Chunky Chicken Chili
Chunky Chicken Chili is a hearty and flavorful dish packed with tender chicken, vibrant peppers, and a blend of spices that bring warmth and depth. Perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights in, this chili caters to those who love a bit of heat with their comfort food.
Ingredients
- vegetable cooking spray ⓘ
- 1 c. chopped green pepper
- 3 jalapeno peppers, chopped ⓘ
- 1 c. water
- 1/2 tsp. ground red pepper
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard ⓘ
- 2 c. bite size cooked chicken breasts ⓘ
- 2 c. bite size cooked chicken thigh ⓘ
- 1 (14 1/2 oz.) can no-salt stewed tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 (13 3/4 oz.) can no-salt chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 (12 oz.) bottle reduced-calorie chili sauce ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) can Great Northern beans, drained ⓘ
- 1 1/4 c. peeled diced avocado ⓘ
- 1 1/4 c. chopped purple onion ⓘ
- 1/2 c. plus 2 Tbsp. plain nonfat yogurt (optional) ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. chopped onion ⓘ
- 3 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. chili powder ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 2 tsp. cumin ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. oregano
Instructions
- Coat Dutch oven with cooking spray; place over medium heat until hot.
- Add onion, green pepper, jalapeno peppers and sauté for 5 minutes.
- Add chili powder, cumin and oregano; cook for 2 minutes. Add chicken, 1 cup water, red pepper, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, stewed tomatoes, chicken broth, and chili sauce and bring to a boil.
- Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add beans and cook for 5 minutes.
- Ladle chili into soup bowls; top each with avocado, onion and yogurt.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier kick, leave the seeds in the jalapenos or add more ground red pepper. You can substitute the Great Northern beans with black beans for a different flavor profile. If you're short on time, rotisserie chicken works great in place of cooking your own chicken. This chunky chicken chili can also be made in a slow cooker for an easy, hands-off meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this chunky chicken chili with a side of cornbread or tortilla chips for a hearty meal. Garnish each bowl with additional diced avocado, chopped onions, and a dollop of yogurt for added creaminess. This chili pairs beautifully with Chicken, Artichoke And Spinach Casserole for a comforting dinner spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if it seems too thick. It can also be reheated in the microwave in 1-minute intervals until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chunky Chicken Chili contains roughly 367 calories, with 13g protein, 67g carbohydrates, and 11g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (130% of the Daily Value), iron (104% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (88% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1482mg per serving (64% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of beans in this chili?
Absolutely! While Great Northern beans are used in this recipe, you can substitute them with black beans, pinto beans, or even kidney beans based on your preference. Each type of bean will add its own unique texture and flavor to the chili.
How can I make this chili vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version of this chunky chicken chili, simply omit the chicken and replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth. You can also add more beans and vegetables, such as bell peppers and zucchini, to maintain a hearty texture.
Can I prepare this chili ahead of time?
Yes, this chili can be made ahead of time! In fact, it can taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Prepare the chili, let it cool, and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave when you're ready to serve.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).