So light a candle, stir the pot, and savor your harvest. 🌾 🍂
🎙️ Listen to the full podcast episode above or on #Spotify
Autumn Harvest Chicken and Veg One-Pot | Cozy Fall Recipe
A cozy one-pot fall dinner with chicken, root vegetables, and fresh herbs—inspired by harvest season and gratitude. Simple, nourishing, and full of flavor.
4boneless or bone-in chicken thighs (skinless or skin-on)
2tbspolive oil
1medium onion, diced
3cloves garlic, diced
2medium carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
1potato, cubed or handful of baby potatoes, halved
1small sweet potato, cubed
2cupsbutternut squash, cubed
2tspfresh thyme
1 tspSpanish paprika or All-Purpose seasoning
Salt and Pepper, to taste
1cupchicken broth
1tbspbutter (or cream)
fresh herbs (parsley, sage, or rosemary)for garnish
Equipment
1 Dutch Oven
1 wooden spoon
Measuring cups and spoons
Method
Sear the Chicken:
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat.
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place thighs (skin-side down if using) and sear until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
Sauté the Vegetables:
In the same pot, add onion and garlic. Sauté until fragrant.
Stir in carrots, potatoes, sweet potato, and butternut squash. Sprinkle with paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Deglaze and Simmer:
Pour in the broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
Nestle chicken thighs back into the pot, skin-side up. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook on low heat for 35–40 minutes.
Finish and Serve:
Once the vegetables are tender and the chicken is fully cooked, stir in butter or cream for a silky finish.
Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh herbs.
Serve:
Ladle into bowls. Serve with crusty bread or over rice for a hearty fall meal.
Video
Notes
🌿 Chef’s Notes
For a vegetarian version, swap chicken for chickpeas and use vegetable broth.
Add a splash of white wine before simmering for extra depth.
Leftovers reheat beautifully — even better the next day.
Kristen Hess
The Artful Gourmet
NYC Food Blogger
NYC Food Stylist
NYC Food Photographer
Kristen Hess
NYC Food Photographer
The Artful Gourmet
Kristen Hess / The Artful Gourmet
Hi, I’m Kristen Hess — Food Stylist, Photographer, Blogger, and Creator of The Artful Gourmet. Welcome to my new updated blog 2.0! I am so excited to get back into blogging again after working full-time as a Senior Food Stylist for a big agency / grocery retailer in Texas for the past few years…it’s so great to get back into my groove and focus on my business again. And it feels amazing to be sparked by a new perspective and brainstorm all the crazy cool content I’m planning to create. I have so many exciting things to announce that I’ve launched, and am planning for the rest of year (and going forward!), so keep reading below!
Food is more than something we eat — it’s art, culture, creativity, and joy. The Artful Gourmet brand/blog/show is all about celebrating food as art, as story, and as a way of life.
I’ll take you behind the scenes of my culinary world, sharing recipes and food stories,
restaurant and product reviews, cool food events I’ve hosted, photographed or attended,
food styling and photography tips, social media and creative business advice,
culinary travel adventures, lifestyle tips and advice, and inspiration for living artfully every day – One Bite At A Time.
I’m also bringing back my Things I Love column (and a new Friday Favssocial media video) featuring all the cool, delicious and fun food, places, people and things that I’ve discovered and that deserve a shoutout!
Keep an eye out for my upcoming YouTube cooking show, “Groovy Eats”, where I’ll be whipping up some fun recipes and cocktails from past decades with a twist (literally!) and some groovy tunes to jam out to in each episode.
So whether you’re here to cook, create, learn something new, or simply indulge in the beauty of food and life, you’re in the right place. Let’s celebrate the art of food — together.
Recently launched The Artful Gourmet Podcast + YouTube Channel (@thearfulgourmet)!
For years, I’ve dreamt of creating a space where food, photography, and lifestyle converge. Today, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of the Artful Gourmet YouTube channel, a project that’s been a long time in the making. Join me as we embark on this exciting journey together!
This project’s been really a long time coming now. I think I’ve been planning this for a few years now! With a passion for food styling and photography, I aim to create a YouTube and Podcast channel that’s not only about recipes and food photography, but also about life, creativity, and business. With inspiring conversations that spark confidence, creativity and curiosity in your own lives, too.
The Artful Gourmet channel will feature a variety of content, including:
Engaging interviews and peer conversations
Live sessions/Q+A with Kristen
Recipe shorts/videos on social media and a new cooking show – “Groovy Eats”
Photography and food styling videos, live demos, and tips + tricks
Business and lifestyle mindset advice (See “IntoFocus” Series on YouTube)
Restaurant reviews, product reviews and culinary excursions/stories
I personally invite you to be part of this vibrant community! And don’t forget to like, follow, subscribe, and share my channels – I really appreciate your support as it will be invaluable as the channels both grow and evolve into something more.
The Artful Gourmet YouTube and Podcast channels are more than just online platforms; they are both communities where creativity and passion collide, and come to life.
So whether you’re here to cook, create, learn something new, get inspired, be entertained, or simply to savor, you’ll find something delicious waiting for you.
Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and like my pages so you never miss an episode — and let’s celebrate the art of food, together.
I was recently invited to be featured in Voyage San Antonio Magazine! They interviewed me for a story on their Local Stories page which highlights and celebrates local business owners, leaders and influencers in San Antonio TX.
I also have some more really exciting news…I recently auditioned to be in a new TV documentary series highlighting successful women in business and entrepreneurs. AND – my episode just got the GREEN LIGHT for production! I’ll be flying to #Miami for a full day of filming and a photoshoot for my episode this Fall, and will also be attending a super cool networking event with other #entrepreneurs and #celebrities that are also cast members of the show! My episode on the show will be aired on major streaming networks in 2026, so stay tuned! (Can’t say which ones yet, but it’s a pretty big deal!)
So, that’s it for this week – so check back soon for more delicious recipes, stories and fun content in the weeks to come!
I am so excited to share my recipe for Spicy Buffalo Chicken Parmesan that I created for a recipe contest using Miller’s Banana Pepper Sauce. Miller’s began as a home kitchen experiment, cooking up homemade hot sauces for family and friends. Twenty years later, their unique award-winning banana pepper sauces are still crafted with care and attention to detail.
They use only fresh, vine-ripened banana and habanero peppers picked at the peak of freshness. They are then mixed with a special blend of spices (paprika, turmeric) raw sugar, distilled vinegar and mustard seeds to create a sweet and spicy sauce like no other! They have a mild, hot and habanero version of their sauce and each one is absolutely delicious, and also gluten-free and non-GMO verified.
The bold taste of Miller’s Banana Pepper Sauce is the perfect complement to everything, from cheese and hard pretzels, to burgers, BBQ, chicken and salmon. The possibilties are endless!
For this recipe contest, I decided to create a spicy twist on traditional Chicken Parmesan by using theirHot Banana Pepper Sauceto create a Buffalo-style Chicken Parmesan topped with this amazing hot sauce and some blue cheese dressing drizzles (or ranch dressing if you prefer!) to cool the heat. I’m originally from Upstate NY (Buffalo + Rochester), so as you can imagine I am absolutely obsessed with hot sauce, hot wings (and blue cheese!).
Miller’s Banana Pepper hot sauce is unique in that it has a spicy heat but also a hint of sweetness that makes the perfect combination for this Buffalo Chicken Parmesan recipe. You can also use themild or habanero sauce (depending on the heat level you want) for this recipe and it would be just as delicious!
This dish is totally delish on its own, but there are so many fun ideas you can do to switch it up for different occasions like Game Day appetizers, lunch or a simple lovely dinner… Cut the chicken cutlets in half and make Spicy Chicken Sliders on toasted hawaiian slider buns, or cut the chicken into strips and make some Spicy Buffalo Chicken Fingers served with crispy fries, carrots and celery with blue cheese or ranch dressing and extra Miller’s Hot Banana Pepper sauce for dipping, of course!
For a healthy lunch or dinner idea, slice up the spicy chicken parmesan cutlets and serve over a garden salad with ranch or blue cheese dressing, or serve it as the main entree with some creamy Gorgonzola pasta (see my recipe below) with some crusty garlic bread.
Anyway you decide to serve it I guarantee you’re going to thank me (and your tastebuds will too!)…so hold on to your hats and get ready for a serious spicy flavor explosion with my recipe for Spicy Buffalo Chicken Parmesan + Gorgonzola Pasta.
Here’s How to Make It
Step 1: Make the Chicken
Panko breadcrumbs are the key ingredient for the coating but, I mix in regular Italian breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese to the mix to give the chicken that perfect crunch along with some paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder and onion powder for a little extra flavor goodness.
Set up your dredging station with three bowls: first bowl use a fine searing flour (like Wondra) or an all-purpose flour to coat the chicken. Second bowl is for your eggs, and the third bowl is for the Panko/breadcrumb/Parmesan cheese mixture. Feel free to double coat the chicken with another layer of egg and breadcrumbs/cheese if you want a thicker crunchier coating on the Chicken Parmesan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
Step 2: Make the Buffalo Banana Pepper Sauce
Next make the sauce in a small saucepan on the stove. Add the Miller’s hot Banana Pepper sauce along with some butter. Mix with a spoon and let it melt together into a lovely silky buttery hot sauce.
Pour the sauce over the baked crunchy chicken to let the coating soak up the buttery hot sauce. Then top the chicken with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan and broil on high for a few minutes until the cheese melts and gets all bubbly and browned.
For serving, top the baked Chicken Parmesan with extra drizzles of blue cheese dressing (or ranch, if you prefer) and sprinkle the Spicy Chicken Parmesan with sliced chives for garnish. Delish!!!
Step 3: Make the Gorgonzola Pasta
First you’ll need to cook your pasta, drain and set aside for mixing in the sauce later (I used spaghetti but any pasta shape will work here!)
While your pasta is boiling, make the luscious cheesy sauce in a medium saucepan by melting the butter and sautéing the shallots (or minced onion) until soft for a couple of minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute. Pour in the milk and half and half and stir together to warm it up then add the crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, Parmesan cheese and parsley, stirring together until it gets creamy and emulsified.
Pour the sauce over the pasta in a large pot and toss together, adding the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce up into your desired consistency (it should be smooth and creamy but not too thick or thin). Top with freshly cracked black pepper, extra Parmesan cheese and some chopped parsley and serve with the Spicy Buffalo Chicken Parmesan and some crusty bread or a salad.
I hope you enjoy this fun twist on Chicken Parmesan and Buffalo Chicken! I know it’s gonna be one of my fav go-to recipes from now on..and I can’t wait to experiment with the other Miller’s hot sauces to create more delish recipes! Enjoy 🙂
Spicy Buffalo Chicken Parmesan + Gorgonzola Pasta
5 from 1 vote
A spicy twist on Chicken Parmesan - this recipe features Miller's Sweet + Spicy Banana Pepper Hot Sauce over crunchy parmesan chicken, topped with fresh mozzarella, blue cheese/ranch drizzles and chives; served over a creamy dreamy Gorgonzola pasta.
1/2cupranch or blue cheese dressing, for drizzling/serving
Gorgonzola Pasta
14ozspaghetti (or any pasta shape desired)
3tbspbutter
1shallot (or 1/2 onion), finely chopped
2clovesgarlic, minced
1 cup2% milk
1/2cuphalf and half or heavy cream
8ozGorgonzola cheese, crumbled
6tbspgrated Parmesan cheese, divided
4tbspfresh parsley, chopped, divided
1/8tspkosher salt
1/3 tspfreshly cracked black pepper, divided
Equipment
1 sauce pan for sauce
1 large pot for boiling
1 sheet pan for baking
1 wire rack
1 spatula
1 pasta spoon
1 large spoon
Method
Spicy Buffalo Chicken Parmesan
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make thin halves. Place under a piece of plastic wrap and pound with a tenderizer or heavy pan until chicken is 1/4" thick. Repeat with remaining pieces to make thin cutlets, pat dry and season both sides with salt.
