
Savor the Comforting Heat of 20-Minute Chipotle Chicken Chili
Embark on a warming flavor journey with this 20-Minute Chipotle Chicken Chili recipe, where smoky chipotle peppers, tender chicken, and hearty beans come together in a quick and satisfying dish. This chili blends bold Southwestern spices with a touch of heat, delivering comfort in every spoonful while staying easy enough for busy weeknights.
Whether you’re looking for a hearty dinner after a long day or a dish to impress guests at a casual gathering, this recipe captures the essence of comfort food with a fiery twist. Perfect for meal prep, game nights, or cozy family dinners, it’s a meal that proves delicious doesn’t have to take hours. Ready to bring the smoky taste of chipotle into your kitchen? Let’s dive into this wholesome and utterly rewarding recipe.
Flavorful and Smoky: Your New Go-To Chipotle Chicken Chili
This 20-Minute Chipotle Chicken Chili recipe doesn’t just save time—it amplifies flavor. The combination of peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes, and adobo-seasoned chipotle creates a smoky, spicy base. Tender chicken and beans add protein and heartiness, while a variety of toppings allow you to customize each bowl.
Not just a quick dinner, this chili showcases how everyday ingredients can transform into something special in minutes. The best part? You can easily adjust the spice level, swap in different vegetables, or even use turkey or beef if chicken isn’t on hand.
Here’s how you can achieve a rich, hearty chili in just 20 minutes, complete with tips to ensure every bite is satisfying.
Serving suggestions: Pair with warm cornbread, tortilla chips, or a crisp green salad for a balanced meal.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Chipotle Chicken Chili
- Balance the Heat: Chipotle peppers add smokiness and spice. Use fewer for mild chili or more for extra heat.
- Choose Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: They provide depth and a subtle sweetness that balances the smoky peppers.
- Add Beans Wisely: Use two different beans for variety in flavor and texture. Pinto and kidney work beautifully.
- Layer the Flavors: Sauté onions and peppers thoroughly before adding liquids to deepen the chili’s taste.
- Customize Toppings: Add avocado, cheese, cilantro, or sour cream to create a personalized bowl of chili.

20-Minute Chipotle Chicken Chili Recipe
- Preparation time: 5 minutes
- Cooking time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Equipment: Large stockpot, wooden spoon, sharp knife, cutting board
With this quick chili recipe, you’ll have a pot of smoky, hearty comfort food ready in no time, perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium white onion, peeled and diced
- 1 poblano pepper, cored and diced
- 1 red bell pepper, cored and diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 chipotles in adobo, roughly chopped
- 4 cups chicken stock (preferably low sodium)
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 2 (15-ounce) cans beans, rinsed and drained (pinto and kidney recommended)
- 1 (15-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: diced avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, red onion, tortilla chips
Directions:
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add onion, poblano, and bell pepper. Cook for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and translucent.
- Add Garlic and Chipotle: Stir in minced garlic and chopped chipotles. Cook for 1 minute, stirring often, until fragrant.
- Incorporate Liquids and Protein: Add chicken stock, shredded chicken, beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and cumin. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
- Simmer the Chili: Cover and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue simmering for at least 5 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
- Taste and Season: Add salt and black pepper as needed. Adjust chipotle for spice if you prefer extra heat.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with toppings of choice such as avocado, cheese, or cilantro. Serve hot with tortilla chips or bread.
Ready to Relish!
This 20-Minute Chipotle Chicken Chili delivers bold flavor, hearty texture, and comforting warmth in a fraction of the time traditional chili requires. With smoky undertones from chipotle and satisfying protein from beans and chicken, it’s the perfect quick-fix recipe for chilly evenings, meal prep, or gatherings.
Enjoy it steaming hot with your favorite toppings and sides. Once you try this recipe, you’ll see that a quick chili can still taste slow-simmered and deeply flavorful.
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20-Minute Chipotle Chicken Chili
With this quick chili recipe, you’ll have a pot of smoky, hearty comfort food ready in no time, perfect for weeknights.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
1 tablespoon avocado oil or extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium white onion, peeled and diced
1 poblano pepper, cored and diced
1 red bell pepper, cored and diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 chipotles in adobo, roughly chopped
4 cups chicken stock (preferably low sodium)
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
2 (15-ounce) cans beans, rinsed and drained (pinto and kidney recommended)
1 (15-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 teaspoons ground cumin
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional toppings: diced avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, red onion, tortilla chips
Instructions
-
Sauté Aromatics: Heat oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add onion, poblano, and bell pepper. Cook for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and translucent.
-
Add Garlic and Chipotle: Stir in minced garlic and chopped chipotles. Cook for 1 minute, stirring often, until fragrant.
-
Incorporate Liquids and Protein: Add chicken stock, shredded chicken, beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and cumin. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
-
Simmer the Chili: Cover and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue simmering for at least 5 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
-
Taste and Season: Add salt and black pepper as needed. Adjust chipotle for spice if you prefer extra heat.
-
Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with toppings of choice such as avocado, cheese, or cilantro. Serve hot with tortilla chips or bread.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes