13 Hearty Chicken Chili Recipes with Beans
As the chill of autumn sets in, nothing warms my soul quite like a steaming bowl of chicken chili loaded with hearty beans. I still remember huddling around the kitchen table as a kid in my grandma’s cozy home in Texas, where her chicken chili was the ultimate family ritual—tender shredded chicken swimming in a spicy tomato broth with pinto beans that soaked up every flavor. Those memories fuel my passion for tweaking classics into something new and nourishing.
Lately, I’ve been experimenting in my own kitchen, swapping beef for lean chicken to lighten things up while keeping that stick-to-your-ribs satisfaction. With beans adding fiber and protein, these recipes are perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep. In a world craving comfort without the guilt, chicken chili with beans delivers bold flavors, easy prep, and endless variations—proving why it’s my go-to for feeding crowds or cozy solo nights.
Classic Chicken Chili with Kidney Beans
This timeless recipe captures the essence of hearty comfort food using shredded chicken breasts, dark red kidney beans, diced tomatoes, onions, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and chicken broth. Optional add-ins like bell peppers or jalapeños crank up the heat.
Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil, add chicken and spices, then stir in beans, tomatoes, and broth. Simmer for 30-45 minutes until thickened. It’s packed with 30g protein per serving, fiber from beans for gut health, and low-fat goodness—ideal for weight management and family dinners.
Creamy White Chicken Chili
A milder twist featuring white beans (cannellini or navy), shredded rotisserie chicken, green chiles, cream cheese, sour cream, cumin, oregano, and chicken stock for a velvety texture.
Brown chicken with onions, add beans, chiles, and stock; simmer 20 minutes before stirring in dairy for creaminess. Serve with lime and cilantro. High in calcium and probiotics from dairy, plus beans’ soluble fiber for heart health—comforting yet lighter than red chili.
Spicy Southwest Chicken Chili Verde
Zesty and green-forward with tomatillos, poblano peppers, black beans, ground chicken, cilantro, lime, cumin, and oregano—no tomatoes needed for this vibrant verde.
Sauté peppers and chicken, blend tomatillos into a sauce, combine with beans and spices, then simmer 40 minutes. The antioxidants from peppers and fiber-rich black beans boost immunity and aid digestion, making it a spicy metabolism kickstarter.
Slow Cooker Chicken Chili with Black Beans
Effortless weeknight magic: chicken thighs, black beans, corn, fire-roasted tomatoes, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic, and onion—dump and go.
Layer everything in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours, shred chicken at the end. Beans provide sustained energy via complex carbs, paired with lean protein for muscle repair—perfect for busy parents.
Instant Pot White Bean Chicken Chili
Pressure-cooker speed demon with Great Northern beans, diced chicken, green enchilada sauce, cumin, jalapeños, and broth—ready in under 30 minutes.
Sauté aromatics, add all ingredients, pressure cook 10 minutes, natural release. Quick prep saves time while delivering high-fiber beans for blood sugar stability and anti-inflammatory spices.
Hatch Green Chile Chicken Chili
New Mexico-inspired with roasted Hatch chiles, pinto beans, chicken breasts, garlic, cumin, Mexican oregano, and chicken stock for authentic smoky heat.
Roast chiles, shred chicken after simmering everything 35 minutes. Chiles’ capsaicin revs metabolism, beans add plant-based protein—great for sinus-clearing winter relief.
Smoky Chipotle Chicken Chili with Kidney Beans
Bold and fiery using chipotle peppers in adobo, kidney beans, ground turkey-chicken mix, tomatoes, cocoa powder for depth, and smoked paprika.
Cook meat with chipotles, add beans and spices, simmer 45 minutes. Antioxidants from chipotles fight inflammation, beans support cholesterol control—a flavor-packed gut healer.
Tex-Mex Chicken Chili with Pinto Beans
Fiesta vibes with pinto beans, chicken sausage, corn, black beans dual-up, taco seasoning, Rotel tomatoes, and beer for tenderizing.
Simmer sausage, beans, and seasonings 30 minutes; beer adds malty richness. Balanced macros from dual beans and lean meat promote satiety and steady energy.
Buffalo Chicken Chili
Game-day hero blending buffalo sauce, white beans, shredded chicken, blue cheese crumbles, celery, carrots, ranch seasoning, and broth.
Sauté veggies, add chicken and beans, stir in buffalo sauce, simmer 25 minutes. Low-carb friendly with beans’ fiber curbing cravings—spicy satisfaction without wings’ grease.
Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Chili with Chickpeas
Exotic fusion: chickpeas, chicken thighs, ras el hanout, cinnamon, apricots, tomatoes, onions, and preserved lemon for sweet-savory depth.
Brown chicken, add spices and chickpeas, simmer 40 minutes. Chickpeas’ iron and spices’ anti-inflammatory properties enhance immunity—adventurous twist on cozy.
Sweet Potato Chicken Chili with Black Beans
Fall harvest delight: sweet potatoes, black beans, ground chicken, cumin, cinnamon, chipotles, and vegetable broth for natural sweetness.
Roast sweet potatoes, cook with chicken and beans 35 minutes. Beta-carotene from sweets pairs with beans’ fiber for eye health and stable blood sugar.
Pumpkin Chicken Chili
Seasonal stunner with pumpkin puree, kidney beans, turkey-chicken blend, sage, nutmeg, garlic, and tomatoes—cozy autumn in a bowl.
Simmer puree with meat and beans 30 minutes. Pumpkin’s vitamin A boosts skin health, beans add prebiotics—nutrient-dense guilt-free indulgence.
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Chili with Red Beans
Island heat: jerk seasoning, red beans, chicken drumsticks, scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, thyme, pineapple chunks, and coconut milk.
Slow-simmer drumsticks with jerk rub and beans 50 minutes, add pineapple. Tropical spices aid digestion, beans provide sustained protein—vibrant flavor escape.
Whether you’re craving classic comfort or a global twist, these 13 hearty chicken chili recipes with beans are your ticket to flavorful, feel-good meals. Grab your pot, stock up on beans, and dive in—your taste buds (and body) will thank you! Which one will you try first? Share in the comments.
