Side angle shot of Slow Cooker Summer Chicken Chili in a white bowl

I know. When you think of chili, you think of sweatshirts and changing leaves and football games and chai lattes and pumpkin ALL THE THINGS, not the middle of summertime. But if you really think about, chili is actually the perfect summer meal! Let me explain.

Think about all the ingredients in chiliโ€”peppers, tomatoes, onions, fresh herbsโ€”all items that are currently being produced by the literal truckload at your local farm. They are at their most flavorful, most fresh, and most affordable! So of course summer is the perfect time to make chili!

Overhead shot of ingredients for Slow Cooker Summer Chicken Chili - tomatoes, beans, rice, onions, peppers

Overhead shot of Slow Cooker Summer Chicken Chili in a slow cooker basin

The result is a hearty, yet light, version of the winter classic. The flavors are brilliant and vibrant thanks to the abundance of vine-ripened tomatoes, spicy peppers, and fresh herbs. The use of chicken in place of heavier red meat keeps the soup feeling summer-y while still giving it that stick-to-your-ribs feeling that chili is known for.

And since it is all pulled together in the slow cooker, there is no need to heat up your kitchen by using the stove. Which is always a win in my books in the middle of summer.

Close up shot of Slow Cooker Summer Chicken Chili in a white bowl

Because the broth for the chili is a little bit thinner than the standard heavy chili baseโ€”this could be considering more of a chili soupโ€”I like to serve mine over a bed of brown rice. The rice soaks up the sauce and adds a nice hearty grain to the mix.

You could also put it over cauliflower rice, quinoa, noodles, or mashed potatoesโ€”or, if you prefer a thicker chili, just use a slotted spoon to serve.

Overhead shot of Slow Cooker Summer Chicken Chili in a white bowl with a metal spoon

If you are still a little concerned about serving chili in the middle of the summer, all you have to do is serve it alongside a cold frozen margarita. Balance at its finest. Enjoy!

Side angle shot of Slow Cooker Summer Chicken Chili in a white bowl

Slow Cooker Summer Chicken Chili

Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes

A chili may seem out of place in hot weather, until you remember that all the ingredients are at their peak in the summer. Slow Cooker Summer Chicken Chili is a hearty, yet light, version of the winter classic.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1 14-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 14-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 10 ounces frozen corn
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 green pepper, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeno, seeds removed, finely diced (plus more if you like more of a kick)
  • 2 pounds fresh tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons cumin
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound total)
  • Cooked brown rice, for serving
  • Shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and other chili toppings, for serving

Instructions

  1. Combine tomato sauce, pinto beans, black beans, corn, onion, bell pepper, garlic, jalapeno, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper in the basin of a large slow cooker. Place chicken breasts on top and close slow cooker.
  2. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 8-10. Thirty minutes before serving, remove chicken and shred using two forks. Return to chili and stir well.
  3. Spoon chili over cooked brown rice, and top with your favorite chili toppings.

Notes

You could also serve the chili over cauliflower rice, quinoa, noodles, or mashed potatoesโ€”or, if you prefer a thicker chili, just use a slotted spoon to serve.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 serving
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 364Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 844mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 9gSugar: 8gProtein: 26g

At Wholefully, we believe that good nutrition is about much more than just the numbers on the nutrition facts panel. Please use the above information as only a small part of what helps you decide what foods are nourishing for you.

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32 Comments

  1. Hi!
    I want to try this recipe but my daughter is vegetarian. If I do it without the chicken, how long should I cook it in the slow cooker?
    Thanks!
    Irene

    1. Hi, Irene! If you’d like to make this vegetarian, we’d recommend adding more beans and keeping the cook time the same. Let us know how it turns out for you!

  2. This recipe is delicious! Weโ€™ve made it five times this summer already, it just seems to be the perfect summer blend. Itโ€™s variable too; I double the chicken to two pounds and use boneless skinless thighs. Once, our shopper bought a poblano instead of a jalapeรฑo and weโ€™ve been using poblano ever since in this recipe. We just add the extra heat with hot sauce before serving.

  3. Chili or other spicy ingredients are not so bad for hot summer days. It makes you sweat but this is good for your health. Anyway great and delicious looking meal.

  4. Oh wow, this looks great. Chilli is something I love about winter – having a summer-appropriate recipe is wonderful. I’ll definitely be putting extra jalapeรฑo in mine!

  5. This chili is in my slow cooker as we speak and smells delicious! I can’t wait to have some tonight!! Thanks for the recipe, enjoying the blog!

  6. Now I’m wanting some chili..this looks fabulous, Cassie..and with the temps we’re having now, it would be perfect…