Updated: April 29, 2026
This chicken chili recipe is one of those dishes that feels like home. I learned how to make it from my mom, and now it’s something I cook for my own family every year. It’s hearty, rich, and full of flavor, the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table and keeps them coming back for seconds.
Want to Email This for Later?
Email this post to yourself and we’ll share more inspiration when it’s ready!
Video Instructions:
What Does Chicken Chili Taste Like?
This chicken chili recipe has a warm, savory flavor with layers of spice and depth. Unlike white chicken chili, this version has a tomato-based broth, giving it a slightly tangy richness similar to traditional chili. The chicken stays tender while soaking up the bold spices, and the beans create a thick, creamy, hearty texture. It’s comforting, slightly smoky from the fire-roasted tomatoes, and pairs perfectly with warm cornbread muffins.
Ingredients
Each ingredient plays a role in building deep, comforting flavor:
- Chicken breast – Creates a lean and tender chili, and absorbs all the spices beautifully
- Fire roasted tomatoes – Adds smoky depth and richness to the base
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies – Brings mild heat and extra flavor. Don’t worry, these are not super spicy.
- White chili beans – These beans add a creamy texture that balances the spices
- Regular chili beans – These beans also add heartiness and that classic chili flavor we all know and love
- Onion – Builds a savory foundation
- Zucchini – A subtle, nutritious addition that blends seamlessly and adds texture. Don’t skip adding this to this recipe!
- Garlic – Adds bold, aromatic depth
- Chicken broth – Creates a rich, flavorful base. Use this instead of water.
- Olive oil – Helps sauté and develop flavor
- Adobo seasoning – Adds a well-rounded, seasoned base that will enhance the chicken broth
- White chicken chili seasoning mix – Boosts overall chili flavor
- Chili powder – Brings warmth and spice
- Cumin – Adds earthy, smoky notes
- Garlic salt – Enhances overall seasoning
- Black pepper – Adds subtle heat
- Fresh parsley – Brightens the dish at the end
Optional Toppings: Shredded cheese, sour cream, salt, and pepper to taste
Substitutions & Variations
This recipe is very versatile. Below are a few substitutions you can consider for this recipe:
- If you prefer a more spicy version, you can simply adjust the spice level with red pepper flakes or extra green chilies
- Short on time? You can use rotisserie chicken for a quicker version
- Swap chicken breast for chicken thighs for extra richness
- Add black beans or kidney beans for more variety
- Toss in bell peppers for extra texture and sweetness
- Add cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream for a creamy version
- Make it in a slow cooker or crock pot by combining everything and cooking on low for 6-7 hours
How to Make Chicken Chili
This recipe comes together in just four simple steps:
STEP 1: Clean, Season, and Cook Chicken – Begin by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add clean chicken pieces and season them with adobo seasoning, black pepper, and a portion of the chili seasoning mix. Let the chicken cook until it is fully done and lightly golden, then remove it from the pan and set aside.
STEP 2: Add Vegetables – In a large pot or Dutch oven, warm a bit more olive oil and sauté the chopped onion and garlic until soft and fragrant. Stir in the shredded zucchini and let it cook briefly before pouring in the chicken broth, fire roasted tomatoes, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Return the cooked chicken to the pot.
STEP 3: Deepen Seasoning & Add Beans – Add the remaining seasoning mix, chili powder, cumin, and garlic salt. Stir everything together until well combined. Gently fold in the beans and allow the chili to simmer, giving it time to thicken and for the flavors to come together. Stir occasionally as it cooks.
STEP 4: Simmer on Low & Serve – Once the chili reaches your desired consistency, remove it from the heat and stir in fresh parsley. Ladle into bowls and finish with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese or sour cream.
How to Store and Freeze
You can store any leftover chicken chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. After four days, I recommend freezing this chili to preserve. To freeze, allow the chili to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready too reheat and enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a little chicken broth if needed to loosen the consistency.
Hosting & Entertaining Tips
Chicken chili is one of my favorite dishes to serve when hosting because it’s cozy, crowd-pleasing, and incredibly easy to prepare ahead of time. Whether you’re planning a casual girls’ night, game day gathering, or a relaxed family dinner, you can host a creative dinner experience with this recipe by using some of the hosting tips below:
- Create a Chili Bar – If you want to have some friends and famiily over, why not set up a self-serve chili bar so guests can customize their bowls. Offer toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, tortilla chips, avocado slices, and fresh lime wedges. It makes the meal interactive and fun!
- Serve It Family-Style – Keep your chili warm in a Dutch oven or slow cooker on low heat and let guests serve themselves throughout the night. This keeps things relaxed and allows everyone to eat when they’re ready. You can even offer cute mini dutch ovens as the serving bowl for each family member.
- Pair with Simple Sides – Balance the richness of the chili with easy sides like cornbread muffins, a light green salad, or even a charcuterie-style snack board for guests to graze on before dinner.
- Make It Ahead
Chicken chili tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for hosting. Prepare it in advance so you can spend more time with your guests instead of being in the kitchen.
More Soups and Chili Recipes
If you loved this recipe, here are a few more cozy favorites to try next:
FAQ
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! To make this crockpot recipe, add all ingredients and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
What beans work best?
White beans, cannellini beans, great northern beans, or chili beans are great, but you can also use black beans or kidney beans.
How do I thicken my chili?
Let it simmer longer uncovered, or mash a small portion of the beans to naturally thicken it.
Is this chicken chili recipe spicy?
It has mild heat, but you can adjust spice levels to your preference.
Recipe Card
Chicken Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast,1-inch cubed pieces, (I used thins sliced for faster cook time)
- 1 14.5 oz Fire Roasted Tomatoes
- 1 10 oz Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, (I use the Ro-Tel brand)
- 1 16 oz can of white chili beans, drained
- 1 16 oz can of regular chili beans, drained
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 zucchini shredded
- 7 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp adobo all purpose seasoning
- 2 packs McCormick White Chicken Chili Seasoning Mix, (Order here from Amazon)
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 tsp cracked black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Optional Ingredients:
- Top with shredded cheese to taste
- Top with sour cream to taste
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Clean and chop chicken as set aside. Heat olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken and season with 1 tablespoon of Adobo All Purpose Seasoning, 1 teaspoon of cracked black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of McCormick White Chicken Chili Seasoning to infuse the chicken with flavor. Cook until the chicken is fully cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes per side. Once done, remove from heat and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, cooking until the onions become translucent. Stir in the zucchini, then add the chicken broth, fire-roasted tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and cooked chicken. Sprinkle in the remaining McCormick White Chicken Chili Seasoning, chili powder, cumin, and garlic salt, then stir to combine.
- Once the ingredients are well combined, stir in the white chili beans and regular chili beans. Let the chili simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to come together. Continue cooking until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Once your chili is cooked, turn off your stovetop, stir in your fresh parsley. Serve in a soup bowl, and garnish with optional ingredients such as shredded cheese, or sour cream. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Craving More?
If you make this chicken chili recipe, I would love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @elicitfolio, or leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out. Don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest for more cozy recipes and hosting inspiration. And tell me, what soup or chili recipe should I make next?
So yummy! Now I’m hungry! Definitely going to give this a try!
This looks like my type of chili! Can’t wait to give this recipe a try now that it’s getting colder.