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You are here: Home / Chicken / Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

Last updated on September 2, 2020. Originally published January 22, 2017 26 Comments

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The best Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili ever! This recipe is so easy to make and is the perfect dinner to feed a crowd! Loaded with veggies, fiber and protein this meal is even freezer-friendly! Gluten-free, dairy-free, & paleo-friendly!

front view of The BEST Healthy Crockpot Chicken Chili with sour cream, cheese and green onions

In honor of the upcoming Super Bowl…which I don’t plan on actually watching (#threekidsixandunder), as well as the super chilly winter we’re having…I have to share this Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili recipe with you!

This is my mom’s chili recipe. She is a woman of many talents; she’s an amazing writer, has an unwaivering cheerful outlook on life, and is the best Nana in the entire universe! Something funny though, is that she has never felt completely confident in the kitchen.

My sister and I tell her that she is a great cook, but she won’t accept our praise. However, she knows that she hit a home run with this recipe. This is easily the best Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili known to mankind. It has won first place in many cook-offs, and because of this recipe my mom is currently reigning as the Chili Queen of the World {it’s an indisputable fact}.

overhead view of The BEST Healthy Crockpot Chicken Chili

This healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili recipe is my go-to meal for just about anything. Having a small army of people over for dinner? Make Mom’s chili. Want to take a delicious healthy meal to a friend? Bring them Mom’s chili. Feeling lazy and don’t want to cook for a week? Toss Mom’s chili in the Crockpot and let the magic begin.

A great make-ahead recipe!

This Slow Cooker Chicken Chili recipe tastes phenomenal from the first day it’s slow-cooked to perfection for up to a week in the fridge. Even after a month or two in the freezer this dish steals the show. Everyone I have made this for asks for the recipe. Everyone. You can’t go wrong, so go and make it right away!

overhead view of The BEST Healthy Crockpot Chicken Chili with sour cream, cheese and green onions

Why this Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is so great: 

Because it is easy. The Crockpot does most of the work for you.

And it’s super healthy. A pot full of protein, veggies, and fiber!

This Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is incredibly versatile. You can add any veggies, beans, flavored tomatoes, salsa, etc. and the results are always amazing. I use one can of beans because my husband is a bean-hater {I know. It KILLS me} but you can add cans of beans until your heart’s content.

It’s cost-effective! Seriously, this is an incredibly inexpensive meal to make, especially considering the number of people it can feed!

Allergy/Strict Diet Friendly

Plus, this Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is allergy/strict diet friendly. Because of my husband’s job we host dinners All.The.Time. Many people these days are on restrictive diets, which can make deciding what to cook a chore. That’s when I turn to this Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Chili. It’s gluten free, and when served naked it’s dairy free. You can omit the beans and substitute coconut sugar to make it paleo. This chili really can be all things to all people.

And of course….It’s delicious. Look at that bowl of chili, all dressed up and ready to go.

overhead view of The BEST Healthy Crockpot Chicken Chili with sour cream, cheese and green onions

Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili: Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Spice level. Something to note….I use the mildest varieties of everything {chili seasoning, salsa, and green chiles} for two reasons: 1) I am a wimp and can’t handle anything spicy. and 2) I feed three children. LOL! If you like your chili to have a kick you can choose the heat level of your ingredients to suit your needs! 😉
  • Vegetables. This recipe is SO versatile! You can change up any of the veggies you like and substitute your favorites!
  • Beans. The same goes for beans, pick your favorites! We usually choose black beans, kidney beans, great northern, or garbanzo! Whatever we have on hand!
  • Brown sugar. Feel free to substitute coconut sugar for a refined sugar free version. Or you can leave it out entirely!

overhead view of a bowl of Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili with sour cream, cheese and green onions

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5 from 2 votes

Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

The best Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili ever! This recipe is so easy to make and is the perfect dinner to feed a crowd! Loaded with veggies, fiber and protein this meal is even freezer-friendly! Gluten-free, dairy-free, & paleo-friendly! 
Course dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken chili recipe, crockpot chicken chili, healthy chicken chili recipe, slow cooker chicken chili
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours 50 minutes
Total Time 6 hours
Servings 10 Servings
Calories 193.8kcal
Author Laura

