Chipotle Butternut Squash Chili
A smoky chipotle butternut squash chili recipe that’s perfect for these crisp fall days! Loaded with tender butternut squash, simmered with onions and peppers, in a warm broth. Top with all your favorite chili fixings like avocados, shredded cheese, tortilla chips, and cilantro!
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive, etc.
- 1 medium red onion chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1-2 jalapeños seeded and diced
- 1 ½- 2 pound butternut squash peeled and diced
- 5-6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
- ¾ cup coffee or additional broth
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoons EACH: cocoa powder AND ground cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo minced
- 2 14-ounce cans fire roasted tomatoes
- 2 14-ounce cans black beans, drained
- 2 tablespoons cornmeal optional
Instructions
- SAUTE: heat the oil on medium heat in a 5-quart dutch oven or larger. Add onions and saute for 4-5 minutes, frequently stirring until translucent. Add the bell pepper, jalapeños, and butternut squash, and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic, and let cook for 30 seconds before adding the broth, coffee, brown sugar, cocoa cumin, paprika, chili powder, chipotle peppers, and tomatoes; stir to combine.
- SIMMER: Bring the chili to a simmer, cover with a lid, lower the heat to low, and cook for 25-30 minutes. Taste the chili and season with additional chili powder, salt, and chipotle peppers as desired. Add the drained black beans and allow the chili to cook for another 20-30 minutes uncovered until the squash is fork tender. To make the chili thicker, I like to stir in 1 tablespoon of cornmeal and let simmer for another 5-7 minutes to thicken. Add the second tablespoon if the chili is still thin for your liking.
- SERVE: Serve the chili in bowls, topped with tortilla chips, sour cream, grated cheese, diced avocados, and chopped cilantro with lime wedges!
Notes
- Jalapeno peppers are optional, you can replace them with diced bell peppers for a more mild chili.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are sold in the international food aisle.
