Description
Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is a comforting, hearty, and easy-to-make dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Featuring tender chicken, beans, and bold spices slow-cooked to perfection, this recipe delivers rich flavors with minimal effort, making it a satisfying one-pot meal that’s perfect for chilly evenings and meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 2 lbs chicken breasts or thighs (boneless, skinless preferred)
Beans
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans or black beans, rinsed and drained
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–2 bell peppers, chopped
Liquids
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
Spices
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Fresh cilantro
- Diced avocado
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Chop the onions, garlic, and bell peppers. Rinse and drain the canned beans if using. Having all ingredients ready ensures they will blend well in the slow cooker.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the chicken at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the beans, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, chopped vegetables, and spices on top. Layering helps the chicken stay juicy and absorb the spices evenly.
- Set It and Forget It: Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. This slow cooking tenderizes the chicken and melds all flavors without requiring attention.
- Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken pieces using tongs and shred them with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Final Taste and Adjustments: Taste the chili and adjust salt, pepper, or spices as needed. Optionally, add a squeeze of lime juice or sprinkle fresh cilantro to brighten the flavor before serving.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat.
- For richer flavor, quickly sear the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker.
- Add canned beans later in the cooking process to avoid them becoming mushy.
- Layer ingredients thoughtfully by placing protein at the bottom and liquids on top for even cooking.
- Adjust chili powder gradually to customize the spice level.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg