Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

Posted Feb 12, 2025, Updated Feb 21, 2025

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This slow cooker chicken chili is an easy dinner loaded with protein, fiber and vegetables. It’s freezer-friendly and gluten-free.

a bowl of Slow Cooker Chicken Chili with sour cream, cheese and red onions on top

This slow cooker chicken chili is one of my favorite dinner recipes! It’s my mom’s recipe and it has won many first place awards at chili cook-offs!

This chicken chili recipe is flavorful and filling, made with vegetables, beans, chicken breasts and homemade chili seasoning. It’s a delicious meal loved by adults and kids alike.

I make this chicken chili recipe every time I bring a meal to a friend. I usually cook it the day before so I can drop it off in the early afternoon. It freezes really well, so if they don’t want to eat it right away they can freeze it for another day.

a spoon taking a scoop of Slow Cooker Chicken Chili in a crock pot

Chicken Chili: Ingredients & Substitutions

Here are some possible substitutions to use in this recipe.

the labeled ingredients in this crock pot chicken chili recipe like chicken breasts, diced tomatoes, chili seasoning and more

Salsa. Use your favorite salsa with your preferred heat (mild, medium, or spicy).
Green Pepper. I have tossed just about every vegetable into this recipe – carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, etc. Choose your favorites.
Beans. Use your favorite beans. We usually choose black beans, kidney beans, great northern, or garbanzo beans.
Brown Sugar. White sugar and honey are good substitutes. Or you can omit the sugar if you prefer, but it does bring out the flavor of the tomatoes nicely.
Chili seasoning. I use a mild seasoning, but choose your favorite or make your own with this homemade chili seasoning recipe.

a bowl of chicken chili with a spoon topped with sour cream, red onions and cheese

How to Make Chicken Chili

Begin by cooking the chicken in the container of your slow cooker until it’s tender and is easily shredded with a fork.

Cooking the chicken in salsa with onion and garlic tenderizes it and infuses it with flavor.

three large chicken breasts in a crock pot with salsa, onions and garlic before cooking, making Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

3 cooked chicken breasts in salsa in a crock pot making Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

Once the chicken breasts are tender and fully cooked, shred them in the slow cooker with two forks into bite-sized pieces.

Using precooked chicken

If you’d like to speed up this recipe, you can use pre-cooked chicken (such as the meat from a rotisserie chicken). Then put all the ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.

two forks shredding chicken breasts in a slow cooker making Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

shredded chicken with two forks in the container of a slow cooker with salsa

After shredding the chicken, add the rest of the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low or high (depending on your preference) until the peppers are soft.

beans, green chiles, corn, tomatoes, chili seasoning, green pepper and brown sugar added to a crockpot making Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili in a crock pot stirred before cooking

This is a great recipe because you can cook it and keep it warm in the slow cooker for guests.

I often make this when we have guests visiting because it’s easy to adjust the serving time if flights are delayed or they’re running late!

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili in a crock pot with a wooden spatula

Serve

Serve this crock pot chicken chili with your favorite toppings and sides. Here are some suggestions:

Cornbread (or cornbread croutons, cornbread muffins)
Pretzel bread or No Knead Bread.
Green onions
Sour cream
Shredded cheddar cheese
Crushed tortilla chips or homemade tortilla strips.

a ladle taking a scoop of Chicken Chili out of the container of a slow cooker

Store/Freeze

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to two months.

Reheat or thaw the crockpot chicken chili in the microwave or on the stovetop (preferred).

a bowl of Slow Cooker Chicken Chili topped with shredded cheese, sour cream and red onion.

Chicken Chili Recipe FAQS

Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely, double the ingredients and cook in one large, or two regular-size crock pots.

What spices are in chicken chili?

This recipe uses chili seasoning, which contains paprika, chili powder, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.

What are some common mistakes when making chicken chili?

Here are a few common mistakes when making this recipe:
– Not cooking the chicken properly. Make sure to cook it until it falls apart when shredded with a fork.
– Using frozen chicken. If you put frozen chicken in the crock pot, it will change temperature too fast and will likely be rubbery. If you want to use frozen chicken, thaw it first.
– Using store-bought seasoning. Use homemade chili seasoning instead, it’s the best.

How do you thicken chili?

If you’d like to thicken this chicken chili, mix 1 Tablespoon cornstarch with 1 Tablespoon of water. Then, add the mixture to the chili and cook with the lid slightly ajar, stirring occasionally until think.

a spoon taking a scoop out of a bowl of Slow Cooker Chicken Chili topped with shredded cheese, sour cream and red onion.

If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!