Chili is the perfect dish to warm you up on a cold day. With its blend of spices, hearty ingredients, and endless variations, it’s no wonder chili is a favorite comfort food. Below are 20 detailed chili recipes that are sure to add flavor and warmth to your table.
1. Classic Beef Chili



Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 1 can kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Heat a large pot over medium heat and brown the ground beef.
- Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Add diced tomatoes and kidney beans.
- Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Tip: For a richer flavor, toast the chili powder and cumin in a dry pan for 1-2 minutes before adding them to the pot. This enhances their aroma and depth.
2. Turkey and White Bean Chili



Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cans white beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Directions:
- Heat a large pot and cook ground turkey until browned.
- Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Stir in cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper.
- Add white beans and chicken broth.
- Simmer for 20-25 minutes.
Tip: Add a splash of lime juice at the end of cooking to brighten the flavors and balance the richness of the turkey and beans.
3. Vegetarian Black Bean Chili



Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
Directions:
- Heat olive oil in a pot and sauté onion and garlic until softened.
- Stir in smoked paprika and chili powder.
- Add black beans, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth.
- Simmer for 20 minutes.
Tip: Stir in a tablespoon of cocoa powder for a subtle earthy flavor that complements the smokiness of the paprika.
4. Spicy Chicken Chili



Ingredients:
- 1 lb cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a large pot.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes.
- Stir occasionally to blend flavors.
Tip: Use rotisserie chicken for a quick and flavorful shortcut. The pre-cooked chicken adds extra depth and saves time.
5. Pork and Green Chili



Ingredients:
- 1 lb diced pork
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups green enchilada sauce
- 1 can diced green chilies
- 1 tsp cumin
Directions:
- Sauté diced pork in a large pot until browned.
- Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Stir in green enchilada sauce, diced chilies, and cumin.
- Simmer for 30 minutes.
Tip: Sear the pork in small batches to ensure it gets a nice caramelized crust, which adds a deeper flavor to the chili.
6. Chipotle Sweet Potato Chili



Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 sweet potatoes (peeled and diced)
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (chopped)
Directions:
- Heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic.
- Add sweet potatoes, chipotle pepper, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth.
- Simmer for 30 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender.
Tip: Roast the sweet potatoes in the oven before adding them to the chili for a caramelized, slightly crispy texture.
7. Lentil Chili



Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried lentils
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 carrots (diced)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
Directions:
- Rinse lentils and set aside.
- Sauté onion and carrots in a large pot.
- Add chili powder, cumin, lentils, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth.
- Simmer for 30-40 minutes until lentils are tender.
Tip: Add a bay leaf while simmering to infuse a subtle herbal note. Remove it before serving.
8. White Chicken Chili



Ingredients:
- 1 lb cooked chicken (shredded)
- 2 cans white beans (drained)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can diced green chilies
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp oregano
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a large pot.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes.
Tip: Stir in a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt at the end for a creamy, tangy finish.
9. Texas-Style Chili



Ingredients:
- 2 lbs beef chuck (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (14 oz)
Directions:
- Heat a large pot and sear beef cubes until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté onion and garlic in the same pot until softened.
- Stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin.
- Add beef back into the pot, along with beef broth and crushed tomatoes.
- Simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender.
Tip: Use a combination of beef chuck and short ribs for a more complex, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
10. Quinoa and Black Bean Chili



Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa (rinsed)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp chili powder
Directions:
- Cook quinoa according to package instructions and set aside.
- Sauté onion and garlic in a pot until softened.
- Add chili powder, black beans, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth.
- Stir in cooked quinoa and simmer for 20 minutes.
Tip: Toast the quinoa in a dry pan before cooking it to bring out its nutty flavor.
11. Chili with Chocolate



Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 1 can kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 oz dark chocolate
Directions:
- Brown ground beef in a pot and remove excess grease.
- Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Stir in chili powder, cinnamon, diced tomatoes, and beans.
- Simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in dark chocolate until melted.
Tip: Use high-quality dark chocolate (70% or higher) for a more pronounced chocolate flavor without being overly sweet.
12. Seafood Chili



Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1/2 lb scallops
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Directions:
- Sauté onion and garlic in a pot until softened.
- Stir in smoked paprika and cayenne pepper.
- Add diced tomatoes and vegetable broth. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add shrimp and scallops, cooking until opaque (about 5 minutes).
Tip: Add the seafood (shrimp and scallops) in the last 5 minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking and keep them tender.
13. Pumpkin Turkey Chili



Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can pumpkin puree (15 oz)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Directions:
- Brown ground turkey in a large pot. Remove excess grease.
- Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Stir in pumpkin puree, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, chili powder, and cinnamon.
- Simmer for 20 minutes.
Tip: Add a pinch of nutmeg to enhance the pumpkin flavor and complement the cinnamon.
14. Vegetarian Lentil Sweet Potato Chili



Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried lentils
- 2 sweet potatoes (diced)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Directions:
- Sauté onion in a large pot until softened.
- Add lentils, sweet potatoes, cumin, and smoked paprika.
- Stir in diced tomatoes and vegetable broth.
- Simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender.
Tip: Mash a small portion of the cooked sweet potatoes to thicken the chili naturally.
15. Spicy Sausage Chili



Ingredients:
- 1 lb spicy Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 1 can pinto beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 tsp chili powder
Directions:
- Brown sausage in a large pot and remove excess grease.
- Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Stir in chili powder, diced tomatoes, and pinto beans.
- Simmer for 25 minutes.
Tip: Use a mix of spicy and mild sausage to control the heat level while maintaining flavor.
16. Buffalo Chicken Chili



Ingredients:
- 1 lb cooked chicken (shredded)
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 can white beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
Directions:
- Combine chicken, buffalo sauce, beans, chicken broth, and celery in a pot.
- Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Serve topped with blue cheese.
Tip: Serve with extra buffalo sauce on the side for those who want an extra kick.
17. Beer Chili



Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 1 can kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 bottle dark beer (12 oz)
- 1 tbsp chili powder
Directions:
- Brown ground beef in a large pot. Remove excess grease.
- Add onion, garlic, and chili powder, cooking until softened.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, beans, and beer.
- Simmer for 30 minutes.
Tip: Use a stout or porter for a deeper, maltier flavor that pairs well with the beef and beans.
18. Coconut Curry Chili



Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can coconut milk (14 oz)
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Directions:
- Cook ground chicken in a pot until browned.
- Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Stir in curry powder, cayenne pepper, and coconut milk.
- Simmer for 25 minutes.
Tip: Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime to balance the richness of the coconut milk.
19. Zucchini Chili



Ingredients:
- 2 medium zucchinis (diced)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 1 can kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 cup vegetable broth
Directions:
- Sauté onion and zucchini in a pot until softened.
- Stir in chili powder, diced tomatoes, beans, and vegetable broth.
- Simmer for 20 minutes.
Tip: Grate the zucchini instead of dicing it for a smoother texture that blends seamlessly into the chili.
20. Chorizo Chili



Ingredients:
- 1 lb chorizo (crumbled)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Directions:
- Brown chorizo in a pot and remove excess grease.
- Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Stir in smoked paprika, diced tomatoes, and black beans.
- Simmer for 25 minutes.
Tip: Remove the chorizo casing and crumble it finely for a more even distribution of flavor throughout the chili.
Conclusion
These 20 chili recipes provide a variety of options, from traditional meat-based chilis to creative vegetarian and seafood versions. Packed with bold flavors and hearty ingredients, these recipes are perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a party or just warming up on a chilly day. Give them a try and enjoy the comfort of a homemade chili that suits your taste!