Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
Slow cooker chicken chili is healthy, delicious and easy to make in the crockpot. Try this recipe for game day or on a cold winter night!
Winter can be wicked cold in the Northeast, which inspires me to make comfort food. My go-to is chili because it’s an easy recipe that anyone can make in a slow cooker. This crockpot chicken chili is packed with flavor from my homemade taco seasoning. It is perfect for a cold winter day!
Why this recipe works: The recipe calls for simple ingredients where you can use a whole can of beans. Each serving is packed with protein, fiber and flavor! It has a temperate spice so even the kids will like it.
How to make chicken chili
- Place all the ingredients except the chicken in a crockpot. Stir to combine. Place the chicken breast on top of the mixture and cover. Cook on low for 10 hours or high for 6 hours.
- Half an hour before serving, remove chicken from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred the meat. Return the chicken to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cook for 30 more minutes for the best flavor.
- Serve chili warm with shredded cheese, sour cream and fresh cilantro if desired.
I have made this in a 2-quart slow cooker, but it’s a tight squeeze. I recommend a 6-quart crockpot (I like this model because the top clasps down so you can carry it to an event!)
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does chicken chili last? Chili will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days.
Can you freeze chicken chili? Yes. Transfer chili to an airtight container and freeze for up to 4 months. Defrost in the refrigerator before reheating.
What to serve with chicken chili
My favorite thing to serve with chicken chili is no knead artisan bread. It’s the perfect bread to soak up all the chili goodness! Another good option is classic northern cornbread (a family favorite in my house!), but if you want some extra spice, make jalapeño cheese cornbread.
If you’re looking for some heat, try these jalapeño cheddar biscuits. For a lighter side, but with a kick make this spicy cabbage slaw.
Related recipes
If you love crockpot recipes, I have a few on the site you will enjoy!
Did you love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below and if you REALLY loved it, consider leaving a comment further down the page.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- One 16-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
- One 16-oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 10 oz package frozen corn kernels, about 2 1/3 cups
- Two 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes with chilies
- 1 oz. taco seasoning,
- 1 teaspoon cumin*
- 1 teaspoon chili powder*
- 24 oz (1 1/2 lbs) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- chili peppers, chopped (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Combine beans, canned tomato, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top and cover.
- Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours.
- Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred with a fork. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Cook for 30 more minutes.
- Serve with fresh cilantro, cheese and/or sour cream.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Gina’s Skinny Recipes
36 Comments on “Slow Cooker Chicken Chili”
That. Looks great! I’ve always been a fan of the slow cooker, because it’s so perfect–the return on your investment is so high! So, I might just try this.
Please let me know if you do, I love feedback
Crock pots are a serious life saver! I couldn’t live without mine! This chicken chili looks awesome!!!
Thank you, ELP! The crockpot is one of my favorite appliances for sure.
I love slow cooker recipes, thanks for sharing!
Thank you for stopping by!
Yes please
I LOVE slow cooker chili so perfect for this yucky winter weather! Thanks for sharing, it looks amazing!
Thanks, it warms you right up!
It would be wonderful to come home to these smells, I am sure!
Yes, it was wonderful!
This looks so tasty and healthy! And your photography is wonderful! Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by!
Is the chicken raw or already baked?
raw chicken, it will fully cook in the slow cooker!
I tried your recipe and loved it! Thanks for sharing! I will definitely be making this again.
It feels like Jan in Mn so I have this all ready to plug in and can’t wait to try it after work : ) I decided to try your recipe for the taco seasoning rather than a packet. Just wondering how much of the 6 Tbsp it makes should I use in the chili? Since the seasoning already has the chili powder and cumin in that, I assume I don’t need to add more to the chili mixture?
Hi Mary. Thank you for trying the recipe! It’s about 4 1/2 tablespoons of taco seasoning and you need to add the additional chili powder and cumin.
Looks great! Any way for us lazy mommas to make it with frozen chicken breasts? 🙂
Just throw the frozen breasts in with all the other ingredients!
This recipe looks awesome! Just wondering if I need to drain the canned beans or add water and could I use canned chicken?
Thanks!
Pamela
I do not drain the beans, but you can if you like and add a quarter cup water. I do not recommend canned chicken as the whole chicken breast in this recipe cooks for a fee hours in this recipe.
I made this tonight and my family LOVED it (as did I) and I am looking forward to our beautiful future of mutually enjoyable meals…… which are few! 😉 No kidney beans so I made it with double black beans and added a little extra cumin and chili powder….FANTASTIC!
Could I use a packet of chili seasoning as opposed to the taco seasoning + cumin + chili powder?
Yes you can. It will not be taco-seasoned, however. It will take on a different flavor with the chili seasoning.
what is the best way to save for leftovers? Freeze? Or just refrigerate?
Made it tonight! It was delicious. I added hot chili powder to make it more spicy
It snowed here in Charlotte NC last night. Getting ready to try this recipe now let it cook all day while we play in the snow!
I made a batch of this last night – some for the week and some to freeze. Just had it for lunch and it was amazing. I used a little more chicken and added chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, so it’s a bit spicy, but delicious!
Yum! Thanks for trying it out, Tamara. I like the spicy twist.
This is my favorite chicken chili recipe! I have made it about three or four times and everyone loves it.
Hi Sophie, that is amazing! Thanks for sharing the positive feedback 🙂
Que bueno! Me gusta mucho tu blog es uno de mis preferidos.
I have been eating this for at least two years, absolutely love it and my daughter is always asking me to make it. I have my sister and her family hooked on it also. Great healthy recipe
Thank you for the kind words, Cindy! I am so happy you and your daughter enjoy the recipe.
I never leave comments/reviews on things but I have used this recipe countless times and love it so much that I figure I should leave a review. Delicious and so so easy! In the winter we use this a couple times a month. Love it!