Classic Chicken Chili Recipe
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It’s chili season and nothing beats a classic chicken chili recipe on an autumn evening.
This classic chicken chili is comfort food in a bowl. It’s easy, weeknight food that makes a hearty and satisfying dinner. Better still, the leftovers are perfect for packing in a Thermos to take for lunch the next day.

4 Reasons Why You Should Make This Classic Chicken Chili Recipe
- It’s a fast recipe that is easy to make.
- It’s easy to alter for any dietary needs.
- You can easily double the recipe for planned leftovers for lunches the next day.
- It’s a high-protein meal that is totally customizable with your favorite toppings.
Recipe Hints And Tips For The Best Chicken Chili
- Dry-roast the spices – Dry-roasting the spices in an un-oiled skillet until they are fragrant brings out the flavors and aromas. Do this before you use them in the recipe.
- Simmer low and slow – The longer you let this simmer, the better and deeper the flavor becomes. But keep an eye on it so you don’t cook out the liquid too much. Keep the heat low so you have just a light simmer.
- Spiciness adjustments – For spicy chili lovers, add as many hot peppers as you like to this. You can do it during cooking or use them as a topping at serving.

FAQ’s
What Goes With Chicken Chili?
If you need more topping ideas, here’s a complete list of what would taste great added to this recipe:
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Sliced avocado
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced red onions
- Sliced green onions
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Sliced jalapeños
- Diced tomatoes
- Lime wedges
- Hot sauce
- Pickled jalapeños
- Diced bell peppers
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Corn kernels
- Black olives
- Greek yogurt
- Radishes (sliced)
- Crumbled queso fresco
- Bacon bits
- Cotija cheese
What To Serve With Chicken Chili
Want ideas for side dishes that you can serve with this classic chicken chili? Try any of these:
- Cornbread
- Garlic bread
- Tortilla chips
- Rice
- Roasted vegetables
- Coleslaw
- Green salad
- Grilled corn on the cob
- Quesadillas
- Baked potatoes
- Sweet potato fries
- Macaroni and cheese
- Grilled cheese sandwiches
- Nachos
- Mexican street corn salad (elote)
- Stuffed bell peppers
- Guacamole and chips
- Loaded baked potato skins
- Cucumber salad
- Sautéed greens (like spinach or kale)
- Cheesy breadsticks

Can I Use A Different Type Of Meat?
You can! Ground turkey is a great substitute for this recipe. You can use beef, but this recipe is really better made with poultry. If you prefer beef chili, check out this beef chili recipe instead.
Can I Make This In A Slow Cooker?
In theory, yes. But honestly, this is such a quick recipe, that it’s best to make it on the stovetop. If you want to use a slow cooker for convenience, try this slow cooker chicken tortilla stew recipe instead. It’s very much like chili in texture and still gives you similar flavors to the recipe here.
How Can I Thicken My Chili?
One way to thicken chili is to mash some of the beans. This will thicken the chili naturally. But if you don’t want to do that, your best bet is to simply cook the chili longer to cook down some of the liquid content.

About The Ingredients
Ground chicken – Check ingredients because some brands add a lot of unwanted ingredients. You can substitute with ground turkey if you wish.
Extra virgin olive oil – Or any light-flavored oil you prefer to use.
Yellow onion – White onion will work here too.
Sweet potato – Peeled and cubed
Garlic powder – Or garlic granules.
Sweetener – You can use any sweetener you are comfortable using.
Chili powder
Ground cumin
Salt
Ground black pepper
Tomato paste – No sugar added.
Canned kidney beans – Drained and rinsed – – No sugar added.
Canned pinto beans – Drained and rinsed – – No sugar added.
Canned diced tomatoes – No sugar added.
Canned tomato sauce – No sugar added.
Chicken broth – No sugar or dextrose added.
How To Make Chicken Chili

Peel the potato and cut into small cubes, dice the onion, and mince the garlic. Put the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over low – medium heat and cook the chicken until no longer pink. Add the sweet potato and onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes.

Next add the garlic, sugar, seasonings, and tomato paste. Cook for an additional minute.

Add both cans of beans (drained and rinsed), diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until sweet potatoes are fork-tender.

Serve and garnish with your favorite chili toppings.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to three days.
Freezing
This freezes really well. However, it’s best to freeze this in portioned sizes to make thawing portions easier. Store in a food and freezer-safe container that is airtight, in the freezer, for up to four months.
Reheating
Reheat this in a microwave or on the stovetop in a pot.
More Chili Recipes
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Classic Chicken Chili Recipe
Equipment
- 1 large pot
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil (or any oil you prefer)
- ¾ cup diced onion (red or yellow)
- 1 large sweet potato (peeled and cubed)
- 1 tbsp. minced garlic (or pressed)
- 1 tbsp. maple syrup (or honey, Sucanat, or monk fruit.)
- 1 tbsp. chili powder
- ½ tsp. ground cumin
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp. tomato paste (no sugar added)
- 15 oz. can kidney beans (no sugar added – drained and rinsed)
- 15 oz. can pinto beans (no sugar added – drained and rinsed)
- 15 oz. can diced tomatoes (no sugar added)
- 15 oz. can tomato sauce (no sugar added)
- 1 cup chicken broth
Optional Toppings
- corn chips
- green onions
- shredded cheese
- sour cream
- parsley
- chopped avocado
Instructions
- Peel the potato and cut into small cubes, dice the onion, and mince the garlic. Put the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over low – medium heat and cook the chicken until no longer pink. Add the sweet potato and onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Next add the garlic, sugar, seasonings, and tomato paste. Cook for an additional minute.
- Add both cans of beans (drained and rinsed), diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
- Serve and garnish with your favorite chili toppings.