Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Recipe

This recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is a version of our classic Sweet and Spicy Chili, which feeds a crowd and is great for game day.  I wanted to make slow cooker chili and didn’t have ground beef on hand, but I did have chicken.

Tangy tomato, a hint of smokiness and spice, crisp corn kernels and tender chicken make this Slow Cooker Chicken Chili an amazing recipe! PIN FOR LATER.

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is not only good for game day parties and other gatherings, but it’s fantastic as part of your weekly meal plan.  You can use the leftovers to make other great dishes, like our Chili Stuffed Peppers, too. Use my Menu Planner and Grocery List Printable Set to plan out your meals – it’s a free download. (Be sure to check out my Busy Mom’s Survival Guide for loads more tips and tricks!)

Shopping List

• green pepper
• sweet onion
• jalapeno
• 1lb chicken
• BBQ sauce
• 29oz can tomato puree
• 29oz can crushed tomatoes
• 15oz can light red kidney beans
• 15oz can dark red kidney beans
• corn kernels

from the pantry: olive oil, granulated garlic, onion powder, chili powder, red pepper flake, ground cumin, salt and pepper

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• cutting board and good knife
• slow cooker
• skillet
• spoonula

For a list of some of my favorite items to use when cooking, and why I chose them, please visit my Kitchen Resource page.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

1. In a skillet, heat the olive oil.  Add the onions, peppers, jalapeno pinch of red pepper flake and cook until tender.
2. Add the tomato puree and crushed tomatoes to the slow cooker.
3. Add the pepper mixture, beans and seasonings. Stir to combine.
4. Season chicken chicken breasts with salt and pepper and add to the slow cooker.
5. Stir in the corn kernels.
6. Set the slow cooker on low for 8 hours.
7. Remove the chicken and shred. Return to slow cooker.
8. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.
9. Serve with sour cream, cheddar cheese, diced onion, jalapeno slices or other desired toppings.

Find out How to Use Your Slow Cooker Like a Boss and make the most of it.  I love using my slow cooker because it saves me time, and money, too.

What Kind of Beans Go in Slow Cooker Chicken Chili?

Personally, I don’t care for beans in my chili recipes, but Mr. Juggling Act loves them. Add light or dark red kidney beans, white or pinto beans to this slow cooker chicken chili. For a more Tex-Mex style chili, you can also use black beans.  If you choose not to use the beans, I would recommend adding a 29oz can of diced tomatoes to help keep the chili thick!

How Can I Make Slow Cooker Chicken Chili with Ground Chicken or Turkey?

Here’s how to make slow cooker chicken chili with ground chicken:

• Season ground chicken or turkey with salt and pepper.
• Brown the meat in a skillet.
• Add to slow cooker and follow all the other instructions to complete.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

Serve your chili with a variety of toppings such as:

• sour cream
• cheddar cheese
• jalapeno slices
• avocado chunks
• chips or tortilla strips
• finely diced red onion

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

Since I’m not a big fan of super spicy foods, this is a mild chili.  If you like it hot, you can add additional jalapeno, or chili powder.  I would recommend adding a little at a time because you can always add more, of course.

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

Incredibly flavorful Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is a 'set and forget' kind of recipe that makes entertaining a breeze! This chili recipe will feed a crowd, and then some!

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Keyword: slow cooker chicken chili

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large green pepper, diced
• 1 large sweet onion, diced
• 1 large jalapeno, membrane and seeds removed and finly minced
• 1 pinch red pepper flake
• 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
• 1 29oz can tomato puree
• 1 29 oz can crushed tomato
• 1 15 oz can light red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 15 oz can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 lb chicken breast or thighs
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin for smokiness (optional)
• 1 tablespoon honey (to offset the acidity of the tomatoes)

Instructions

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the prepared peppers, onions, and jalapeno. Season with salt and pepper and a pinch of red pepper flake.  Cook until tender and transfer to the slow cooker.
  
• Add the BBQ sauce, tomato puree, and crushed tomato.  Stir in the kidney beans and corn.
  
• Season the mixture with chili powder, granulated garlic, and onion powder.  Add ground cumin if desired.
  
• Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add the chicken to the mixture.
  
• Cover and cook 8 hours on low.
• Just before serving, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and break it apart with two forks.  Return to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
  
• Taste for seasoning and adjust to your taste.
  
• Serve with a variety of toppings and tortilla chips for dipping!
  

Notes

Topping Ideas:

cheddar cheese, sour cream, jalapeno pepper slices, finely diced red onion, bacon, chopped cilantro

Pretty simple right?  And it’s so good on a chilly day when you’ve got the game on and a house full of people!

– PIN FOR LATER –

What to do with Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Leftovers

If you have leftovers, you can use the slow cooker chicken chili to make some pretty tasty recipes, like these below.

from left to right:

• Chili Potato Skins
• Corn Muffin Chili Cups
• Chili Stuffed Peppers

More Delicious Game Day Recipes

from left to right:

• Cheesy Spinach Dip with Garlic Roll Dippers
• Cowboy Caviar
• Garlic Chicken Wings with Cowboy Butter

Must Try Slow Cooker Meals

from left to right:

• Classic Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe
• Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe
• Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe

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• This Slow Cooker Cuban Pork from Belly Full is a another great hearty crowd-pleasing meal.  This is a great recipe to make on the weekend and have all week to make sandwiches, tacos or serve over rice.
• Our amazing Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken is a great cook once, eat twice recipe. Make a big batch and freeze some for later. The chicken can be used to make tacos, sandwiches or an amazing Buffalo Chicken Salad.
• Another great dish for the whole family is this Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore from Healthy Seasonal Recipes.  It’s a healthier version of the classic that can be served with pasta or even zucchini noodles.