24 Chicken Chili Recipes That Will Feel Like a Warm Hug!

August 29, 2024
Written by Kristy J. Norton

Chicken chili is a lighter and quicker version of the traditional chili but no less tasty. Chicken chili is also super versatile which is why you have many recipes to choose from. Go ahead and test out each one of these until you discover your favorites! 

Chicken Chili

1. Mexican Chicken Chili

If you love the taste of traditional chili but are looking for a chicken-based version, this is the recipe for you! Here, the shredded chicken is cooked in a base of tomatoes, green chiles, and taco seasoning. This is also a super hearty chili that includes beans and corn - make sure to serve it alongside tortilla chips and shredded cheese! 

Get the recipe here.

Mexican Chicken Chili

2. Classic White Chicken Chili

A white chicken chili is made without red chiles or tomatoes - however, this chili certainly doesn't skimp on the flavor! This white chicken chili contains herbs, spices, lime juice, cilantro, and cream cheese. It is also incredibly filling thanks to the fact that it is stuffed full of shredded chicken, corn, and cannellini beans. 

Get the recipe here

Classic White Chicken Chili

3. Spicy White Chicken Chili

If you imagine that white chicken chili can't be spicy, think again! This recipe brings the heat with the addition of jalapenos, poblano peppers, and chili powder. Don't worry - this heat is balanced out with the cream cheese and the shredded cheese in the chili. This is certainly a warm and cozy meal! 

Get the recipe here

Spicy White Chicken Chili

4. Ground Chicken Chili

Some people might argue that chili isn't chili without ground meat. If you fall into this camp, then you are going to love this ground chicken chili recipe! It has tons of flavor, is easy to make, and is chock full of protein and fiber too - what more could you ask for? 

Get the recipe here

Ground Chicken Chili

5. 5 Ingredient White Chicken Chili

This is a good recipe if you haven't been grocery shopping in a while! This chili just requires chicken stock, shredded chicken, salsa verde, beans, and cumin powder - this is it. The good news is that chili still scores top marks when it comes to flavor. Oh, and don't hesitate to pile on any toppings you might have! 

Get the recipe here

5 Ingredient White Chicken Chili

6. Chipotle Chicken Chili

This is a delicious and smoky Mexican-inspired chili! The chipotle peppers in adobo sauce lend flavor, heat, and complexity to the dish. Also, unlike many other chicken chili dishes, the chicken is cooked in beer and spices, allowing it to absorb the flavors so much better. This means deliciousness in every bite! 

Get the recipe here

Chipotle Chicken Chili

7. Healthy White Chicken Chili

Yes! Thanks to this recipe, you can enjoy a bowl of chicken chili with very little guilt involved. The trick here is to use blended chickpeas to add a nice and creamy touch to the broth. As an additional bonus, it's got protein and fiber to make this an even healthier meal! And don't forget the beans and corn that bulk this soup up even further. 

Get the recipe here

Healthy White Chicken Chili

8. Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

Not only is this chicken chili fuss-free, it is also super delicious! Here, the chicken is cooked in a lovely tomato, herb, and spice broth until it is nice and tender. Then, it is shredded and cooked in the broth again, this time with the addition of cream cheese! This is a simple and cozy meal that is perfect for cold months. 

Get the recipe here

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

9. Buffalo Chicken Chili

Turn your favorite game day snack into a tasty chili! Here, Frank's hot sauce adds bite and zing to your chili along with the other seasonings. Refried beans make this a nice and creamy chili too! If you want to elevate your buffalo chili, make sure to sprinkle on some blue cheese or blue cheese dressing before serving. 

Get the recipe here

Buffalo Chicken Chili

10. Creamy Verde Chicken Chili Bake

This recipe is the answer to: what would chicken chili taste like if it was turned into a casserole? This bake is tangy, a little spicy, and oh so creamy! It is also super easy to make and requires very little effort. You can have a delicious chili bake in as little as 30 minutes! 

Get the recipe here

Creamy Verde Chicken Chili Bake

11. BBQ Chicken Chili 

If you are looking for a summer worthy chicken chili, then this is the recipe for you! This chili is made with tomatoes, barbecue sauce, and bourbon in addition to the smoky seasonings. And, since the chicken is cooked in this delicious broth, it is super flavorful! 

Get the recipe here.

BBQ Chicken Chili 

12. White Bean Chicken Chili

This recipe offers such a delicious and balanced chicken chili! There are tons of spices and seasonings (including green Tabasco sauce) but this is perfectly complemented by the creamy white beans and the cheese. Even with all the veggies, this chili is sure to be a hit with kids too! 

Get the recipe here.  

White Bean Chicken Chili

13. White Chicken Chili with Rice 

If you are looking for a simple and filling meal, then look no further than this white chicken chili with rice! In addition to the chicken and rice, this recipe also includes broccoli, making this a pretty healthy dish. Since you are using pre-cooked chicken, this whole dish can be cooked in less than half an hour! 

Get the recipe here.

White Chicken Chili with Rice 

14. Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili with Sweet Potatoes 

If you want to make your chicken chili even cozier, then this is the recipe you should consider! This chili includes sweet potatoes, adding a heartiness and creaminess to the dish. As an added bonus, this recipe uses coconut cream instead of cheese, making this dish largely dairy-free! 

Get the recipe here

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili with Sweet Potatoes

15. Chicken Chili Chowder 

Yes, this recipe gives you something that is a match up between chili and chowder. The chicken soup in this recipe helps to make the chili extra creamy and also move it into the chowder category. To make things even creamier, serve the chili chowder with shredded cheese or sour cream. 

Get the recipe here

Chicken Chili Chowder

16. Healthy Jalapeno Sweet Potato Chili 

As the name says, this recipe is both healthy as well as delicious! The ingredients in this chili are largely low on fat but high on flavor. The sweet potatoes add some fiber into the mix while making it heartier, along with the beans! 

Get the recipe here

Healthy Jalapeno Sweet Potato Chili

17. New Mexico Style Chili Chicken Casserole 

This casserole is great for taste as well as texture. Here, you pour a creamy and savory base into a baking dish and top this with tortillas. The tortillas are topped with shredded cheese and chicken and then you repeat the layers. Then, this is all baked until the top is nice and bubbly. 

Get the recipe here

New Mexico Style Chili Chicken Casserole

18. Chicken Chili Con Carne 

If you love beef chili con carne but want a recipe that is faster and simpler, this is the recipe for you! It is also super simple to make and it comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight meal. Serve with tortillas or rice! 

Get the recipe here

Chicken Chili Con Carne

19. Smoky Chicken Chili 

This is such a warm and complex chicken chili - perfect for when the temperature starts to drop! The spices certainly add to that smoky flavor although the dark chocolate is the secret ingredient - it adds a delicious layer of flavor that really brings this chili to life! 

Get the recipe here

Smoky Chicken Chili

20. Loaded Chicken Chili 

This chicken chili contains everything that you can imagine - and more! It includes chicken, various kinds of beans, different types of chilies, and all sorts of herbs and seasonings! If you are looking for a chicken chili that offers an explosion of flavor and texture with every bite then look no further than this recipe. 

Get the recipe here.

Loaded Chicken Chili

21. Smoked Chicken Chili 

If you have ever wondered what to do with your chicken after smoking it - here is your answer! This chili contains a ton of herbs, spices, and even hot sauce. It also includes an interesting ingredient - coffee. Don't be afraid to add it, the coffee makes the chili dark, flavorful, and complex. Just go with it! 

Get the recipe here.  

Smoked Chicken Chili

22. Smoky Spicy Chicken Chili 

If you don't want to go through the hassle of smoking a chicken, then this recipe will serve you well. Plus, it comes with a bit of a kick to it as well courtesy of the chipotle peppers and poblano peppers! If you are all about the flavor, this is the chili for you! 

Get the recipe here

Smoky Spicy Chicken Chili

23. Creamy Tortilla Chicken Chili 

This chicken chili recipe keeps it simple yet filling. Best of all, it offers instructions to whip up your chili based on your dietary preferences or restrictions! Just make sure to top this chili off with plenty of tortilla chips to get the full experience! 

Get the recipe here

Creamy Tortilla Chicken Chili

24. Chicken Chili Verde 

The salsa verde in this recipe adds a tang that beautifully balances out the other ingredients. However, it isn't the only standout flavor here! The chicken is beautifully cooked and caramelized to lend even more deliciousness to the chili! 

Get the recipe here

Chicken Chili Verde

If you haven't paid too much attention to chicken chili before, it is time to start doing it now! As you can see, there are so many recipes that you can whip up, each with their own individual flavors and twists! 

By Kristy J. Norton
I'm Kristy – a chef and connoisseur of all things BBQ! You can find me either in my kitchen (or someone else's) or at a big outdoor barbecue surrounded by friends and family. In both my professional and personal life I’ve picked up more than a few tips and tricks for turning out delicious food. I consider it a privilege to share it with others!
Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Pitmaster Central is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca etc) and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Keep Reading
Copyright 2025 Pitmaster Central, all rights reserved.