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lbs boneless/skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 16 or 20 oz jar of your favorite salsa
  • ½ of a medium onion about 1 cup, finely diced
  • 1 green pepper diced
  • 1 red pepper diced
  • 1 yellow pepper diced
  • 1 TBS minced garlic
  • 1 TBS olive oil
  • 1 packet chili seasoning mix
  • 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes or 2 14 oz (don’t drain)
  • 1 4 oz can mild green chilies don’t drain
  • 1 4 oz can sliced black olives drained
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • ½ cup frozen peas
  • 1 14 oz can black beans drained
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Combine chicken breasts and salsa in a large slow cooker.
  • Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or until chicken can be easily shredded with a fork.
  • Towards the end of cooking, add onion, peppers and olive oil to a large sauté pan and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, for 5-8 minutes or until veggies are slightly soft and onions are translucent.
  • Turn off heat and add chili seasoning. Mix until your peppers and onions are evenly coated.
  • Shred chicken with a fork and return it to the crockpot (with the salsa).
  • Add the tomatoes, chilies, black olives, corn, peas, beans, and brown sugar to the crockpot and stir to combined.
  • Add the sautéed vegetable mixture and stir to combine.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Let cook on high for at least 1 hour. If you have more time turn heat to low and cook until you need to serve.
  • Garnish with sour cream, green onions, cheese, chips, etc.!

Notes

*This makes a TON of chili, you can eat some and save the rest in the freezer.
**I use mild versions of everything (chili seasoning, salsa, and green chilies) because I am a wimp and I have little kids. If you want more kick you can adjust it to your tastes!
***Feel free to add or substitute any vegetables or beans you desire!

Nutrition

Calories: 193.8kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 18.5g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1.3g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 388mg | Potassium: 330mg | Fiber: 5.3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2225IU | Vitamin C: 66.6mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 0.8mg

Overhead view of healthy slow cooker chicken chili in a bowl

 

Question: What’s your favorite recipe from your momma? Leave a link in the comments below! 

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine!

 

You might also like:

Easy Pizza Casserole Recipe
Honey Oatmeal Bread
Smoothie Bowl Recipe - 3 Ways (Video)

Filed Under: Chicken, Gluten-Free, Main Dish, Recipes Tagged With: main dish, slow cooker

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Helen Davison

    January 8, 2021 at 10:52 am

    5 stars
    This is a go to for large family gatherings. Everybody loves it and I usually end up making twice as much so that they can take some home.

    Reply
  2. Caroline Yeager

    November 30, 2018 at 6:10 pm

    5 stars
    I make this recipe ALL THE TIME and absolutely love it. I’ve shared it with my mom and with friends, and it’s now becoming a crowd favorite! What a perfect recipe for the holiday season!

    Reply
    • Laura

      December 1, 2018 at 7:18 am

      Thank you Caroline! I’m so glad you all enjoy this recipe! It’s my absolute favorite to make for a crowd or to bring to a friend who needs a meal! <3

      Reply
  3. Maha Khan / sooperchef.pk

    April 26, 2017 at 7:44 am

    you are great. I like your way of teaching us recipes method.I am new in recipes please Visit my website and tell me how I Improve my website https://www.sooperchef.pk

    Reply
  4. Meg @ With Salt and Wit

    January 25, 2017 at 7:30 am

    You have what everyone wants in a chili! Easy, Healthy, and most important, Delicious! I cannot wait to try this out! Best part for me is I can let my crock pot do all the cooking!

    Reply
    • Laura

      February 11, 2017 at 8:47 am

      It’s a tried and true family favorite!

      Reply
  5. Sonali- The Foodie Physician

    January 24, 2017 at 6:54 pm

    We’re totally on the same page- I have a Super Bowl chili post coming soon. This recipe looks AMAZING! I really love the black olives in there 🙂

    Reply
    • Laura

      February 11, 2017 at 8:47 am

      great minds! 😉

      Reply
  6. Jessica @ Nutritioulicious

    January 23, 2017 at 6:00 pm

    This is the perfect meal for watching the big game! I love bulking up chili with lots of veggies and beans, it’s both healthy and budget friendly!

