Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Recipe

Introduction

When it comes to comfort food, chili is always at the top of the list. It’s hearty, satisfying, and perfect for a cold day or a cozy evening with friends and family. If you’re looking for an easy, hands-off recipe that delivers big flavors, then this Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is exactly what you need. This dish is a healthier take on traditional chili, featuring tender chicken, beans, and a rich blend of spices. All you have to do is toss the ingredients into the slow cooker, set it, and let it work its magic. By the time you’re ready to serve, the chicken will be perfectly shredded, and the chili will be packed with flavor.

This Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is perfect for busy days when you need a meal that practically cooks itself. Whether you’re feeding a crowd, prepping meals for the week, or just craving a bowl of chili, this recipe is sure to hit the spot. And since it’s made in the slow cooker, it’s an excellent option for meal prep—just make a big batch, and you’re set for the week. Plus, it’s versatile, allowing you to customize it to your taste with different beans, veggies, and toppings.

Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

• Easy to Make: The slow cooker does all the work for you, so you can relax and enjoy the process. Simply add all the ingredients, set it, and forget it.
• Healthy and Light: This chicken chili is a lighter option compared to traditional beef chili, but it still delivers a rich, comforting taste. The chicken provides lean protein, while the beans and vegetables add fiber and nutrients.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Since it makes a large batch, this recipe is great for meal prepping. You can enjoy it for several days, or freeze individual portions for future meals.
• Customizable: Want to spice it up? Add some extra chili powder or jalapeños. Prefer a milder version? Leave out the spicy ingredients. The beauty of this recipe is that you can adjust it to fit your preferences.
• One-Pot Meal: Everything is cooked in one pot—the slow cooker—so cleanup is easy, and you don’t have to worry about multiple pans or complicated steps.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Total Time: 6-7 hours (on low heat)
• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 6 hours on low heat or 3 hours on high heat
• Servings: Approximately 6-8 servings
• Calories per Serving: Approximately 300-350 calories, depending on the serving size and toppings.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 300-350 kcal
• Fat: 10-12g
• Carbohydrates: 30-35g
• Protein: 25-30g
• Fiber: 8-10g
• Sugar: 4-5g

Ingredients

For the Chicken Chili:

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for a juicier chili)
• 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans (such as great northern beans, drained and rinsed)
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 can (4 oz) green chilies (optional for extra heat)
• 1 onion (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing the onion and garlic)
• 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce (optional for extra heat)

For Toppings (optional):

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Fresh cilantro (chopped)
• Sliced avocado
• Jalapeño slices
• Tortilla chips
• Green onions (chopped)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sauté the Onion and Garlic (Optional)

While not strictly necessary, sautéing the onion and garlic before adding them to the slow cooker can enhance the overall flavor of the chili. Start by heating the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 3-5 minutes, until the onion becomes soft and translucent and the garlic becomes fragrant. This step brings out the natural sweetness in the onions and develops a deeper flavor for your chili.

If you’re short on time or prefer to skip this step, you can simply add the raw onion and garlic directly to the slow cooker—no sautéing required. The slow cooking process will still make the flavors meld beautifully.

2. Add the Chicken and Beans to the Slow Cooker

Next, place the chicken breasts (or thighs) in the bottom of your slow cooker. The chicken will cook and shred easily as it simmers with the other ingredients. Add the white beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, green chilies (if using), and chicken broth to the slow cooker. The chicken broth helps create a rich, savory base for the chili.

Then, add the sautéed onion and garlic to the slow cooker (or the raw onion and garlic, if you skipped the sautéing step). Stir everything together to combine.

3. Season the Chili

Now it’s time to add the seasonings that will give your chili its signature flavor. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, onion powder, and garlic powder. Add salt and pepper to taste. If you like your chili on the spicier side, add hot sauce to taste. The combination of spices and herbs will create a well-rounded, flavorful chili base.

4. Slow Cook the Chili

Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low heat for 6-7 hours. The long cooking time allows the flavors to meld together, and the chicken will become tender enough to shred with a fork. If you’re in a hurry, you can set the slow cooker to high heat and cook for 3-4 hours, but the chili will be even more flavorful with the longer cooking time on low.

5. Shred the Chicken

Once the chili is done cooking, remove the chicken breasts (or thighs) from the slow cooker. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the chili. The chicken will absorb all the delicious flavors, and the chili will become thick and hearty.

6. Taste and Adjust Seasoning

Give the chili a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add more salt, pepper, chili powder, or hot sauce to suit your preferences. If the chili is too thick, you can add a bit more chicken broth to thin it out to your desired consistency.

7. Serve and Top

Ladle the chicken chili into bowls and top with your favorite toppings. Some great options include shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, chopped fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, jalapeño slices, and tortilla chips. Each topping adds an extra layer of flavor and texture to the chili, so feel free to get creative.

Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

• Use Bone-In Chicken: If you have the time, you can use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for a richer, more flavorful chili. The bones will add depth to the broth, and the skin will render some extra fat for a more luscious texture. Just make sure to remove the bones before shredding the chicken.
• Don’t Overcook the Chicken: While the slow cooker is great for tenderizing chicken, it’s important not to overcook it. Chicken breasts can dry out if cooked for too long. If you’re using bone-in chicken, it’s more forgiving, but if you’re using boneless breasts, check the chicken after 6 hours on low to ensure it doesn’t dry out.
• Add More Veggies: For extra nutrition and flavor, consider adding more vegetables to your chicken chili. Bell peppers, corn, or even zucchini are great additions. Simply chop them up and add them to the slow cooker along with the other ingredients.
• Customize the Beans: While this recipe calls for white beans, feel free to swap in your favorite beans, such as kidney beans, black beans, or pinto beans. You can also use a mix of beans for a more varied texture.
• Thicken the Chili: If you like your chili a little thicker, you can mash some of the beans with a fork or blend a portion of the chili with an immersion blender. This will give the chili a creamier texture without altering the flavor.

Variations of Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

• Spicy Chicken Chili: If you love heat, add extra chili powder, cayenne pepper, or fresh chopped jalapeños. You can also use spicy diced tomatoes to give the chili an extra kick.
• Vegetarian Chicken Chili: For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh. You can also make a veggie chili with additional beans, corn, and vegetables, and add some vegetable broth for a rich base.
• Creamy Chicken Chili: For a creamy twist, add a cup of cream cheese or a dollop of sour cream towards the end of cooking. This will give the chili a smooth, velvety texture.
• Crockpot Chicken and Quinoa Chili: Add quinoa for an extra boost of protein and fiber. Just stir it in at the beginning of the cooking process, and it will absorb the flavors while cooking.

Storage and Shelf Life

This Slow Cooker Chicken Chili stores well in the refrigerator and also freezes beautifully:

• Refrigeration: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The chili will taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
• Freezing: This chili freezes well for up to 3 months. Allow the chili to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Side Dishes and Pairings for Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

• Cornbread: A classic pairing with chili, cornbread adds a slightly sweet and crumbly texture that contrasts nicely with the savory chili. Serve it warm with butter for the perfect side dish.
• Rice: If you prefer to serve the chili with something a little more substantial, serve it over rice. The rice will soak up the chili’s flavorful broth.
• Salad: A fresh salad with crunchy greens and a tangy dressing is a great way to balance out the richness of the chili. You could add some sliced avocado and a squeeze of lime for extra freshness.
• Tortilla Chips: Tortilla chips are perfect for dipping in chili, and they add a satisfying crunch. You can even sprinkle cheese on top and bake the chips for a nacho-style treat.

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Conclusion

This Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is an easy, delicious, and healthy meal that will quickly become a staple in your recipe collection. The slow cooker makes it so simple to prepare, and the flavor combination of tender chicken, beans, and spices is truly unbeatable. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, a game day party, or meal prepping for the week, this chili will always deliver. It’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for customization. With its rich taste and variety of toppings, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser every time. Give it a try, and you’ll see why this is the ultimate slow cooker chili recipe!