Get ready to transform your dinner routine with a chili recipe that's not just a meal, but an extraordinary flavor expedition! This Bison and Butternut Cocoa Chili is where wild game meets comfort food, creating a dish that's both sophisticated and soul-warming. Imagine a rich, complex chili that combines the lean, robust taste of bison with the sweet, velvety texture of butternut squash, all elevated by a surprising twist of cocoa powder that will make your taste buds dance with excitement.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground bison
- 1 butternut squash, peeled and diced
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by dicing the butternut squash into uniform 1/2-inch cubes, finely chopping the onion, and mincing the garlic cloves.
- Heat a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground bison and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until the meat is browned and no longer pink, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Add the chopped onions to the browned bison and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onions become translucent and slightly softened.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Sprinkle the cocoa powder and chili powder over the meat mixture, stirring to coat evenly and toast the spices for about 1 minute to enhance their flavors.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice and add the drained black beans, stirring to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Add the diced butternut squash to the pot, mixing gently to distribute evenly throughout the chili.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, then reduce heat to low and cover the pot.
- Simmer the chili for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the butternut squash is tender and the flavors have melded together.
- Check the seasoning and adjust with additional salt and pepper if needed before serving.
- Serve hot in deep bowls, optionally garnished with fresh herbs, a dollop of sour cream, or shredded cheese if desired.
Tips
- Choose high-quality ground bison for the best flavor - look for grass-fed if possible for a more intense taste profile.
- Take time to properly brown the bison - this develops deep, rich flavors that are crucial to the chili's success.
- Toast your spices (cocoa and chili powder) for about a minute before adding liquids to enhance their aromatic qualities.
- Cut butternut squash into uniform cubes to ensure even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the chili.
- Don't rush the simmering process - the long, slow cook allows flavors to meld and the squash to become perfectly tender.
- For extra depth, consider adding a small amount of dark chocolate or a splash of coffee to intensify the cocoa notes.
- If the chili becomes too thick during cooking, add a little beef broth or water to maintain desired consistency.
- Let the chili rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to fully develop before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 75mg
