Healthy Crockpot Chicken Chili Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Aug 07, 2021, Updated Feb 24, 2024

5 from 9 votes

32 Comments

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This crockpot chicken chili recipe is easy to make and is a delicious, healthy meal to feed a crowd. Loaded with veggies, fiber and protein this chicken chili is even freezer-friendly. I make this chicken chili recipe every time I need to bring a meal to a friend. Gluten-free, dairy-free, & paleo-friendly.

Healthy Crockpot Chicken Chili Recipe (2)

This crockpot chicken chili is one of my favorite recipes of all time. It’s easy to make, healthy and feeds a lot of people.

I make this chicken chili recipe every time I need to bring a meal to a friend. I usually cook it the day before so I can drop it off in the early afternoon. It freezes really well, so if they don’t want to eat it right away they can freeze it for another day.

This recipe is loaded with veggies, fiber and protein and can be tailored to comply with any dietary needs, it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, & paleo-friendly.

Healthy Crockpot Chicken Chili Recipe (3)

The Crockpot Chicken Chili: Ingredients & Substitutions

Let’s chat about the ingredienets in this slow cooker chicken chili.

Note on Spice level.I use the mildest varieties of everything (chili seasoning, salsa, and green chiles) for two reasons: 1) I personally have a very low tolerance for spicy foods, and 2) I feed 6 children. If you like your chili to have a kick you can choose the heat level of your ingredients to suit your needs. Or add some hot sauce, chili powder, etc

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  • Salsa. Use your favorite salsa with your preferred heat (mild, medium, or spicy).
  • Onion. Any variety works well, I most often use red or yellow onions.
  • Vegetables.This recipe is very versatile. You can change up any of the veggies you like and substitute your favorites.
  • Beans.Use your favorite beans. We usually choose black beans, kidney beans, great northern, or garbanzo. Whatever we have on hand.
  • Brown sugar.Feel free to substitute coconut sugar for a refined sugar free version. Or you can simply omit it.
  • Chili seasoning. I use a mild seasoning, but choose your favorite or make your own.
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How to make Chicken Chili

We’ll walk through making this recipe step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Begin by cooking the chicken in the salsa until it’s easily shredded with a fork, then shred the chicken.

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While the chicken is cooking, sauté the vegetables, onion and garlic until soft.

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After the chicken is shredded, add the rest of the ingredients to the crockpot and cook for an additional hour (at least) so all the flavors can blend together.

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Serve

Serve the crockpot chicken chili with a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese and a slice of cornbread (or cornbread croutons).

Store/freeze

Store this slow cooker chicken chili in an airtight container for up to 1 week in a fridge or 2 months in the freezer. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

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Recipe FAQs

How do you make chicken chili thicker?

To thicken this chili you can add flour, cornstarch or a touch of cornmeal.

Can I make this recipe paleo?

You can omit the beans and substitute coconut sugar tomake it paleo.

Can I double this crockpot chicken chili recipe?

Yes! I double this recipe every time I make it because I usually cook one batch to bring to a friend and one for our family. I cook each batch in a separate slow cooker because I love mine but it’s not big enough to fit large batches so I just bought two. But if you have a large crockpot you can cook a double back in it with no problem.

Can you cook chili too long?

Yes, you can cook this recipe too long so follow the instructions for cooking times.

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Healthy Crock Pot Chicken Chili Recipe

Laura

The best Healthy Crockpot Chicken Chili ever! This recipe is so easy to make and is the perfect dinner to feed a crowd! Loaded with veggies, fiber and protein this meal is even freezer-friendly! Gluten-free, dairy-free, & paleo-friendly!

5 from 9 votes

Course dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 10 Servings

Calories 193.8

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Cook Time5 hours hours 50 minutes minutes

Total Time6 hours hours

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds boneless/skinless chicken breasts
  • 16 ounces salsa
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
  • 28 ounces diced tomatoes
  • 4 ounces mild green chilies
  • 6 Tablespoons chili seasoning (1.25 ounces, 1 Packet)
  • 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 3.8 ounces sliced black olives (canned, drained)
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 14 ounces beans (black beans, kidney beans, great northern, etc.)
  • Salt & Pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Combine chicken breasts, salsa, onion and minced garlic in a large slow cooker.

  • Cook on high for 2 hours, or low for 3 hours, or until chicken is tender and can easily be shredded with a fork.

  • Once the chicken is tender, shred it with two forks in the crockpot.

  • Then, add the rest of the ingredients – diced tomatoes, green chilies, chili seasoning, brown sugar, bell peppers, black olives, corn, and beans and stir to combine.

  • Continue cooking in the slow cooker on high for 1 hour, or on low for 2-3 hours, or until the vegetables are tender.

  • Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired.

  • Serve warm garnished with sour cream, green onions, cheese, chips, etc.!

