Paleo Pumpkin Chili

OMG I am so happy with the turnout of this chili! Beyond perfect for fall, family dinners, and football Sundays! I have also shared a yummy GF & DF cornbread recipe to pair this with ♥ My favorite part is that it's made in the crock pot-- makes your home smell spectacular (trust me) and cooks itself while you go on with your day, what could be better?! Printable recipe below.

Ingredients:

• 2 lb ground turkey or beef (I used turkey)

• 1 C chicken bone broth (can sub another broth)

• 3/4 C pumpkin puree

• 1 C diced onion

• 1 green bell pepper, diced

• 1 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes

• 4 oz. can of diced green chilies (do not drain)

• 1 1/2 T ghee or oil (can sub butter if non paleo)

• 2 T tomato paste

• 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic

• 2 T chili powder

• 1-2 T pumpkin pie spice

• 1 T oregano

• 1 T cumin

• 1 T paprika

• 1/2 tsp cayenne (can omit if you are sensitive to spicy flavors)

• 1 tsp salt

• Dash of cinnamon

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 oz chopped unsweetened 100% chocolate

Directions:

1. Place ghee/oil in a large skillet and once melted, add in diced onions, pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 3 minutes. Add in ground turkey or beef, cook until meat is mostly done (I slightly undercooked mine and let it finish cooking in the crock pot)

2. Remove from heat and set aside while you add the remaining ingredients into the crockpot- stir well

3. Once remaining ingredients are well incorporated, add in onion, pepper, garlic, and meat mixture from skillet

4. Stir everything together, make sure meat is coated with the mixture

5. Put crock pot on high for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally. Chili should thin out as It cooks.

6. Take bay leaf out before serving, may add 1-2 T maple syrup if you prefer a "sweeter" chili (I prefer without). Then go find my Classic Cornbread – GF & DF recipe and make that to enjoy with your chili... ;)

*Instant Pot version-

1. Turn instant pot to sauté setting, then place ghee/oil in a large skillet and once melted, add in diced onions, pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 3 minutes

2. Add in ground turkey or beef, cook until meat is mostly done (I slightly undercooked mine and let it finish cooking under pressure) and turn off sauté mode

1. Mix in the remaining ingredients and cook on manual pressure for 10 minutes, quick release, and enjoy!