Green Chile Chicken and Butternut Squash Chili
This is a really tasty chicken butternut squash chili that is fast and easy to make. I used rotisserie chicken and canned green chile. While I prepped most of the ingredients, my husband got the chicken ready. Plus I used frozen butternut squash already cubed, so it was a simple dump and cook. It’s a healthy meal that is colorful enough that everyone will enjoy it. Truth be told - I have it for breakfast sometimes.
Creating a one pot meal is so nice because there is less clean up. Yep, I’m, more about eating than the clean up. The butternut squash gives the chicken chili great color and a sweetness that blends well with the savory and spiciness of the rest of the ingredients.
How to make this recipe for Chicken Chili with Butternut Squash and Green Chile
You can cook your own chicken it you would like. I used rotisserie chicken. Here is what you will need:
I used to think I was being this great, supportive mom by doing all the cooking and prepping myself. Who am I kidding - I was complaining in my head the entire time. And my kids need to learn the art of cooking as does my spouse.
So I often ask for help. It turns into a family time of talking about our lives. If I never asked, we would never have the enjoyable conversation and camaraderie. As a mom, I enjoy it so much I don’t know what I was thinking when I was all “Martha Stewarting” my kitchen skills. Having a family of sous chefs is the best!
Mealtime conversation starters
We have a responsibility to include people, it is why conversations matter!
Questions encourage positive change. Without question you will never know what another person has to say.
Start your next conversation with this:
Question: What trait do you and all your family members have in common?
Green Chile Chicken and Butternut Squash Chili
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Equipment
- dutch oven or heavy bottom stock pot
Ingredients
- ½ tbsp olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large onion diced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 4 oz mild green chiles (1 small can), or hatch chile
- 4 cups butternut squash cubed (frozen is great)
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups cooked chicken cubed (rotisserie chicken is great)
- 15 oz corn (1 can)
- 1½ tsp lime juice
- ½ tsp salt (or more to taste)
- pinch black pepper (or more to taste)
Instructions
- Heat oil in large dutch oven over medium high heat. Once the oil is hot, saute garlic, onion, and cilantro until the onion becomes translucent.
- Add green chile, butternut squash, cumin, and oregano. Cook for a few minutes until cumin becomes fragrant, then pour in chicken broth, cooked chicken, corn, lime juice, and salt, plus fresh ground pepper to taste.
- Bring chili to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes until chicken is warmed through.
- Adjust seasonings if necessary.
Video
Notes
Hand Size Portions
Hand Portions
When you look at the nutritional values of a meal to log what you are eating, that is called tracking macros. A lot of people use this method to reach their health goals.
Looking at hand portion size and using this method to gauge how and what you eat is also a great method to help you reach your health goals. Many people who use this method often think this form of tracking meals is easier and more sustainable for a lifetime.
Want to learn more about hand portion size and how to use it to reach your goals? Check out the article How to Get Started with Hand Portion Sizes.
Michelle Johnson Jerome is an expert on busting through perfectionism. She is passionate about helping others live life with purpose and joy. By drawing on her extensive experience as a nutrition coach, personal trainer, and yoga instructor she helps develop a realistic approach to goal setting that allows you to make progress and stop obsessing over mistakes.
Find other articles written by Michelle on her coach profile. Discover your "easy button": learn how to manage life's unpleasant parts so you can move forward, reach your goals, and live your best life.
The hand portion amounts on your recipes are very interesting.
Hi Tim, Hand portions are interesting. Are you using or thinking about using the hand portion method for yourself?