Place the flour in a large shallow dish or bowl. Beat the eggs with a few drops of Miller's Banana Hot Sauce and place in another shallow bowl. Toss the Panko breadcrumbs with the Italian breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and dried oregano and place in a third bowl.
Dredge the chicken through the flour, then the eggs beaten together with hot sauce and then dredge through the breadcrumbs mixture. For a thicker coating, you can dip each piece of chicken back through the eggs and the crumbs a second time.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set a wire rack on top. Place the cutlets on top of the wire rack and bake until golden brown and crispy, about 20-25 minutes, turning over halfway through. Set aside.
While the chicken cutlets are baking, heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the Miller's Banana Pepper Sauce and butter, stirring occasionally, until the butter is melted and sauce comes together. Spoon sauce over the tops of the chicken cutlets, reserve remaining sauce for serving.
Heat the oven broiler to high and place a rack in the top third of oven. Sprinkle the chicken with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan on the same pan you baked them on.
Broil for 2-4 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling and light golden brown (watching closely so it doesn't burn).
Transfer chicken to a platter and drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing and additional Miller's Hot Banana Pepper sauce. Top the Chicken Parmesan with sliced chives. Serve the chicken with creamy Gorgonzola pasta (recipe follows) on the side, or sliced over an Italian green salad with some crusty garlic bread, if desired.
Gorgonzola Pasta
Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of salted cooking water, and set aside.
Melt the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat, and add chopped shallots or onions. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
Add the milk and half and half (or heavy cream), Gorgonzola cheese, Parmesan, parsley, salt and pepper. Stir together until the Gorgonzola thickens and melts into a creamy consistency.
Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the Gorgonzola sauce and stir together, adding in the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen up the sauce to your desired consistency. It should be thick, creamy and saucy; coating the noodles well with small chunks of the blue cheese.
Divide the pasta between serving plates. Top with additional grated Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste, and chopped parsley. Serve with Spicy Buffalo Chicken Parmesan and an Italian green salad and crusty garlic bread, if desired.
Notes
If you aren't a fan of blue cheese or Gorgonzola, you can always substitute Ranch dressing to drizzle on top of the Buffalo Chicken Parmesan, and you can simply toss the cooked pasta with some olive oil, garlic, parsley and Parmesan cheese.This dish would be delicious with or on top of a green salad with some crusty bread and glass of wine! Or use the same base recipe for the Spicy Buffalo Chicken Parmesan, cutting the chicken into smaller cutlets to make sliders or chicken sandwiches/subs. You can also cut the chicken into tenders and make spicy Chicken Fingers with a side crispy fries (with additional Miller's Banana Pepper Sauce and ranch or blue cheese dressing for serving of course!)
Also, if you make this Spicy Buffalo Chicken Parmesan and Gorgonzola Pasta, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love to hear from all my followers and always do my best to respond to each and every comment or email. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to share this post and tag me on Instagram! I love looking through the photos of recipes you all have made!
To learn more about Miller’s Banana Pepper Sauces, visit them online at https://www.eatmillers.comAND check out their social media pages below for more info and fun recipe ideas!
You can find Millers Banana Pepper sauce at Whole Foods, Wegmans and on Amazon. Use can also use Miller’s store finder to find a store carrying their products near you.
It’s been awhile since I have been writing and posting on my blog and can I just tell you I AM SO HAPPY TO BE BACK!!! So much has happened over the past three years since I moved to San Antonio, Texas and started working as a full time Food Stylist for H-E-B, the premiere grocery store chain in Texas (and in the world, if you are a true born Texan).
I am so excited to get back in to food writing and recipe development, as well as working on some new photography projects that aren’t only food related, but incorporating travel and lifestyle into the mix. So keep checking back in for The Artful Gourmet 2.0 with more great things to come!
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