Short description
I adore this one‑pot chicken chilli—it’s flavorful, comforting, and simple to prepare using everyday ingredients like chicken breast, bell peppers, beans, and spices. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner or feeding guests with minimal fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how versatile this chilli is—lean chicken, plenty of veggies, and hearty beans all simmer together for a satisfying, healthy meal. The step‑by‑step method is beginner‑friendly, and roasting the peppers brings out a smoky sweetness that transforms the dish.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Olive oil
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Boneless, skinless chicken breast
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Bell peppers, chopped
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Sweetcorn (fresh, tinned, or frozen)
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Jalapeño, diced
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Red onion, diced
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Garlic, minced
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Mushrooms, chopped
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Taco‑mixed beans (kidney and black beans)
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Chopped tomatoes
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Chicken stock
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Dried oregano
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Ground cumin
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Chili powder
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Chili garlic spice
Directions
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Roast vegetables
I start by preheating the oven to 200 °C. I toss bell peppers, sweetcorn, and jalapeño with a little olive oil and salt, then roast them for about 15 minutes until lightly charred. -
Cook aromatics and spices
While the veggies roast, I heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. I sauté onion, mushrooms, and garlic, then stir in chili powder, cumin, oregano, and chili garlic spice. I cook it all until fragrant, about 10 minutes. -
Combine roasted vegetables and liquids
I stir the roasted veggies into the pot, followed by the chopped tomatoes, chicken stock, and taco-mixed beans. I give it all a good mix and bring it to a simmer. -
Cook chicken
I nestle the chicken breasts into the simmering chilli and let them cook uncovered for around 15 minutes, until fully cooked. -
Shred chicken
I remove the chicken, shred it using two forks, then stir it back into the pot. -
Season to taste
I taste the chilli and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, chili powder, or cumin if needed.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 6 servings.
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Prep time: 15 minutes
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Cook time: 35 minutes (including roasting)
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Total time: 50 minutes
Variations
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Protein swap: I sometimes use ground turkey or beef, or skip meat and add extra beans for a vegetarian version.
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Veg swap: Zucchini, carrots, or sweet potatoes work beautifully in this recipe.
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Spice control: I adjust the heat by playing with the amount of chili powder or removing the jalapeño.
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Beans: Pinto or cannellini beans are great alternatives if I don’t have mixed beans on hand.
storage/reheating
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Refrigerator: I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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Freezer: I freeze portions in containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months.
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Reheating: I reheat on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or stock if it’s too thick.
FAQs
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes, I just add all the ingredients except the beans and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours. I add the beans in the last hour and shred the chicken before serving.
How can I make it less spicy?
I reduce or skip the chili powder and jalapeño, and if it’s still too spicy, I add a bit of sugar or extra tomatoes to mellow it out.
What should I serve with this chilli?
I usually serve it with rice, tortilla chips, or cornbread. I also love adding toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado, or fresh herbs.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Absolutely. I chop them finely and cook a bit longer, sometimes adding extra stock to make sure the consistency is right.
How do I thicken the chilli if it’s too watery?
I simmer it uncovered to reduce the liquid, mash some of the beans to thicken naturally, or use a bit of cornstarch mixed with water.
Conclusion
This Easy Chicken Chilli is one of my favorite comfort meals. It’s full of flavor, packed with nutrients, and endlessly adaptable. Whether I make it for a quiet night or a big group, it always hits the spot. I hope it becomes a staple in your kitchen too!
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Easy Chicken Chilli with Beans and Peppers
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- Author: Chef Sara
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A flavorful, comforting one-pot chicken chilli made with lean chicken breast, beans, bell peppers, and spices. Simple to prepare and perfect for cozy dinners or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 bell peppers, chopped
1 cup sweetcorn (fresh, tinned, or frozen)
1 jalapeño, diced
1 red onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup mushrooms, chopped
1 can (400g) taco‑mixed beans (kidney and black beans)
1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes
1 cup chicken stock
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp chili garlic spice
Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200 °C. Toss bell peppers, sweetcorn, and jalapeño with olive oil and salt. Roast for 15 minutes until lightly charred.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, mushrooms, and garlic for a few minutes.
- Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, and chili garlic spice. Cook until fragrant, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the roasted vegetables, chopped tomatoes, chicken stock, and taco-mixed beans. Bring to a simmer.
- Place chicken breasts into the pot and cook uncovered for 15 minutes or until fully cooked.
- Remove chicken, shred with two forks, and return to the pot.
- Season to taste with salt, chili powder, or cumin as desired.
Notes
- Swap chicken with ground turkey, beef, or extra beans for a vegetarian version.
- Add other vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or sweet potatoes.
- Control spiciness by adjusting chili powder or removing jalapeño.
- Use pinto or cannellini beans if taco-mixed beans are unavailable.
- Store in fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat on stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of stock if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop and Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 55mg