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Salsa. Use your favorite salsa with your preferred heat (mild, medium, or spicy).
  • Onion. Any variety works well, I most often use red or yellow onions.
  • Vegetables.This recipe is very versatile. You can change up any of the veggies you like and substitute your favorites.
  • Beans.Use your favorite beans. We usually choose black beans, kidney beans, great northern, or garbanzo. Whatever we have on hand.
  • Brown sugar.Feel free to substitute coconut sugar for a refined sugar free version. Or you can simply omit it.
  • Chili seasoning. I use a mild seasoning, but choose your favorite or make your own.

Store/Freeze

Store this chicken chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 193.8kcal | Carbohydrates: 23.6g | Protein: 18.5g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1.3g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 387mg | Potassium: 330mg | Fiber: 5.3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2225IU | Vitamin C: 66mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 0.8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

More Delicious Recipes

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  • For a different variety, try this creamy cheesy slow cooker white bean chicken chili.
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  • We adore this Cheesy Sausage Gnocchi.
  • Easy Homemade Pizza dough and Homemade Pizza Sauce is the best easy dinner ever.
  • Try this easy Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe.

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Healthy Crockpot Chicken Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is chicken chili good for health? ›

Spicy Chicken helps in breaking down the fats in foods. The spices also boost heart health. Hence, it might be said that it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases like type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

What liquid to add to chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

Can you cook chicken chili too long? ›

It would be better to either cook ahead or set an alarm to get up and start the crock pot early in the morning. It is almost impossible to overcook a chili as long as you don't burn it.

How do you make chili more flavorful? ›

Elevate with Extra Flavor

Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.

Can we eat chicken chilli during weight loss? ›

There are so many healthy recipes for weight loss out there, but chili stands out as a comforting, nutritious, and easy-to-make choice. Many healthy chili recipes are one-pot wonders where you can throw your ingredients into a slow cooker or Instant Pot and have a delicious meal with minimal effort.

Which chili is the healthiest? ›

Best: Pacific Foods Plant-Based Fire Roasted Vegetable Chili

This is because the vegetarian ingredients pack loads of fiber and still meet our minimum protein recommendations. Although this option falls a little short at 8 grams of fiber per cup, eating a full can will fill you up with 15 grams and only 360 calories.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Add a touch of sweetness

Chili is rich, deep and often spicy, so adding a sweet ingredient is a great way to create balanced flavor. We've found that adding diced carrots is the easiest way to add natural sweetness, but you can also use vegetables like sweet potatoes or winter squash.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What thickens chicken chili? ›

Stir in some finely ground cornmeal or masa harina.

Just avoid coarse-ground cornmeal or polenta as they can lend a grainy texture to your chili. Start by stirring 1 to 2 tablespoons into your chili, allow the stew to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes more, and it should thicken up a bit.

Can I leave chili on warm in crockpot all day? ›

Don't leave it on 'warm' all day

Most appliances will automatically shut off after 20 or so hours on this setting, but you shouldn't leave food in a slow cooker for an extended length of time. The general rule of thumb is that 2-4 hours is the maximum length of time you can leave food in a slow cooker on warm.

How long does chili stay in crockpot? ›

How long should you cook chili? 8 hours on low heat yields the best results. Of course, if you're pressed for time, 5-6 hours on high heat works too, but the meat won't be as tender.

What can I add to chili to make it healthier? ›

Stir in Some Beans

Instead, use beans in your healthy chili to add fiber and stretch your dish healthfully and inexpensively. You can use one type of beans, such as kidney beans or black beans, or mix several types for a variety.

What does tomato paste do for chili? ›

Tomato paste is a great way to add bonus tomato flavor, and thickness, to a chili recipe. To get the best flavor it needs to be browned. Add a couple tablespoons (or a whole can if you want a thicker soup base) directly to the pan after cooking the meat and onions.

Why doesn't my chili have enough flavor? ›

Add a hit of soy sauce, Worcestershire, or tamari. These salty, savory powerhouses won't dominate or change the flavor of your chili so much as amplify what's there. Start with one tablespoon, stir, and taste before you add another.

Can I eat chilli chicken everyday? ›

Potential Downsides of Eating Chicken Daily

"Eating chicken every day as your sole protein source could result in some nutrient gaps," says Burgess. "For example, since skinless chicken breast contains very little fat, consuming it every day may lead to a lack of essential fats in your diet."

Is eating chili good or bad for you? ›

Eating chili peppers offers many health benefits, including improving your heart health, metabolism, and immune system. They also add spiciness, warmth, color, and flavor to your food. Experiment with different types of chilis to find the ones you enjoy eating and cooking with.

Is chili considered a healthy food? ›

In general, chili is seen as a healthy food since chili contains ingredients from key food groups. If you want to build a healthier bowl of beef chili, choose lean ground beef. Reducing the fat content in the meat is important for heart health and can lower your risk of developing diabetes.

What does eating chili do to your body? ›

Chili peppers contain a compound called capsaicin, which causes the burning sensation you feel after eating them. But capsaicin also can also help to alleviate pain by depleting the body's supply of Substance P, a neurotransmitter that sends pain signals to the brain.

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