Butternut Squash Chicken Chili {Paleo, Whole30}

This hearty and super tasty butternut squash chicken chili is fast and easy plus packed with flavor, protein and veggies.  It’s a healthy one pot paleo meal you’ll enjoy during the cold months that the whole family will love!  It’s Whole30 compliant, dairy free and paleo.

If you’re a fan of my slow cooker white chicken chili with white sweet potatoes, this new butternut squash chicken chili is going to become a new favorite!

It’s fast (as far as chilis go!) and super easy, made in one pot on the stove and that’s it!  The butternut squash gives the chili a delicious sweetness and the sweet/savory/spice flavor combination is incredible!

This chili is also very low in carbs, Whole30 compliant, and can be served with lots of different garnishes to suit anyone’s taste.  It’s a great recipe to make on a Sunday to have the leftovers all week for lunch!

What You Need to Make Butternut Squash Chicken Chili

This recipe uses cooked and shredded chicken breasts, but you can absolutely use any leftover chicken you have, or purchase an already-cooked rotisserie chicken.

If you’re doing the Whole30 and not cooking the chicken yourself, make sure you check out the ingredients before purchasing.

Here’s what you’ll need to prepare the chili:

• boneless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• ghee or avocado oil
• medium butternut squash, cut into 3/4” cubes
• Sea salt and black pepper
• yellow onion, diced
• garlic, minced
• red bell pepper, diced
• green bell pepper, diced
• fresh jalapeños
• ground cumin
• dried oregano
• chili powder
• chipotle chili powder
• diced green chiles
• chicken bone broth
• fresh cilantro
• fresh lime juice
• nutritional yeast – optional
• Garnish:  “sour cream” coconut cream (see below**) avocado slices, more cilantro

How to Make Butternut Squash Chicken Chili

If your chicken needs to be cooked and shredded, do this first* and set aside (see the recipe notes for my method!)  Prepare all ingredients before beginning.

Heat a large dutch oven over medium heat and add the ghee or oil.  Add the butternut squash and sprinkle all over with sea salt and pepper.  Sauté, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes, until just beginning to brown and soften.  

Add in the diced onion and sauté for about a minute until translucent. Then, add in the garlic, peppers, jalapeño and spices, stir and sauté for 3 minutes, until fragrant and softened.

Add in the green chilis, and broth, stir and bring to a boil.  Stir in the shredded chicken, nutritional yeast cilantro and lime juice and allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper as desired. 

My Favorite Garnishes for Butternut Squash Chicken Chili

I love serving this chili with coconut “sour cream” (see below for how to prepare.) This is the only sour cream I know of that’s Whole30 compliant and it adds wonderful flavor and creaminess to the chili!

You also can’t go wrong with sliced avocado – and you can also make a super simple guacamole for even more flavor!

After the sour cream and avocado, additional cilantro is great and sliced jalapeño is perfect if you want things extra spicy.  You can also try serving the chili over sautéed cauliflower rice for extra veggies and flavor.

How to Make Whole30 Compliant Sour Cream

To make Whole30 compliant sour cream with coconut cream, mix 1/2 cup of thick, cold coconut cream with 2 tsp lemon or lime juice and 1/8 tsp fine sea salt.

If you don’t have access to coconut CREAM but you have a can of full fat coconut milk, simply chill the can overnight and just use the thick part of the separated milk.

I like to use the 365 brand (Whole Foods) of coconut cream for this as it’s very thick and creamy and blends well.  Feel free to adjust the salt and lemon to taste.

I hope you’re ready for a delicious meal that’s bound to become a go-to during the colder months!  Grab your favorite soup pot and start chopping your ingredients – let’s go!

Butternut Squash Chicken Chili {Paleo, Whole30}

Butternut Squash Chicken Chili {Paleo, Whole30}

This hearty and super tasty butternut squash chicken chili is fast and easy plus packed with flavor, protein and veggies. It’s a healthy one pot paleo meal you’ll enjoy during the cold months that the whole family will love! It’s Whole30 compliant, dairy free and paleo.

Author: Michele Rosen

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 8 servings

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4.4 from 53 votes

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked and shredded*
• 2 Tbsp ghee or avocado oil
• 1 medium butternut squash cut into 3/4” cubes (about 4 cups)
• Sea salt and black pepper
• 1 small yellow onion diced
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 1 green bell pepper diced
• 2 Tbsp fresh jalapeños finely chopped
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• 3/4 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp chipotle chili powder
• 4 oz can diced green chiles
• 3 cups chicken bone broth
• 1 tbsp fresh minced cilantro
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast optional
• Sea salt and black pepper to taste
• Garnish: “sour cream” coconut cream see notes** avocado slices, cilantro

Instructions

1. If your chicken needs to be cooked and shredded, do this first* and set aside. Prepare all ingredients before beginning.
2. Heat a large dutch oven over medium heat and add the ghee or oil. Add the butternut squash and sprinkle all over with sea salt and pepper. Sauté, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes, until just beginning to brown and soften.

3. Add in the diced onion and sauté for about a minute until translucent. Then, add in the garlic, peppers, jalapeño and spices, stir and sauté for 3 minutes, until fragrant and softened.

4. Add in the green chilis, and broth , stir and bring to a boil. Stir in the shredded chicken, nutritional yeast cilantro and lime juice and allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper as desired. Serve with coconut “sour cream” (see notes) sliced avocado, additional cilantro and sliced jalapeño if desired. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Notes:

*if you don’t already have cooked chicken, season your chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until cooked through, then shred before using. You can also use a rotisserie chicken, just check ingredients for Whole30 compliance if needed.

** To make Whole30 compliant sour cream with coconut cream, mix 1/2 cup of thick, cold coconut cream with 2 tsp lemon or lime juice and 1/8 tsp fine sea salt. I like to use the 365 brand (Whole Foods) for this as it’s very thick and creamy. Feel free to adjust the salt and lemon to taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 210kcal

Carbohydrates: 16g

Protein: 24g

Fat: 6g

Saturated Fat: 3g

Cholesterol: 64mg

Sodium: 144mg

Potassium: 794mg

Fiber: 3g

Sugar: 4g

Vitamin A: 10609IU

Vitamin C: 55mg

Calcium: 67mg

Iron: 2mg

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Want More Whole30 Soup and Chili Recipes?  Try One of These!

Instant Pot Beef and Bacon Chili

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Zuppa Toscana

Stuffed Pepper Soup 

Chicken and “Rice” Soup

Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

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