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Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Chili

Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Chili
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Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Chili is a hearty, smoky, and spicy dish featuring tender chicken simmered with chipotle peppers, beans, and vibrant vegetables. Perfect for cozy meals, this easy-to-make chili offers bold flavors with minimal hands-on cooking and can be customized to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Vegetables

  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 to 2 bell peppers, chopped
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes

Beans

  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained

Liquids

  • 1 cup chicken broth

Spices and Flavorings

  • 2 to 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from chipotle peppers can
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder

Instructions

  1. Prep Your Ingredients: Finely chop the onions, garlic, and bell peppers. Rinse and drain the canned black and kidney beans. Measure out the cumin, oregano, chili powder, chipotle peppers, and adobo sauce for easy access.
  2. Sear the Chicken (Optional): Heat a pan over medium-high heat and lightly brown the chicken breasts or thighs on both sides to enhance flavor and texture. This step is optional but recommended.
  3. Combine in Slow Cooker: Place the chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, chopped onions, garlic, bell peppers, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, chicken broth, and spices on top. Gently stir everything to combine slightly.
  4. Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to become tender and shreddable.
  5. Finish and Serve: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot and stir well. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired before serving.

Notes

  • Searing the chicken adds a deeper flavor but is not mandatory.
  • Always use authentic chipotle peppers canned in adobo sauce for best smoky taste.
  • Avoid overfilling the slow cooker to ensure even cooking and prevent spills.
  • Adjust spice levels near the end by adding more chipotle peppers or hot sauce as preferred.
  • For tender shredded chicken, use two forks carefully.
  • Vegetarian option: swap chicken with extra beans or plant-based meat substitutes.
  • To make it milder, reduce chipotle peppers or substitute with smoked paprika.
  • Add extra veggies like corn, zucchini, or carrots for variety and nutrition.
  • Serve with garnishes like cilantro, avocado, lime juice, or sour cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: chipotle chicken chili, slow cooker chili, smoky chili, easy chicken chili, gluten free chili, slow cooker recipe, healthy chili

Find it online: https://jamescookes.com/slow-cooker-chipotle-chicken-chili/