Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it comfort food. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, this dish lets the slow cooker do all the hard work while you enjoy the tempting aroma filling your kitchen.
Perfect for chilly evenings, this hearty chili is packed with tender chicken, beans, and a flavorful mix of spices that will warm you up from the inside out.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity-throw everything in the slow cooker, and let it cook low and slow until the chicken is perfectly tender and the flavors are melded together. Serve with your favorite toppings like cheese, sour cream, and jalapeños for a comforting, satisfying meal.
Why This Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is a Must-Try
This Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is everything you need in a comforting bowl of chili-tender chicken, a perfect blend of beans, and just the right amount of spice. Here's why you'll love it:
- Hands-off Cooking: Once you set up the ingredients, let the slow cooker do all the work.
- Healthy and Hearty: Packed with lean chicken, beans, and vegetables, this chili is filling and nutritious.
- Flavorful: The combination of spices, chicken, and beans creates a rich and savory flavor that will make you come back for more.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a big batch and enjoy it for days to come, or freeze leftovers for future meals.
Ingredients You'll Need
Gather the following ingredients to make this filling and flavorful Slow Cooker Chicken Chili:
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for shredding after cooking.
- Beans: A combination of black beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans gives this chili a filling texture.
- Tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes provide a rich base for the chili.
- Onion: Chopped onion adds a savory flavor.
- Garlic: Minced garlic enhances the overall flavor.
- Chicken Broth: Adds a savory depth to the chili's base.
- Spices: Chili powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano create the perfect blend of seasonings.
- Olive Oil: Used to sauté the onions and garlic.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
Making this Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is incredibly easy-here's how to do it:
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the onions and garlic until softened.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Add the sautéed onions and garlic to the slow cooker along with the chicken breasts, beans, tomatoes, chicken broth, and spices. Stir everything to combine.
- Cook the Chili: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the chili and stir to combine.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the chili and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional spices if needed.
- Serve: Ladle the chili into bowls and serve with your favorite toppings like cheese, sour cream, and chopped green onions.
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
Here are some helpful tips for making the best Slow Cooker Chicken Chili:
- Use Frozen Chicken: You can add frozen chicken breasts directly to the slow cooker without thawing them first.
- Add More Heat: If you like spicy chili, add a chopped jalapeño or a teaspoon of cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
- Customize the Beans: Feel free to use any combination of beans you prefer, such as black beans, garbanzo beans, or white beans.
- Top it Off: Add shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, or jalapeños to give each bowl a personalized touch.
Variations and Substitutions
Make this Slow Cooker Chicken Chili your own by trying these variations:
- Swap the Chicken: Use ground turkey or ground beef if you prefer a different protein.
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the chicken and use extra beans or vegetables like corn, zucchini, or bell peppers for a vegetarian chili.
- Add Veggies: Toss in diced sweet potatoes, carrots, or even spinach to boost the nutrition and flavor of your chili.
Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil until softened.
- Add onions, garlic, chicken, beans, tomatoes, chicken broth, and spices to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Remove chicken from the slow cooker, shred it, and return to the chili. Stir to combine.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve with toppings.
Nutrition
Notes
- Feel free to add jalapeños for extra heat.
- Substitute the chicken for ground turkey if preferred.
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The Complete Weeknight Dinner Guide - your complete resource for this topic.
Browse all dinner recipes →Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is an excellent weeknight option - most versions come together in 30-45 minutes with minimal prep and everyday pantry ingredients.
The foundation of Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is a handful of core ingredients - typically a protein or main component, aromatics, and a seasoning base. The full ingredient list is straightforward and easy to shop for.
Yes - it freezes well. Cool completely before storing in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the oven.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze in portions for up to 3 months.
Carrie is a food writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience. She has worked for some of the biggest names in the food industry, including Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, and Martha Stewart Living.
As the Editor in Chief of EpicureDelight, Carrie oversees all of the content on the site. She also manages the team of contributing writers and editors, who help to create delicious recipes, helpful tips, and informative articles that you’ll find on the site.
A native of the Chicago area, Carrie is passionate about all things food. She loves trying new restaurants and experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen. She’s also a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, so she knows a thing or two about food!
