CHICKEN CHILI RECIPE (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · 24 Comments

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This White Bean Chicken Chili Recipe is spectacular! It’s packed with fresh ingredients as well as 2 secret ingredients that the flavors extra special.

CHICKEN CHILI RECIPE (1)

As the cold weather is rolling in, it’s a great time to whip up those big batches of chili and soups. We also love this Cincinnati Chili and this Easy White Chicken Chili.

This White Bean Chicken Chili Recipe is seriously one of the best I have ever had! I got the recipe from a childhood friend’s grandmother’s personal cookbook. I love thinking where some of my favorite recipes come from.

It’s a colorful blend of veggies and 2 special, secret ingredients that just make the flavor extra special! It reminds me of a Mexican Mole sauce kind of.

You can actually make this in the slow cooker as well! place the vegetables on the bottom and then place chicken on top. Place all other ingredients in next and cook for 4 hours on high.

How to Make This Chicken Chili Recipe

Bake Chicken Breasts in 2 tablespoon of Olive Oil at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until no longer pink inside.

Heat 3 tablespoon of olive oil in a cooking pot. Add the onion and garlic and saute about 10 minutes.

Add the bell peppers and jalapeno peppers and saute another 10 minutes.

CHICKEN CHILI RECIPE (2)

Stir in Chili powder, cumin, cinnamon and pepper.

CHICKEN CHILI RECIPE (3)

When chicken is done, shred or cut into 1-inch pieces.

Add the chicken, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, beans, and beer to the pot and stir to combine.

Simmer over medium heat for about 20-30 minutes.

Stir in grated chocolate.

CHICKEN CHILI RECIPE (4)

Garnish with your favorite toppings.

ENJOY!

What are Chicken Chili toppings

Seriously my go-to topping for any chili shredded cheddar cheese and a little plain greek yogurt (or sour cream of course)! But there are several other great options like avocado, scallions, olives, shredded lettuce, and even crushed up tortillas chips

CHICKEN CHILI RECIPE (5)

CHICKEN CHILI RECIPE (6)

Chicken Chili Recipe

This Chicken Chili Recipe is a specular version packed with fresh ingredients along with 2 secret ingredients that make for extra special flavors!

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 403kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
  • 5 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 medium sweet red bell peppers or 1 Red and one Yellow, seeded, cored and diced.
  • 2 jalapeno pepper seeded and minced
  • 3 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • teaspoon cinnamon *secret ingredient #1
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes one large can or 2 smaller cans
  • 14 ounces diced tomatoes one can
  • 30 ounces northern white beans, low sodium preferably (2) 15 ounce cans
  • 1 cup beer
  • ¼ cup grated unsweetened chocolate *secret ingredient #2

Optional garnishes

  • Light Sour Cream or Plain Yogurt
  • Grated Cheddar Cheese
  • Sliced Scallions
  • Diced Avocado

Instructions

  • Bake Chicken Breasts in 2 tablespoon of Olive Oil at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until no longer pink inside.

  • Heat 3 tablespoon of olive oil in cooking pot. Add the onion and garlic and saute about 10 minutes.

  • Add the bell peppers and jalapeno peppers and saute another 10 minutes.

  • Stir in Chili powder, cumin, cinnamon and pepper.

  • When chicken is done, shred or cut into 1 inch pieces.

  • Add the chicken, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, beans and beer to the pot and stir to combine.

  • Simmer over medium heat for about 20-30 minutes.

  • Stir in grated chocolate.

  • Garnish with your favorite toppings.

Notes

Additional optional garnishes:

Light Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt

Grated Cheddar Cheese

Sliced Scallions

Diced Avocado

Nutritional information does not include optional garnishes. Adjust for those additions.

Nutrition

Calories: 403kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 290mg | Potassium: 1324mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2155IU | Vitamin C: 60.2mg | Calcium: 152mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutritional Disclosure

Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

Tried this recipe?Mention @ToSimplyInspire or tag #ToSimplyInspire!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stacey

    FYI…Recipe does not tell you what step to add the beans

    Reply

    • Sherri

      I’m so sorry that was left out!! You add it with the tomatoes. -) Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply

  2. suzanne

    CHICKEN CHILI RECIPE (11)
    I made this last night and it was fantastic! A lot of chopping but it was so worth the effort. I did not add jalapenos as my husband can’t tolerate them.

    Reply

  3. Nicole

    Mole is one of the dishes that I would love to try, so thanks for sharing this. 🙂 They say Mole is an acquired taste, so it’ll be interesting to try this one.

    Btw, thanks for linking to Let’s Get Real Party! 🙂

    Reply

  4. Diane Balch

    Really healthy combination of ingredients. Thanks for bringing your chili to foodie friday.

    Reply

  5. Nicky

    Cinnamon and chocolate add a great flavor to chili. You don’t need to add much to get the flavors either. Thanks for sharing this with us at the Let’s Get Real Friday Link Party. I hope you’ll join us again this week.

    Reply

  6. Michelle

    Sounds delicious. Love the addition of chocolate. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!

    Reply

  7. Miz Helen

    Your Chicken Chili looks awesome! Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday today, it is great to have you at the party. Hope you have a very special week and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

    Reply

  8. Joanne T Ferguson

    Great recipe to share at the Foodie Friends Friday Copycat Recipes Party
    Cheers! Joanne

    Reply

  9. Camille

    That looks so good. I’m going to have to try the 2 secret ingredients! Its going to be cold again here Sunday so that just might be the perfect time to try this! Thanks! Pinned it too!

    Reply

    • Sherri

      It is so yummy! 🙂 Perfect for a cooler day. We are getting cold and rainy Tuesday. I am planning on making it myself! Thanks so much for the pin!

      Reply

  10. Felecia

    Hi Sherri! Thanks for sharing your version of chicken chili! It looks delicious! I can hardly wait to make some! Blessings from Bama!

    Reply

  11. Beverly

    I love chili. I have made it with ground chicken but not with actual pieces of chicken. I am going to try this.
    Have a great weekend,
    Bev

    Reply

  12. Donella @ Productive WAHM

    It looks delicious. I like a pinch of cinnamon in my chili, too. I’ll pin this one!

    Reply

  13. Robyn @ simply fresh dinners

    Wow, with that list of ingredients, it’s got to be one perfect bowl of chili! Looks delicious and healthy and ready to eat! Thanks for sharing, Sherri.

    Reply

  14. jan

    That looks real yummy and easy too! 🙂 Love the secret ingredients 😉 … hopping over from In & Out of the Kitchen!

    Reply

    • Sherri

      It is so yummy!! Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂

      Reply

  15. Cindy @ Hun... What's for Dinner?

    I’d love to sit down to a big bowl of this chili. Great secret ingredients! Thank you for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.

    Reply

  16. Heidi

    Can you leave out the beer??

    Reply

    • Sherri

      I am you could 🙂 I would use chicken broth maybe for richer flavor but water would probably be fine as well.

      Reply

  17. Angela Parker

    Great looking recipe! I pinned it to try soon : )

    Reply

    • Sherri

      Thanks! It is one of my favorite’s 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply

CHICKEN CHILI RECIPE (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

What thickens chicken chili? ›

Use All-Purpose Flour or Cornstarch

All-purpose flour and cornstarch are useful for thickening chili, as well as sauces, soups, and stews.

What is chilli chicken made of? ›

Boneless chicken pieces are marinated in soya sauce, chili sauce and black pepper. Later coated with cornstarch, flour and egg white, before frying to yield crispy chicken bites. Onions, bell peppers, garlic, chilli sauce, soya sauce and vinegar come together to form a delicious finger-licking good sauce.

Does chili taste better in the crockpot? ›

Chili is perhaps the ideal slow-cooker dish because its flavor improves with a long, slow simmer.

What is the magic ingredient for chili? ›

Cocoa Powder

Cocoa powder has earthy undertones that play well with the spices found in chili. You don't need a lot of it either. If you're making a big pot, 1 to 2 tablespoons will be all you need. Add it with your liquid ingredients and simmer for as long as you can to maximize flavor.

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

A cup of strong, brewed coffee will work wonders for your pot of chili, imparting a deep, roasted flavor that will make the chili taste like it simmered away all day long. For maximum flavor, reduce the coffee along with a blend of tomato paste, aromatic veggies and spices like we do in our Spicy Vegetarian Chili.

How to make chili more flavorful? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Ideally, chili should simmer low and slow. This allows some of the liquid to evaporate and results in a thicker consistency and deeper, more complex flavor as the aromatics and spices release their superpowers.

Do you simmer chili with the lid on or off? ›

You want the liquid in the chili to reduce, and leaving the lid off is crucial. If you're simmering the chili for a longer time, partially cover the pot to prevent the liquid from evaporating too quickly. Once the liquid has slightly reduced, season with salt and pepper to taste.

What is the difference between chicken chilli and chicken 65? ›

Anonymous Answered Aug 25, 2022 Chicken chilli is dark soya sauce n tomato ketchup,bellpaper,diced cut green chillies,sweet and spices. chicken 65 is tangy flavour. ... Chicken chilli is dark soya sauce n tomato ketchup,bellpaper,diced cut green chillies,sweet and spices. chicken 65 is tangy flavour.

Does chili use chicken stock? ›

Chicken Broth: I like the depth of flavor from using chicken broth as it adds a nice contrast to the beef, but feel free to use beef broth or a combination of both. You'll want to drain the kidney beans, but rinsing them is optional. Doing so will reduce the amount of sodium that gets carried into the dish.

Is chilli chicken healthy? ›

Spicy Chicken helps in breaking down the fats in foods. The spices also boost heart health. Hence, it might be said that it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases like type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Do you drain beans for chili? ›

Unless the recipe tells you to keep the canned beans in their liquid, you should drain your can and give the beans a good rinse before using. This will improve the flavor and texture of your finished dish.

What kind of beans are good in chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

What gives chili depth of flavor? ›

Plain white vinegar can work the same magic trick—even balsamic or apple cider vinegar, if you want a suggestion of sweetness too. Not just for stir fries, a few dashes of soy sauce enhances the umami savorof your chili, and is good for adding some meaty depth to veggie chilis too. Liquid aminos can do the same.

What can I add to chili to make it amazing? ›

Spices: While cumin, chile powder, and cayenne pepper tend to be common additions to many chili recipes, there's a broad world of flavor out there to experiment with. Try a little fenugreek, turmeric, garam masala, or sumac to layer in more complex flavors. Smoky paprika is my own personal favorite.

What makes can chili taste better? ›

Although canned chili will already have some seasonings, fresh herbs and spices will add bolder flavor. You can upgrade your chili using ingredients you likely already have on your spice rack, such as chili powder, ground cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What is the secret to competition chili? ›

Additional Depth of Flavor

Ingredients like tomato paste, cinnamon, coffee and liquid smoke can all add flavor hints that will make your chili cook-off entry unique. Roast your vegetables and use broth or beer instead of water for even more flavor in your pot.

References

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