Why Make This Recipe
Healthy Cheddar Chicken Chili is a comforting and hearty dish that warms you up from the inside out. It’s perfect for chilly days, game nights, or whenever you need a quick meal. This recipe is packed with lean protein from chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a kick of flavor from spices and cheese. Plus, it’s easy to prepare, making it a great choice for busy weeknights or meal prep!
How to Make Healthy Cheddar Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts
- 2 yellow onions, chopped
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 red pepper, chopped
- 1 poblano pepper, chopped
- 2 cans Ro-Tel tomatoes and green chilies
- 1 can tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon chopped chipotle peppers in adobo
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3-4 cups broth
- 1 can kidney beans or black beans (with liquid)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- Greek yogurt or sour cream (for serving)
- Cilantro (for garnish)
- Avocado (for garnish)
- Green onions (for garnish)
Directions
- In a large Dutch oven, add the butter, chicken, onion, carrots, celery, peppers, Ro-Tel tomatoes, tomato paste, chipotle, garlic powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and dried oregano. Set over medium-high heat. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened.
- Pour in the broth and add the black beans (with their liquid). Season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Shred the chicken. Stir in the cheese until melted.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top as desired. Enjoy!
How to Serve Healthy Cheddar Chicken Chili
Serve Healthy Cheddar Chicken Chili hot in bowls. You can top it with Greek yogurt or sour cream for creaminess, and add fresh cilantro, diced avocado, and green onions for extra flavor and color. It’s great with a side of cornbread or tortilla chips!
How to Store Healthy Cheddar Chicken Chili
To store the chili, let it cool completely and transfer it to airtight containers. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheat in a pot on the stove or in the microwave when you’re ready to enjoy it again.
Tips to Make Healthy Cheddar Chicken Chili
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker option; just shred it and add it in after simmering the vegetables.
- Feel free to adjust the spice level by adding more or less chipotle peppers.
- For a thicker chili, reduce the amount of broth you add or mash some beans to add creaminess.
Variation
You can easily customize this recipe by adding different vegetables like zucchini or corn. You can also replace chicken with ground turkey or beef for variety.
FAQs
Can I make this chili in a slow cooker?
Yes! You can add all the ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Shred the chicken and stir in the cheese just before serving.
Is this chili gluten-free?
Yes, as long as you use gluten-free broth and check the labels on canned ingredients, this recipe can be gluten-free.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely! Replace the chicken with more beans or lentils, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a delicious vegetarian version.
Healthy Cheddar Chicken Chili
Ingredients
Method
- In a large Dutch oven, add the butter, chicken, onion, carrots, celery, peppers, Ro-Tel tomatoes, tomato paste, chipotle, garlic powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and dried oregano. Set over medium-high heat. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened.
- Pour in the broth and add the black beans (with their liquid). Season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Shred the chicken. Stir in the cheese until melted.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top as desired. Enjoy!