Spicy Chicken Chili
Smoky, spicy chicken chili with chipotle and Negra Modelo. Easy stovetop or slow-cooker method, freezer friendly.
- Mash chipotle peppers with adobo for deep smoky heat, then simmer with tomato sauce, beans, beer, and spices for at least an hour.
- Sauté onions first and add pulled cooked chicken at the end to keep it tender and moist.
- Recipe adapts to slow cooker or Instant Pot, and you can reduce spice, swap the beer, or freeze portions for later.
Spices
Featured in this Recipe
Preparation Instructions:
Chop up onions and mince garlic; set aside. With cleans hands or a mortar and pestle, mash up chipotles with their sauce; set aside. Sauté onions in a large pan until soft, and add to a large pot with garlic and spices. Stir in tomato sauce and chipotle peppers, broth, beer, water, and beans. Heat to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to a simmer and then cook uncovered for an hour. Add chicken at the end.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make this chili less spicy?
Use fewer chipotle peppers or remove their seeds and membranes before mashing. Start with one pepper and a spoon of adobo, then taste. Add more tomato sauce, broth, or beans to dilute heat. Serve with cooling toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, or avocado.
Can I use rotisserie chicken or raw chicken?
Yes. Rotisserie or already cooked chicken is easiest: stir it in at the end to warm. If using raw chicken, cook it fully first. You can brown breasts or thighs, simmer them in the chili liquid until cooked, shred, and return to the pot.
Can I make this in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?
For a slow cooker, sauté the onions, then combine all ingredients except the chicken and cook 4 to 6 hours on low. Add cooked chicken during the last 20 minutes. For an Instant Pot, use Sauté to soften onions, add ingredients, seal, and pressure cook about 10 to 12 minutes, then release and stir in the chicken.
What can I use instead of the beer?
Swap equal parts chicken broth or nonalcoholic beer for the Negra Modelo. Dark ale or beef broth will add more malt depth. For a touch of sweetness and body try a small amount of molasses or unsweetened cola if you want to mimic the beer flavor.
How do I thicken or thin the chili?
To thicken, simmer uncovered longer to reduce liquid, mash a cup of beans into the pot, or stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of masa harina or a cornstarch slurry. To thin, add hot chicken broth or water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
Can I freeze this chili?
Yes. Let the chili cool completely, portion it into freezer-safe containers, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stove. Add fresh toppings after reheating.
What toppings and sides pair well with this chili?
Serve with rice, cornbread, or tortilla chips. Top with chopped cilantro, lime wedges, sour cream, shredded cheese, diced avocado, or sliced green onions for contrast and extra flavor.
How can I make a vegetarian version of this chili?
Replace the chicken with extra beans, roasted sweet potatoes, mushrooms, or textured vegetable protein. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and keep the chipotle for smoky flavor. Adjust cook time until vegetables are tender.
How can I make this chili less spicy?
Use fewer chipotle peppers or remove their seeds and membranes before mashing. Start with one pepper and a spoon of adobo, then taste. Add more tomato sauce, broth, or beans to dilute heat. Serve with cooling toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, or avocado.
Can I use rotisserie chicken or raw chicken?
Yes. Rotisserie or already cooked chicken is easiest: stir it in at the end to warm. If using raw chicken, cook it fully first. You can brown breasts or thighs, simmer them in the chili liquid until cooked, shred, and return to the pot.
Can I make this in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?
For a slow cooker, sauté the onions, then combine all ingredients except the chicken and cook 4 to 6 hours on low. Add cooked chicken during the last 20 minutes. For an Instant Pot, use Sauté to soften onions, add ingredients, seal, and pressure cook about 10 to 12 minutes, then release and stir in the chicken.
What can I use instead of the beer?
Swap equal parts chicken broth or nonalcoholic beer for the Negra Modelo. Dark ale or beef broth will add more malt depth. For a touch of sweetness and body try a small amount of molasses or unsweetened cola if you want to mimic the beer flavor.
How do I thicken or thin the chili?
To thicken, simmer uncovered longer to reduce liquid, mash a cup of beans into the pot, or stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of masa harina or a cornstarch slurry. To thin, add hot chicken broth or water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
Can I freeze this chili?
Yes. Let the chili cool completely, portion it into freezer-safe containers, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stove. Add fresh toppings after reheating.
What toppings and sides pair well with this chili?
Serve with rice, cornbread, or tortilla chips. Top with chopped cilantro, lime wedges, sour cream, shredded cheese, diced avocado, or sliced green onions for contrast and extra flavor.
How can I make a vegetarian version of this chili?
Replace the chicken with extra beans, roasted sweet potatoes, mushrooms, or textured vegetable protein. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and keep the chipotle for smoky flavor. Adjust cook time until vegetables are tender.
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