Pumpkin Chicken Chili
4
servings30
minutes40
minutesIt’s chili season and Halloween week which is the perfect time to make this healthy and hearty Pumpkin Chili. Check out our secret ingredient…cocoa powder! When mixed with chili powder, cocoa powder adds richness and deepens the flavor. Plus it adds health benefits!
Ingredients
1 lb. of shredded cooked chicken *
2 Tbsp. of olive oil
1 poblano pepper, diced
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups of chicken broth (add more if chili gets too thick)
1 cup of beer **
3 Tbsp. of chili powder
1 Tbsp. of cumin
1 Tbsp. of kosher salt
Two 15 ounce cans of fire roasted diced tomatoes
2 Tbsp. of tomato paste
1 Tbsp. of cocoa powder (Hershey brand works best)
One 15 ounce can of pureed pumpkin
One 15 ounce can of northern white beans, drained
Optional toppings: shredded cheese, chopped chives, sour cream, roasted pumpkin seeds (Trader Joe’s)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add salt and pepper to chicken. Cover loosely with foil and roast for 35 minutes. Shred when cooled.
- Heat oil in large pot and sauté peppers and onion until soft, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and saute for additional 2 minutes.
- Add chicken broth, beer, chili powder, cumin, salt, diced tomatoes, tomato paste and cocoa powder. Stir and bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for additional 15 minutes.
- Serve warm with optional toppings.
Tips, Nutritional Value and Serving Suggestions (Source: Healthline and Joy Bauer)
- 1. *You can substitute with rotisserie chicken.
- 2. ** If concerned, the majority of alcohol will evaporate when cooking.
- 3. Serve with corn bread!
- 4. Pumpkin has some very impressive nutritional benefits, including Vitamins A and C, which can boost your immune system. Pumpkin also contains carotenoids which are linked to lowering risks of some types of cancers. They also contain beta-carotene which acts as a natural sunblock. Plus, pumpkin is low in calories.
- 5. Cocoa powder is the purest form of chocolate and contains a high amount of flavonoids, which is the healthy part of chocolate! So not only is cocoa powder delicious it has health benefits for you as well.
