My Butternut Squash and Turkey Chili takes traditional chili and kicks it up a notch with flavor and nutrition. It’s the perfect game day dish!
There’s something so comforting about curling up with a piping hot bowl of chili on a cold day. Whether you’re making dinner for the family or feeding a crowd on Super Bowl Sunday, a hearty bowl of chili is always sure to be a hit!
My recipe uses lean ground turkey, butternut squash, and protein-packed black beans, which are simmered together in a smoky sauce with a bit of heat. I love using butternut squash in this dish because its natural sweetness nicely complements the spices in the chili. Plus, it’s packed with nutrients, especially Vitamin A. One cup of cooked squash has 457% of the recommended daily allowance!
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I use chipotles in adobo in my chili because I love their amazing flavor. Chipotles are canned, smoked jalapeño peppers and they add a delicious smoky heat to dishes. I would recommend buying a can for this recipe but if you don’t have them, you can substitute chili powder.
If you’re serving this dish for a crowd, I would suggest setting out a whole bunch of toppings so that everyone can top their chili with their favorite ingredients. Some of my favorite toppings are Greek yogurt, shredded cheese, diced avocado, diced tomatoes, cilantro leaves and sliced scallions. This time, I topped my bowl with avocado and my new favorite cheese, Cabot Alpine Legacy Collection Cheddar Cheese. A cheddar cheese with hints of Swiss and Parmesan, it has a nutty flavor and creamy texture that melts perfectly on a piping hot bowl of chili. Happy eating!
Looking for more game day recipes? Check out my Super Bowl Recipe Round Up.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 red bell pepper seeded and chopped (about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 lb. lean ground turkey
- Salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon chipotles in adobo, seeded and chopped*
- 1 teaspoon adobo sauce (from the can of chipotles)
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin (increase to 2)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice (optional)
- 1 medium butternut squash peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 4 ½ cups, 20 oz)
- 2 (15 oz) cans low sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced fire roasted tomatoes
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped plus extra for garnish
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese (I used Cabot Alpine Legacy Collection Cheddar Cheese) Greek yogurt or sour cream, diced avocado, diced tomato, sliced scallions
- Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or wide-based pot over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook 4-5 minutes until partially softened. Add the garlic and cook another minute until fragrant. Stir in the ground turkey and cook, breaking it into pieces. Season the mixture with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Stir in the chipotles, adobo sauce, cumin, oregano, and allspice. Add the butternut squash, beans, tomatoes, broth, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook 15 minutes, then uncover and cook another 15 minutes or until chili is thickened and squash is cooked through. Stir in the cilantro.
- Garnish chili with cilantro. Serve with any desired toppings.
Chipotles in adobo are canned, smoked jalapeño peppers and add a delicious smoky heat to dishes. If you don’t have them, you can substitute chili powder.
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Sounds so comforting and perfect for enjoying during Super Bowl commercials 🙂
we love anything with butternut squash. Healthy, simple to prepare and tasty. Thanks.
This looks absolutely delicious Sonali! I love butternut squash in chili and the avocado on top is the perfect way to finish it off!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious recently posted…By: Recipe ReDux: A Whole New Grain – Nutritioulicious
LOOOOOOOVE butternut squash in soup! this looks delish
Rebecca recently posted…If You Think You’re Going to be Happy with your Body After you Lose Weight, You’re Wrong
Wow! This looks delicious!
I LOVE the chili that has butternut squash or sweet potato in it! So much flavor, color, and so filling!
Mmmm this looks so yummy!
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Your chili looks scrumptious! Love the butternut squash and Cabot Alpine Cheddar Cheese!
I’ve never added butternut squash to chili before but now I really, really need to try it! Yum!
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I’ll have my with avocado and cheese, too! Looks fabulous! 🙂
I love a good bowl of chili, and I know this one would make me happy. I agree on chipotles being a great part of a chili recipe.
I don’t know why I’ve never put butternut squash in chili but that’s a genius idea and will probably be next week’s meals after I finish all the free food I managed to score on Friday! ;P! This looks amazing! <3
Hello Sonali, I just discovered your lovely site and made this chili tonight. It was delicious! I saw allspice in the instructions, but not in the ingredient list. I added 1/4 tsp., but it could stand more. How much did you have in mind? Thank you for this wonderful resource.
Thanks for catching that! So glad you liked the dish! I edited the ingredients to include 1/4 teaspoon allspice, which is what I use, but you can use 1/2 teaspoon if you’d like a stronger flavor.