Lean Ground Chicken Chili Batch
A heart-healthy, high-protein chili prepped with lean ground chicken, pinto beans, and green chilis. Packed with comforting spice and fiber, ideal for easy weekday meal prep.
Prep
10 min
Cook
35 min
Total
45 min
Makes
8 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Leslie + Lila
Leslie created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthComfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
35 min
Total
45 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven · Large pot · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
Prep the vegetables and measure pantry ingredients earlier in the day to shorten cook time.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 9 steps complete
Next: Heat a large 6-quart (5
- 01
Heat a large 6-quart (5
Heat a large 6-quart (5.7L) stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat on your stovetop.
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Add the lean ground chicken to the…
Add the lean ground chicken to the pot. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until no pink color remains and the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Look for: no pink color remains and the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)
Tap card to mark done - 03
Finely dice the green bell pepper on…
Finely dice the green bell pepper on a cutting board.
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Add the diced green bell pepper
Add the diced green bell pepper, chili starter sauce, canned green chilis, diced tomatoes (with their juices), and drained pinto beans to the pot with the cooked chicken.
Tap card to mark done - 05
Stir in the chili powder
Stir in the chili powder, salt, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
Look for: well combined
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Bring the mixture to a boil over…
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then immediately turn the heat down to low to maintain a gentle simmer.
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Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid…
Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 25 minutes to allow the spices to meld.
Allow: 25 minutes
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Remove the lid and stir thoroughly
Remove the lid and stir thoroughly, adjusting heat if needed so the chili thickens slightly while remaining moist.
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Ladle one portion into a bowl to…
Ladle one portion into a bowl to serve hot, and allow the remaining chili to cool for 20 minutes before portioning into airtight storage containers for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Allow: 20 minutes
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