Hearty Chicken Chili
This hearty chicken chili is comforting, protein-rich, and easy to prepare with pantry staples. It’s a weeknight dinner hero that gets better with time — great for meal prep and family meals alike.
Equipment
- Large Pot
Ingredients
Core Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 1 can white beans 15 oz, drained and rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes 15 oz
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
Optional Add-ins
- 1 small jalapeño for heat, diced
- 1 cup corn fresh, canned, or frozen
- 1/2 cup sour cream for creaminess
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add diced onion and garlic, and cook until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until lightly browned on all sides.
- Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika over the chicken. Stir well to coat and let the spices bloom for 1–2 minutes.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in white beans and optional add-ins like corn or jalapeño. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes.
- Taste, adjust seasoning, and serve. Top with sour cream, shredded cheese, cilantro, or avocado as desired.
Notes
This chili is extremely flexible — use rotisserie chicken for speed, add lime juice for brightness, or bulk it up with extra veggies. Freezes well and tastes even better the next day.
Nutrition
Calories: 360kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 30gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 780mgPotassium: 650mgFiber: 6gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 600IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 2.5mg
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