This is the best Ground Chicken Chili recipe and is perfect for quick weeknight dinners. This healthier version has fewer calories and fat and is made with beans, bell peppers, and a homemade chili seasoning spice.
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I have so many chili recipes because it’s a go-to favorite any time of the year when I’m looking for something easy for meal prep, that’s healthy and filling, too. Chili is basically meat, vegetables, and beans. You pick your favorite meat and even omit beans if they aren’t your thing.
What Type of Chicken to Use
I’m using ground chicken in this recipe but ground turkey, ground beef, ground pork, or whatever you prefer is interchangeable so feel free to use what you want.
Ground chicken is lean, especially compared to beef and pork. This means it has a lot less fat and will have less moisture while cooking it. I like to cook it with sauteed veggies cooked in olive oil for that reason. I also had a small amount of chicken broth to the recipe to compensate.
How to Season/What Spices to Use
You can use a store-bought packet if you wish. I like to use my Homemade Chili Seasoning Blend. The store-bought packs typically have preservatives and/or sugar. For my blend you will need:
- Chili Powder
- Cumin
- Dried Oregano
- Cayenne Pepper (if you like spicy chili)
How to Make Ground Chicken Chili
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Heat a pot on medium-high heat with olive oil, chopped onions, green peppers, and red peppers.
- Saute for a few minutes until the veggies are soft.
- Add in minced garlic and stir.
- Add in ground chicken.
- Season the chicken with the chili spices and seasoning.
- Add broth, beans, diced tomatoes and chilies, and tomato paste to the pot. Stir.
- Simmer.
How to Make it in a Slow Cooker or Crockpot
You will have to cook your ground chicken first on stovetop. Add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker or Crockpot and cook for 4-5 hours on High or 7-8 hours on Low.
What to Top the Chili With/Toppings Ideas
- Tortilla Strips
- Avocado
- Seeds from the squash
- Heavy cream or Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt (plain)
- Bacon (cooked and crumbled)
- Chives
- Crackers
- Croutons
How Long it Will Last in the Fridge
It will last tightly covered and sealed for 3-4 days.
How to Reheat
You can reheat in the microwave or on the stove until warm.
Freezer Tips
This is a great freezer meal! It works wonderfully for meal prep. I freeze the soup using these soup molds from Amazon. The soup will freeze for up to several months. Defrost overnight in the fridge.
Pair With These Recipes
Homemade Southern Cornbread
Cornbread Muffins
Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
Honey Cornbread
Air Fryer Cornbread
Pumpkin Cornbread
Keto Low Carb Cornbread
Southern Cornbread Dressing
More Chili Recipes
Slow Cooker Chili Mac and Cheese
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Keto Low Carb Beef Chili
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Pumpkin Chili
Sweet Potato Chili
Leftover Turkey Chili
Creamy Seafood Chili
Buffalo Chicken Chili
Chili Cheese Fries
Creamy Stovetop White Chicken Chili
Taco Chili
Ground Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 1/2 cup chopped green peppers
- 1/2 cup chopped red peppers
- 2-3 garlic cloves Minced.
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 15 oz canned chili beans Drained
- 15 oz canned black beans Drained
- 15 oz canned diced chilies and tomatoes
- 1/2 cup broth Chicken or vegetable, etc
- 6 oz canned tomato paste
Homemade Chili Seasoning (You can also use a store-bought chili packet if you wish).
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon red cayenne pepper Optional for spicy.
Instructions
- Heat a Dutch oven or large stock pot on medium high heat. When hot, add the olive oil, chopped onions, green peppers, and red peppers.1 teaspoon olive oil, 1/2 cup chopped onions, 1/2 cup chopped green peppers, 1/2 cup chopped red peppers
- Saute for a few minutes until the veggies are soft.
- Add in the minced garlic and stir.2-3 garlic cloves
- Add in the ground chicken. Use a meat chopper and break down the ground chicken.1 pound ground chicken
- Season the chicken with the chili spices and seasoning. Stir until the chicken until it has fully cooked or for about 5-6 minutes. I find that ground chicken doesn't produce much fat, but use your judgment and drain any excess fat if necessary.1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, salt and pepper to taste, 1 teaspoon red cayenne pepper Optional for spicy.
- Add the broth, beans, diced tomatoes and chilies, and tomato paste to the pot. Stir.15 oz canned chili beans, 15 oz canned black beans, 15 oz canned diced chilies and tomatoes, 1/2 cup broth, 6 oz canned tomato paste
- Adjust the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and allow the chili to simmer until all of the ingredients are combined, for about 15-20 minutes.
- Cool before serving.
Diane Snyder
Thursday 24th of October 2024
Yum. I added a shredded carrot, about 1 TBSP Smokey paprika. I didn’t have any black beans so I added a cup of frozen corn at the end. Super.
staysnatched
Monday 28th of October 2024
Glad to hear it!
Regina
Tuesday 19th of March 2024
Can I use the frozen mix of peppers and onions. I’m going to do it in the crockpot.
staysnatched
Tuesday 19th of March 2024
Sure.
Keishsam
Tuesday 14th of November 2023
This was delicious! Full of flavor plus fast and easy. Definitely will be a go to when I want some chili. Thanks!
staysnatched
Tuesday 14th of November 2023
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Gigi
Sunday 8th of October 2023
delicious thanks for this recipe! I swapped out the turkey for chicken and cumin for paprika and used some dried pepper flakes I had from my garden for the spicy kick and wow!!
staysnatched
Tuesday 10th of October 2023
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Vivian
Wednesday 21st of June 2023
What a delicious recipe! Made it last night and both my husband and I loved it. For vegetables I used cut up baby carrots & spinach instead. Used pinto and black beans. Followed the rest of the recipe without any other changes. Super tasty. A keeper.
staysnatched
Thursday 22nd of June 2023
I’m glad it’s a keeper!