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Butternut Squash Chicken Chili

Butternut Squash Chicken Chili
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Butternut Squash Chicken Chili is a hearty, comforting one-pot meal perfect for chilly days, combining tender chicken, naturally sweet butternut squash, and aromatic spices in a warm, savory, yet subtly sweet chili that is easy to prepare and nourishing.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt

Spices

  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

Garnishes (Optional)

  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Avocado slices

Instructions

  1. Prep Your Ingredients: Start by peeling and cubing the butternut squash, dicing the onion, and mincing garlic. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly and soak up the flavors.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent, about 3 minutes, building the foundation of flavor.
  3. Brown the Chicken: Increase the heat slightly to brown the chicken pieces lightly. This step locks in juicy flavor and adds a bit of texture to the chili.
  4. Add Squash and Spices: Stir in the cubed butternut squash along with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and salt. Mix well to coat every bite of squash and chicken with those lovely spices.
  5. Pour in Liquids and Simmer: Add diced tomatoes and chicken broth to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer gently for 25–30 minutes until the squash is tender and flavors meld beautifully.
  6. Finish with Fresh Herbs: Just before serving, stir in chopped fresh cilantro for a punch of brightness that cuts through the richness of the chili.

Notes

  • Use fresh spices for more intense flavor and aroma.
  • Do not overcook the squash to keep cubes intact for good texture and appearance.
  • Adjust broth quantity to preference: add more for soupier chili or less for thicker stew.
  • Brown the chicken well to enhance flavor through caramelization.
  • Let the chili rest a few minutes off the heat before serving to allow flavors to develop fully.

Nutrition

Keywords: butternut squash, chicken chili, one-pot meal, comforting dinner, healthy chili, autumn recipes, easy dinner

Find it online: https://jamescookes.com/butternut-squash-chicken-chili/