4×4 Veggie Chili Recipe

Unfortunately I can’t claim I love vegetables, except artichokes.   So I’m always looking for ways to dress them up a bit.  The best part about this chili (besides its name…thank you very much!) is that it’s a great way to eat a load of veggies without eating a big boring pile of broccoli.  This chili is simple, although God forbid, it does require some chopping time, but next to celery  zucchini is the easiest veggie to chop.

4×4 Veggie Chili with Chicken or Beans

1 tbs olive oil
4 Green Onions – thinly sliced
4 Zucchini – chopped
4 Yellow Squash – chopped
4 Large Tomatoes – chopped
2 Garlic Cloves – minced 
8 oz of canned tomato sauce
1-2 tbs chili powder depending on your taste (I use one hoping that my kids will eat it but they don’t even like PBJ.)
1 tsp of cumim
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp sea salt 
2 cups of white beans or 4 chicken breasts (chopped) depending on your dietary needs or tastes.* 
1 diced avocado – optional but HIGHLY recommended 

Warm the olive oil over medium heat in a large deep saute pan.  (I’m sure there is a proper name for these sorts of pans Ijust don’t know it) Add the onions, zucchini, squash, and garlic.  Cook for about 3-4 minutes until squash starts to soften.  Then add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or if you are using chicken until the chicken is cooked through.  Top with fresh avocado.

Makes 4 large servings.  Made with chicken approximately 239 calories, 31 g protein, 16g carb,  5 g fat  (1/4 of an avocado adds about 35 calories and 3 g fat.)
Made with white beans 239 cal, 12 g protein, 40 g carbs, 4 g fat .

*I am using chicken right now to up my daily protein intake.  I’ve made this with beans too and it tastes really good.  I was eating too fast and forgot to take a picture.  I’ll add one next time I cook it up.

I hope you are all having a lovely Wednesday!  

Huge XOXOs
j

Tags: clean eating, Recipes, weight loss

About jennincat

I'm so happy you stopped by my little corner of the web where I write about fitness, food, and amazing women I "meet". I live in California with my wonderful husband and two rambunctious boys. I'm a personal trainer and dreamer. I enjoy most things but some of my favorites are reading, acting, camping, cooking, music, writing, traveling, and being in the moment with my favorite people! You can read more about me here! I hope you stop by often!

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