Description
Hearty chicken chili with pumpkin brings warmth to autumn dinner tables with robust Mexican-inspired flavors. Spicy, comforting ingredients blend seamlessly, providing a perfect meal you’ll savor through crisp seasonal evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) ground chicken
- 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth
- 1 (14 oz/400 g) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (14 oz/400 g) can white beans, drained
- ½ small pumpkin (Hokkaido or red kuri squash), seeded and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- Chipotle pepper flakes, to taste
- ½ cup (120 ml) cream (20% fat)
Instructions
- Preparation: Uniformly dice pumpkin into 1/2-inch cubes. Finely mince garlic and chop onion, celery, and carrots into consistent small pieces.
- Sautéing Base: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium temperature. Add pumpkin cubes, caramelizing edges until golden brown for 4-5 minutes.
- Aromatic Development: Introduce minced garlic, onion, celery, and carrots. Stir and cook until vegetables release their fragrant essence, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Spice Infusion: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, chipotle pepper flakes, and cumin. Thoroughly blend spices with vegetables.
- Protein Integration: Add ground chicken, crumbling into small pieces. Cook until meat transforms to a rich golden color and loses pink hue, roughly 6-7 minutes.
- Liquid Composition: Pour chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, and drained white beans. Gently combine ingredients, ensuring comprehensive integration.
- Simmering Process: Bring mixture to a robust boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 25-35 minutes, stirring periodically until liquid condenses and texture thickens.
- Finishing Touch: Incorporate cream during final cooking moments, creating a luxurious, silky consistency. Adjust seasoning with additional salt if required.
- Serving: Transfer chili into warm bowls. Embellish with desired garnishes and serve immediately while steaming hot.
Notes
- Precision Cubing: Cut pumpkin and vegetables into uniform 1/2-inch pieces to ensure consistent cooking and texture throughout the chili.
- Aromatics Awakening: Sauté vegetables slowly to release their natural sugars and develop a deep, rich flavor foundation for the dish.
- Spice Distribution Technique: Mix spices thoroughly before adding meat to create an even, balanced flavor profile in every bite.
- Simmering Secret: Allow chili to simmer covered on low heat, stirring occasionally to develop depth and let flavors meld perfectly while preventing burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg