Whitney E. RD

Dinner  |  Gluten Free  |  Holiday Recipes  |  Lunch  |  Sides  |  thanksgiving

Sweet Potato Turkey Chili & Paleo Cornbread Muffins

 |  By: Whitney E. RD

turkey-chili-paleo-muffins

Want to get a little crazy this Thanksgiving? A little risky? Shake things up with your elderly relatives?

Then you should whip up a batch of my Sweet Potato Turkey Chili!

chili-with-cilantro

Roasted turkeys are for the birds. All the cool kids are serving up Thanksgiving-inspired twists on traditional carved turkey.

OK fine, I made that all up. Most people are still eating normal turkey on Turkey Day. But if you don’t use this recipe tomorrow, you could make it on Friday with your leftovers.

I used my crock pot for the very first time this week to create this masterpiece.

Yes, I’m calling it a masterpiece.

I’m not going to lie, I’ve eaten it for my past five meals (even a bite with breakfast — eek), and I’m still not sick of it. The BF said it might be his favorite recipe of mine yet. He says that often though and I’m starting to get suspicious.

chow-chili(This guy wanted in too)

I’ve hesitated to use this crock pot for a while, assuming it would be more trouble than it was worth. I was relieved and pleasantly surprised though at what an amazing time saver this thing is.

I’m clearly way behind the times. About 40 years behind.

Well, better late than never. This chili is hearty, delicious, and naturally, healthy.

Sweet Potato White Bean Turkey Chili

chili-up-close

Ingredients:

1 lb. 99% Lean Ground Turkey (or use carved turkey from leftovers)

1 Sweet Potato, cubed

15 oz can Northern or Navy Beans, rinsed

15 oz. can Pumpkin

2 1/2 C. Low Sodium Chicken Stock

1 Medium Yellow Onion, diced

3 Garlic Cloves, minced

1 T. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

4 oz. can Green Chilies

1 T. Cumin

1 T. Cocoa Powder

1 T. Oregano

1 T. Smoked Paprika

1 tsp. Chili Powder

1 tsp. Cinnamon

Salt & Pepper

Cilantro (optional, as garnish)

Fat Free Greek Yogurt (optional, as topping)

***If you’re missing any of these ingredients, simply sub with other things you have or leave stuff out. I came up with this recipe after reading about 5 different chili recipes and basically just threw together the elements I liked. That’s the great thing about chili. It’s pretty hard to mess up!***

Directions:

onions

1. Saute onion and garlic with the olive oil for 3-5 minutes or until browned. Add to crock pot.

turkey

2. Season the turkey with cumin and oregano. Cook in the same pan for about 5 minutes, until browned, but still slightly pink. Add to crock pot.

mix

3. Add all remaining items to the crock pot. Stir.

crock-pot-2

4. Set the pot on high and cook for about 4 hours, checking every so often and giving it a stir.

5. You’ll know it’s done when the sweet potatoes are of a “melt in your mouth” consistency.

accorn

6. If using “squash bowls,” cut acorn squash in half and remove seeds and string. Cut the bottom tip off so that the bowl will sit nicely.

chili-with-toppings

7. Pour chili into squash bowls. Top with cilantro and serve with cheese and/or Greek yogurt.

chili-plate

8. Enjoy!

This serves 6-8.

Total Calories: about 185 (1/8 of recipe), or 247 for a humongous heaping bowl (1/6 of recipe).

I served my chili with leftovers from Monday’s Sweet & Savory Thanksgiving Veggies and some Paleo Cornbread that I found on the blog Sweet and Free.

While they didn’t taste much like real cornbread (probably because there isn’t any corn in them), they were very good. If you’re a Paleo eater and/or you like the taste of Almond Flour, I would definitely recommend this recipe.

Paleo “Cornbread” Muffins

paleo-cornbread

Ingredients:

1 C. Almond Flour

1 tsp. Baking Powder

1/4 C. Almond Butter, melted

2 T. Coconut Oil, melted

3 Eggs

2 T. Honey

1/2 T. Vanilla

1 tsp. Stevia (optional)

Directions:

1. Set oven for 350.

2. Mix all the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another.

3. Mix the two bowls together. Pour into muffin tray sprayed with coconut oil.

4. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

5 Enjoy!

paleo-cornbread-2

Total Calories: about 167 calories each (makes 10).

But that’s not all…

If you used an Acorn Squash as a bowl, you can re-use it for dessert.

baked-acorn

Simply rinse out your “bowl,” place it inside a microwave safe dish, cover, and microwave on high for 8 minutes. Top with cinnamon, stevia (or sugar), and honey.

Enjoy!

 Weigh In: Does your family ever eat nontraditional things on Thanksgiving? Do you think corn-less “cornbread” is somehow sacrilegious? What are you most thankful for this year?

- Whitney
IF YOU’RE INSPIRED BY THIS POST MAKE SURE TO SNAP A PIC AND TAG #WHITSKITCH - I'D LOVE TO SEE!
Share this post

Comments

  1. GiGi Eats Celebrities says:

    I was going to ask if you cooked that acorn squash prior to putting your chili in it! I love the cute bowl, however I would have to find me a MONSTER acorn squash so I could LOAD UP my “bowl” with that delicious chili! I wish I could come over today to eat some leftovers with you……. If there are any? LOL!

    And uh… I AM LOVING how ARTSY you are getting with the honey and the plating of those “corn” bread muffins!!!! What What! ;)

    Reply

  3. zozo says:

    Awesome idea for post-Thanksgiving bird. Of course, I love sweet potato and this chili seems like a lighter alternative to the usual heavy on bean, bbq-y types. Also, really need to get my hands on some almond flour to experiment with. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

    • Whitney English says:

      I just tried baking with almond flour recently and I love it! It has such a hearty, nutty taste. Definitely recommend!

      Reply

  4. Kierston @candyfit says:

    That bowl of chili looks amazing….not only in looks but in flavour too ;)

    The very first time I tried Chili, let alone make it was a couple years ago. My BF loves chili, so I made a batch for him. I’ve made it a few times since…I guess it was good hehe

    Reply

    • Whitney English says:

      Thanks! That’s what I love about it. It looks impressive and possibly time-consuming but it’s really SO easy! Happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply

  11. Felicia says:

    I’m excited to try this tomorrow morning. I have an entire smoked turkey in the fridge and plan to use that meat. Should I put it in the crock pot the last hour or so since it’s already cooked? Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply

    • Whitney English says:

      I haven’t tried it that way but I bet you could put it in with all the stuff like normal since in this version the ground turkey is almost all cooked anyway when I put in the the pot. The longer it’s in there, the longer it can absorb all the flavor. You could also set it on low and cook it for 8 hours if you really want to make sure not to dry out the turkey. Let me know how it goes!

      Reply

  14. Miss Polkadot says:

    Chili in a pumpkin ‘bowl’, (un)cornbread muffins :) and roasted vegetables?! I’m so impressed by your whole spread! It might not be vegan but still looks really good!
    We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving over here but if we talked Christmas instead than my family sticks with the classics most of the time. I wouldn’t mind breaking with traditions, though, as long as I still get my fair share of my grandma’s ‘Rotkohl’ [red cabbage prepared a traditional German way adding apples and certain spices].

    Reply

  16. web page says:

    May I simply just say what a comfort to uncover someone that really knows what they’re talking about online.
    You certainly know how to bring an issue to light and make it important.
    A lot more people really need to check this out and understand this side of the story.
    I can’t believe you aren’t more popular because you definitely have the gift.

    Reply

  21. silahkan baca selengkapnya says:

    What i don’t realize is in reality how you’re no longer actually much more smartly-favored than you might be right now.
    You’re very intelligent. You know thus considerably relating
    to this subject, produced me for my part consider it from so many numerous angles.

    Its like women and men are not involved except it is something to do with Girl gaga!
    Your own stuffs nice. At all times care for it up!

    Reply

  22. silahkan kunjungi website says:

    I used to be recommended this blog by means of my cousin. I
    am no longer positive whether or not this put up is written through him as no
    one else understand such targeted approximately my trouble.
    You’re amazing! Thank you!

    Reply

Trackbacks

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Eat, Examine, Energize, Enjoy

My Daily Experiments

© COPYRIGHT WHITNEY E. RD | DESIGN BY KC + DEV BY MTT