Bison Chili with Chickpeas and Acorn Squash

Name: Bison Chili with Chickpeas and Acorn Squash
Total time: 110 min
Yield: Serves 8 (serving size: about 1 1/2 cups chili, 1 tablespoon sour cream, and 1 tablespoon parsley)
Ingredients: 2 dried ancho chiles; 2 cups unsalted beef stock (such as Swanson); 1 (8-ounce) package fresh cremini mushrooms; Cooking spray; 1 1/2 pounds 90% lean ground bison or ground sirloin; 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided; 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided; 2 cups chopped onion; 1 cup chopped green bell pepper; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1 tablespoon unsalted tomato paste; 1 tablespoon chili powder; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; 3/4 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted; 1 (12-ounce) bottle dark Mexican beer; 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 2 cups (1/2-inch) cubed peeled acorn squash; 1 (14.5-ounce) can unsalted chickpeas, rinsed and drained; 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream; 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

14 Reviews

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Bison Chili with Chickpeas and Acorn Squash

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

Hands-on Time

40 Mins

Total Time

1 Hour 50 Mins

Yield

Serves 8 (serving size: about 1 1/2 cups chili, 1 tablespoon sour cream, and 1 tablespoon parsley)

Bison Chili with Chickpeas and Acorn Squash is a new take on the classic cold-weather, one-pot meal. Our chili is amped up with rich ground bison, that takes the place of ground beef, and chunks of sweet acorn squash.

Ingredients

2 dried ancho chiles
2 cups unsalted beef stock (such as Swanson)
1 (8-ounce) package fresh cremini mushrooms
Cooking spray
1 1/2 pounds 90% lean ground bison or ground sirloin
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
3/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
2 cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon unsalted tomato paste
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground coriander
3/4 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted
1 (12-ounce) bottle dark Mexican beer
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 cups (1/2-inch) cubed peeled acorn squash
1 (14.5-ounce) can unsalted chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

How to Make It

Step 1

Combine chiles and stock in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave at HIGH 3 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. Remove stems. Combine chile mixture and mushrooms in a blender; process until smooth.

Step 2

Heat a Dutch oven over high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add bison, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; cook 6 minutes or until browned, stirring to crumble. Remove bison from pan. Reduce heat to medium-high. Add onion and bell pepper to pan; sauté 5 minutes. Stir in garlic; sauté 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add chili powder, oregano, coriander, and cumin; sauté 30 seconds. Return bison to pan. Stir in beer; cook 3 minutes or until liquid is reduced by half. Stir in mushroom mixture and tomatoes; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat, and simmer 25 minutes. Stir in squash and chickpeas; simmer 45 minutes. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Top with sour cream and parsley.

Ratings & Reviews

kpaquette's Review

2015-02-01T08:46:25-05:00 promogal

The first time i made this, I thought it was missing something. I added more of the spices and after letting it sit for a few hours for the flavors to meld, it was delicious. I'm making it again for the Super Bowl - this time I added 3 dried chipotles to the anchos to give it a smoky spicy kick. I also added way more of the spices (didn't measure, just threw them in) and onion and garlic powder. The flavors are already amazing and it's still simmering. I garnish with red onion and diced avocado. I really like the chili/broth/mushroom step - it adds a flavorful layer and nutritious mushrooms without adding too many calories. Definitely a keeper for healthy chili.

Malenaalonzo's Review

2013-10-17T16:22:17-04:00 Bernadette1

I made this today it was delicious my family and I enjoyed it. I served it with crusty bread. Thanks for the recipe.

seaside725's Review

2013-04-26T16:21:04-04:00 ChefChelz

I thought this was a good dish. Instead of using bison, I used venison and I also couldn't find acorn squash, so I used butternut squash instead. Other then that I follow the recipe. I served it with white rice and green beans. Great meal.

Bernadette1's Review

2013-02-28T09:11:26-05:00 Malenaalonzo

I made this for dinner for my friends and my son who loves bison. It was great! Loved the addition of the squash. I thought is was easy to make and to shop for. Will definitely make again!

Shannon3222's Review

2013-02-12T04:35:16-05:00 MrsDana

N/A

promogal's Review

2013-01-30T10:32:09-05:00 DianaS

Really good. Next time I'll leave the ground bison a little more chunky. Had to use Butternut Squash instead of Acorn but it tasted great. Also I will give the mushrooms a good chopping next time & not obliterate them in the food processor.

creamcheese's Review

2013-01-28T16:23:44-05:00 HolleeM

Overall very happy with this. Great complex flavor and nice big serving for not too many calories. Shared with friends and they loved it. Made this with 1 lb bison, 1/2 lb ground beef, and substituted pumpkin for the squash. Did not have chili powder so I substituted extra oregano, added paprika, and more cayenne. Skipped the sour cream. Upon serving, added smoked chipolte peppers because it wasn't spicy enough for my tastes. Also added salt.

ChefChelz's Review

2013-01-16T07:21:34-05:00 scadywhite

N/A

MrsDana's Review

2013-01-14T07:02:46-05:00 creamcheese

When I started making this chili I thought it was going to be okay but not great. I was wrong. I thought this chili had depth to it and a complex taste that I believed was probably from the beef stock-mushroom-ancho broth. I did have to make a few tweaks to it due to not all ingredients being available in the store. Instead of bison, I used a lean ground beef. I also used white mushrooms instead of cremini and a squash medley that was pre-cut at the the store. I really enjoyed this chili and thought it was very, very delicious.

1hungeryferret's Review

2013-01-09T09:49:58-05:00 Geteb007

This was good but not awesome. It seemed to be missing something. I just noticed that its pictured with lime wedges so maybe I'll try that with the tons of leftovers! I served it with naan, which went well. Also, if I make it again, I will cut the cubes of squash smaller.

Bison Chili with Chickpeas and Acorn Squash

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Ratings & Reviews

kpaquette's Review

Malenaalonzo's Review

seaside725's Review

Bernadette1's Review

Shannon3222's Review

promogal's Review

creamcheese's Review

ChefChelz's Review

MrsDana's Review

1hungeryferret's Review

Bison Chili with Chickpeas and Acorn Squash

Ingredients

Nutritional Information

How to Make It

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