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Healthy Chili Recipe

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If you’ve never tried cooking with ground bison, this healthy chili recipe will have you using it on a regular basis! Ground bison is low in saturated fat and high in nutrients and along with extra veggies like butternut squash, carrots and pumpkin make this a rich and delicious healthy chili for lunch or dinner!white bowl full of healthy chili topped with chips, cheese and sour cream

If you check out my recipes on a regular basis, or especially if you follow me on Instagram, it will come as no secret to you that I love chili.  Pretty much every week, year round, whether it’s hot or cold, summer or winter, I make chili. It’s easy, can be make a million different way, and is perfect for leftovers.  Bison is more flavorful than beef and also has less saturated fats and more nutrients, so it’s the perfect addition to chili and the reason I decided to use it when I decide to make a healthy chili recipe for fall!

package of ground bison to use for healthy chili

Because I didn’t want an overpowering onion flavor for this chili I decided to use shallot instead.  Shallots are in the onion family but have a milder flavor.

2 shallots and a head of garlic

What ingredients make this a healthy chili recipe?

  • I already mentioned the bison, which add protein and vitamins
  • canned pumpkin – packed with vitamin A.  Bonus is that it helps thicken the chili and you can’t really taste it
  • butternut squash – tons of good stuff, including vitamins C and E (use frozen for easiest and best results)
  • shallots – contain flavonoids and all kinds of other healthy stuff
  • tomatoes – fiber, vitamins, folate and antioxidants
  • carrots – more vitamin A plus K and potassium

And, well you get the idea.  We are packing this with as much nutrition as we can.  Feel free to customize with whatever veggies, squash, onions, etc. you like.

packaged bone broth for healthy chili recipe

Next up, bone broth vs. plain chicken broth for added protein.  If you can’t find it, regular broth is fine.  I found this at Walmart.

carrots in a mini chopped ready to add to chili recipe

For carrots (or other veggies) that you want to blend into the chili, I love using my mini chopper to get a fine chop on them in less than 10 seconds.

healthy chili recipe in a red cast iron dutch oven

Healthy Chili Recipe

white bowl full of healthy chili topped with chips, cheese and sour cream
If you've never tried cooking with ground bison, this healthy chili recipe will have you using it on a regular basis! Ground bison is low in saturated fat and high in nutrients and along with extra veggies like butternut squash, carrots and pumpkin make this a rich and delicious healthy chili for lunch or dinner!
Jennifer Draper
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Serving Size 8 1 cup servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground bison
  • 1/2 cup finely diced carrots
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 shallot diced
  • 2 tablespoons ancho chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin
  • 12 oz frozen cubed butternut squash
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken bone broth

Instructions

  • Using large dutch oven heat oil and then add ground bison, breaking apart and browning
  • Once meat is about halfway cooked add carrot, garlic and shallot and saute for 2-3 minutes
  • Add seasonings and stir into meat
  • Add tomatoes, pumpkin, butternut squash and broth
  • Simmer for 20 minutes or until veggies are softened

Notes

This chili is quite spicy.  If you don't care for spice, simply omit the chipotle chili powder.
If you've never tried cooking with ground bison, this healthy chili recipe will have you using it on a regular basis! Ground bison is low in saturated fat and high in nutrientsand along with extra veggies like butternut squash, carrots and pumpkin make this a rich and delicious healthy chili for lunch or dinner! #garnishedplate #chili #bison #groundbison #healthy #healthyrecipe

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10 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I have never cooked with bison before, but I am excited to give it a try. I like the idea of lightening up a traditional chili recipe.

  2. Ah comfort food, this makes me really want cooler temperatures! I’m definitely keeping this recipe in mind!

  3. Sounds like a very hearty dish! Love the ingredients you used. This would be perfect for fall, good for a chilly evening. Plus I bet it freezes well. Thanks for sharing.

  4. I have tried a few different chili recipes and I really prefer the healthy ones! I ike the sweetness of pumpkin in the chili. I will have to try bison.

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