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Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili

This Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili is a hearty and satisfying dish that combines wholesome ingredients with spices for a delightful kick, perfect for chilly evenings.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time6 hours
Total Time6 hours 15 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Easy
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree
  • 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons chili base (such as Better Than Bouillon)
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • Kosher salt & freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • Garnish: Freshly chopped cilantro or parsley, diced green onions, & shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics - Start by heating the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and cook for 3-5 minutes until it becomes translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
  • Step 2: Brown the Chicken - Add the ground chicken to the skillet and cook until it’s no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks. This step adds depth to the flavor. Once cooked, drain any excess fat if necessary.
  • Step 3: Combine the Ingredients in the Slow Cooker - Transfer the cooked chicken and onion mixture to your slow cooker. Now, add in the black beans, pumpkin puree, diced tomatoes (with their juices), chicken broth, and chili base. Stir in the ground cumin, dried oregano, parsley, kosher salt, and black pepper.
  • Step 4: Cook - Cover the slow cooker and set it on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The longer it cooks, the more the flavors will meld together.
  • Step 5: Taste and Adjust - Once it’s done cooking, taste the chili and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if desired.
  • Step 6: Serve and Garnish - Ladle the chili into bowls and garnish generously with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley, diced green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese if you like.

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Skillet

Notes

For a spicy kick, add some chopped jalapeños or a teaspoon of cayenne pepper in the slow cooker. If you prefer a thicker chili, reduce the amount of chicken broth or use less liquid when adding your canned tomatoes.