Chili with Butternut Squash

Name: Chili with Butternut Squash
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 lb ground beef, chicken, or turkey (or a combination thereof); 2 large jalapenos, finely diced; 1 bell pepper, diced (I like yellow, orange, or red for this); 1 cup green onions, chopped (green parts only); 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes; 2 1/2 cups chicken broth; 10 oz frozen diced butternut squash (you may sub fresh, but it will need to cook slightly longer); 1 1/2 tbsp chili powder; 2 1/2 tsp ground cumin; 2 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; 2 tsp dried oregano; 1/2 tsp sea salt; 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper; Optional toppings: Shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, cilantro

September 26, 2017 By Whip & Wander 50 Comments

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Cold days and a simmering pot of chili go together so well. It’s a classic stick-to-your-bones, warm your soul kind of meal. This Chili with Butternut Squash is a favorite in our house, combining everything we love about a classic meaty chili with a few tasty additions that make this dish big on flavor while remaining blissfully low-carb. This one-pan dish can be on your table in 30 minutes!

Goodbye beans, hello butternut squash

No beans? Yes, you heard me right. While this Chili with Butternut Squash contains plenty of meat, it has no beans. Swapping them instead for butternut squash, which gives the dish a creamy, nutty sweetness that perfectly balances the spice and acidity from the fragrant chili peppers and umami-rich tomatoes. I feel confident that you won’t even miss the beans!

*However, If you are adamant that your chili needs beans and they fit into your diet, go ahead and toss them in! Chili is flexible like that.

What kind of meat can I use in this chili?

I prefer to use ground beef, chicken, and/or turkey in this recipe, often doing a 50/50 split of rich grass-fed beef combined with a leaner ground chicken or turkey. If you are like me and often have a freezer full of ground meat on hand for quick weeknight meal planning, this recipe will be a great dish to keep in your back pocket for busy nights because it’s so flexible.

If you prefer to use non-ground meat, this recipe is also delightful (and super quick) with leftover brisket or shredded chicken.

Freezing and Storage

This Chili with Butternut Squash freezes beautifully for up to three months in airtight freezer-safe containers. To reheat, simply allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight then reheat on the stove or in the microwave. It also works really well for meal-prep during the week, keeping for up to 4 days when stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator (these are my favorite).

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A note for special diets

This Paleo Chili with Butternut Squash is grain-free, gluten-free, and fits Paleo, Keto, Low-FODMAP, and Whole 30 diets.

I utilize green onions (scallions) rather than traditional white or yellow onions in this recipe because I have an intolerance to traditional onions, which are high in FODMAPs. If traditional yellow and white onions are not an issue for you, you can feel free to swap them in.