One pot game day Chicken Chili is so easy to make in under an hour! It’s super filling, flavorful, and comes together quickly without skimping on flavor. Perfect for cold weather and game night! If you’re watching sports with my family, this is probably what we are eating.
What’s in chicken chili?
I love that chili with chicken is easy to make with inexpensive ingredients! Here are just a few you’ll need:
- Chicken Breasts: You can use either thighs or breasts in this recipe. Thighs will have a richer flavor and will work great with the other ingredients. You could also add in left over rotisserie chicken instead towards the end of cooking if you prefer.
- Seasonings: Chili powder, salt and pepper are the essentials! You can always feel free to sprinkle something else in like cayenne or paprika if you’d like.
- Tomatoes: Beefsteak or tomatoes on the vine are my favorite to use.
Variations To Try
- This chili is mild in spice. If you like things on the spicy side, feel free to add in a little cayenne pepper.
- I used red kidney beans in this recipe, but white or black beans will also work well.
Email This Recipe
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!
How to Store and Reheat
The best thing about making a batch of chili is the leftovers! The flavors develop even more after a day or so so it’s perfect for meal prep. Let the chili cool to room temperature before placing in an air tight container in the fridge.
It will keep well for up to 4 days and can be reheated on the stove top.
How to Freeze
Chili makes for a great freezer meal and will keep well for up to 3 months. Defrost the chili in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Notes from the Test Kitchen
- You can cook the chicken ahead of time, or in a skillet first, but I make it in one pot to keep things easy.
- Make the chili in a heavy bottomed pan or dutch oven. It will distribute the heat more evenly and the bottom won’t stick.
Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 3 tomatoes cubed
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 16 ounces canned red kidney beans 1 can
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Freshly shredded cheddar cheese optional, for serving
- Sour cream optional, for serving
Instructions
- In a medium Dutch oven or saucepan, cook the chicken pieces in olive oil until the chicken is white. Drain some of the juice from the chicken.1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Add in the onion, garlic, tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato sauce, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat. Let simmer for about 30 minutes, allowing chicken to be thoroughly cooked and vegetables to soften.½ cup chopped onion, 3 tomatoes, 2 cloves garlic, 16 ounces canned red kidney beans, 1 cup tomato sauce, 2 tablespoons chili powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Serve with shredded cheddar cheese,crackers, corn bread, and/ or a spoonful of sour cream.
Notes
- We like to make this whole dish in one pot to make things easy, but the chicken can be cooked ahead of time in a skillet.
- Make the chili in a heavy-bottomed pan or Dutch oven. It will distribute the heat more evenly and the bottom won’t stick.
- This chili is mild in spice. When we want a little extra spice, we like to add in cayenne pepper.
- We used red kidney beans in this recipe, but white or black beans will also work well.
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
How to Make Chicken Chili Step by Step
Cook the chicken: In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook 1 1/2 lbs chicken breasts in 2 tbsp olive oil just until the chicken is white. Drain some of the juices.
Add other ingredients: Add in 1/2 cup chopped onion, 2 cloves garlic, 3 chopped tomatoes, 16 oz red kidney beans, 1 cup tomato sauce, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper.
Cook the chili: Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the veggies are softened.
Leave a Review