A true set-it-and-forget it dinner that the whole family loves. Chicken chili is pure comfort food, lightly spiced and loaded with beans and vegetables. It's even better on the second day, and freezes well.
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine American
Keyword Dairy-Free, Gluten-free, Slow-Cooker
Essential Ingredient Chicken
Prep Time 20 hourshours
Cook Time 6 hourshours
Total Time 1 dayday2 hourshours
Servings 8people
Calories 410kcal
Equipment
Slow-cooker
Ingredients
2 1/2lbschicken thighsboneless, skinless
1large white onion
1largezucchini
1/2teaspoonfine sea salt
1/2teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
1teaspoonground cumin
1Tablespoonchili powder
1/2teaspoondried oregano
1cupchicken stockor vegetable stock
2Tablespoonsfresh lime juice
2cupsjarred tomato salsa
2canspinto beansdrained, rinsed
1canred kidney beansdrained, rinsed
3/4cupcorn kernelsoptional
1/4cupcilantro stems
Instructions
Begin by chopping the chicken thighs into 1/2 inch pieces. Place them in the slow cooker. Finely dice the onion; chop the zucchini. Scrape both on top of the chicken.
2 1/2 lbs chicken thighs, 1 large white onion, 1 large zucchini
Carefully measure the seasonings into a small bowl: salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, and oregano. This is when you can add a pinch of cayenne or chipotle chili powder for some extra heat. Mix the spices well, then sprinkle them into the slow cooker.
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 Tablespoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Pour the chicken stock, lime juice and salsa over the chicken. Tip in your drained beans, and corn, if using.
1 cup chicken stock, 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice, 2 cups jarred tomato salsa, 2 cans pinto beans, 1 can red kidney beans, 3/4 cup corn kernels
Lastly, chop the cilantro stems and add them to the slow cooker. Stir everything thoroughly with a wooden spoon.
1/4 cup cilantro stems
Cook on low for 6 hours. The chili will be thick and fragrant. Taste, and adjust the seasoning if needed. Perhaps more salt, lime juice or chipotle powder.
2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
If desired, serve with your favourite chili toppings such as sour cream, cilantro, grated cheese and tortilla chips.
Notes
This is a relatively mild version of chili, but you can always spice it up. I like to add a dash of chipotle chili powder for some heat.