    Reply
    • Laura

      February 11, 2017 at 8:48 am

      YES! I agree! It’s a great way to get many servings of veggies!

      Reply
  7. Rebecca | NOURISHED.

    January 23, 2017 at 5:02 pm

    So many good things all in one bowl!! And are those olives in there – that’s brilliant!! I’ve never thought to add olives to a chili before. My mom makes a mean cheesecake and she makes it every chance she gets. (Which is awesome and I am so not complaining!!)

    Reply
    • Laura

      February 11, 2017 at 8:48 am

      Black olives are my favorite! OoOo cheesecake sounds awesome!

      Reply
  8. jennifer

    January 23, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    you really made this chili look BEAUTIFUL — I want a bowl!

    Reply
    • Laura

      February 11, 2017 at 8:48 am

      It’s super easy to make! Thank you Jennifer!

      Reply
  9. Sarah Schaap

    January 23, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    I love a good chili packed with all the veggies!
    Favorite meal from my mom… hmm that is a really hard one. Probably her cinnamon rolls since I still look forward to them or her Black Forest Cake which she makes different than others just chocolate cake with cherries in the batter and she dusts it with powdered sugar.

    Reply
    • Laura

      February 11, 2017 at 8:49 am

      OoOo I’d take a cinnamon roll today!

      Reply
  10. Emily Kyle

    January 23, 2017 at 12:25 pm

    I love that this is your moms recipe, I love any recipe that has a special meaning or story behind it, it just makes it that more special! Will have to try this for the Super Bowl, especially if we get all the snow they are calling for!

    Reply
    • Laura

      January 23, 2017 at 4:22 pm

      YES! It has been snowing here nonstop and chili definitely hits the spot!

      Reply
  11. amanda -runtothefinish

    January 23, 2017 at 11:36 am

    I have a healthy white chicken chili that my husband and parents love, so now I can switch things up and test this out on them! I am just so in love with my slow cooker right now!!!

    Reply
    • Laura

      January 23, 2017 at 4:21 pm

      OoOo yes white chicken chili is delish! I know! All these people are into the insta pot and I’m over here still in love with my slow cooker! 😉

      Reply
  12. Mona

    January 23, 2017 at 9:41 am

    I’ve been looking for a good slow cooker chili recipe! This one looks fantastic.

    Reply
    • Laura

      January 23, 2017 at 4:21 pm

      It’s seriously SO yummy and versatile!

      Reply
  13. Emily

    January 23, 2017 at 9:14 am

    That’s so neat that you get to host dinners, and I bet that the slow cooker is perfect especially since you have so many children! 🙂 I love that this is your mom’s recipe; she sounds like my mom. My mom is an AMAZING cook, but she doesn’t always like cooking and she doesn’t add ingredients like I do…. Which mean that she almost never makes a mistake, while I sometimes/often do. O_O This chili sounds so comforting and warm and filling for a winter night.

    Reply
    • Laura

      January 23, 2017 at 4:20 pm

      I love slow cooker dishes, especially when we have out of town guests coming in! You never know when a flight could be delayed (or land early) so having a meal all ready to go and be served at any time is so helpful! Fancy that, someone who actually follows a recipe?! I don’t know what that’s like….lol! 😉

      Reply
  14. rachel @ athletic avocado

    January 22, 2017 at 12:51 pm

    There is nothing I crave more in the winter than a big bowl of chili! My Mom loves making the pumpkin chili from Skinnytaste which is really good but I think this version could top that 🙂 I don’t watch the Super Bowl either but this is perfect for it too!

    Reply
    • Laura

      January 23, 2017 at 4:15 pm

      OoOo I love the idea of pumpkin chili! YUM! I

      Reply

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About Laura

 

Hello I’m Laura! I am a former chemistry teacher turned wife and mom of five beautiful babies with one on the way in 2021! I’m a green smoothie addict, lover of the outdoors, and a peanut butter & nap enthusiast! Click here to read more >>

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