When autumn rolls around, nothing quite hits the spot like a steaming bowl of chili. If you’re looking to break out of your culinary rut, I’ve got you covered with these 17 wildly unique and tasty chili recipes.
From creamy to meaty to totally vegan, there’s a flavor adventure waiting for every palate.
1. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili
Can’t decide between barbecue and chili? Now, you do not have to choose because this dish delivers both!
This bowl is stuffed with tastes you want thanks to BBQ sauce and pulled pork. The canned tomatoes, beans, broth, and chili then turn this into the comforting meal you crave.
You can leave it all in the slow cooker for an easy, perfectly seasoned, fork-tender dinner.
2. Chilli Con Carne
Chilli Con Carne is brimming with the rich taste of “meat”. To be more exact, this dish utilizes a pound of beef!
There is also a can of red kidney beans added to the mix. Purists might suggest it should not have any beans, but it is nevertheless, great.
It bursts with strong and robust flavors because of the blend of Tex-Mex spices and beef bouillon cubes.
3. Chorizo Sweet Potato Chili
Here is another extremely chunky chili that you need to experience. It just takes 35 minutes to throw together and is Whole30 and Paleo friendly.
You will want it over and over again because of the perfect pairing between the sweet potato, spicy chorizo, and salty bacon. When serving, top with sour cream, avocado, and green onions.
4. Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Chickpea Chili
This chili is my favorite dish to prepare whenever I am craving Mexican cuisine but want to eat healthily! This slow cooker chicken contains every flavor that I long for, such as shredded chicken, lime, and verde salsa.
The quinoa, corn, and chickpeas ensure this dish is nutritious, in addition to zesty and fresh. This slow cooker recipe makes healthy eating simple.
5. Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
This incredibly comforting chicken chili is extremely creamy and cheesy. Ranch dressing mix and only three other spices are needed, making the seasoning simple to perfect.
A great deal of chicken, corn, and black beans balance out the cream cheese, which is rather decadent. It only needs a few ingredients, unlike other chilis.
6. Instant Pot Short Rib Black Bean Chili
This one is likely my favorite on the entire list because it is meaty and complex.
To make it warming and tasty, a whole two pounds of juicy short ribs are mixed up with crushed tomatoes, semi-sweet chocolate, and coconut aminos. Hiding in there are poblanos, bell pepper, and black beans, even though it may be hard to tell because of all of that meat.
7. Butternut Squash Chipotle Chili with Avocado
This is the way you should make vegetarian chili!
It is just as hearty as any meat-filled recipe due to the mess of spices, canned tomatoes, black beans, and sweet chunks of butternut squash. However, the fresh cilantro, tortilla strips, and avocado topping really sell it.
8. Bacon Bison Chili
You will go crazy over this dish if you love thick and meaty chili. Chunks of lean bison, chunky vegetables, and smoked bacon simmer in canned tomatoes until extremely tender. With no broth to thin it down, it’s packed with huge, succulent bites.
Fortunately, it’s also incredibly simple to make. To prepare, just simmer, sauté the ingredients, and wait (if you are able to!).
9. Smoky Chipotle Chili
The smoky taste of chipotle goes great with chili! The beans, ground beef, and pork become more complex because another layer of depth is added.
In the morning, throw it all together in the Crockpot for a savory, spicy, and garlicky dinner waiting when you arrive home. What could be easier than that?
10. Beluga Lentil Chili
Is today one of those days where pantry staples are needed? Great! You can prepare this vegan chili.
On their own, lentils do not have much pizzazz, but once the tomato sauce and spices are combined, that all changes. If you have some new additions, feel free to add those as a topping. Otherwise, these plant-based components hold up just great on their own.
11. Cincinnati Turkey Chili Spaghetti Squash Boats
I know you will adore this version of Cincinnati chili.
Each tender baked squash overflows with black bean turkey chili and gooey cheese on top for an amazing addition. It is healthier and tastes great, since the squash is a great alternative to normal spaghetti.
12. Butternut Squash & Black Bean Chili
You will have no guilt while enjoying this healthy vegan chili during the entire winter season. With the sweet butternut squash and earthy black beans integrated, it is extremely hearty.
Give it additional flavor by adding a few teaspoons of cocoa powder. You can believe me, you will adore it!
13. Moroccan Lamb Chili with Sweet Potatoes, Chickpeas, and Kale
Give this tantalizing Moroccan lamb chili a try if you are searching for something meaty, unique, and filling! It has some class in addition to being thick and spicy.
It calls for harissa paste, which is different from other American chili dishes. Because of this, it is extremely flavorful but extremely spicy, so be careful when using it!
14. 15 Bean Slow Cooker Chili
There is no questioning that 15 bean chili is a delicious dish, regardless of if you believe in no-bean or bean chili. Instead of needing to have 15 distinct cans, just put a pre-packaged bean soup mix into the slow cooker.
The broth, bell peppers, onions, and ground beef come next. Then, give it a simmer and add the canned tomatoes. So yummy!
15. Easy Quinoa Chili
Do you have a bag of quinoa glaring back at you from inside the pantry?
This simple quinoa recipe integrates fresh cilantro and corn with a number of pantry must-haves to make vegetarian chili for a quick meal. Furthermore, it is both adjustable and foolproof.
16. White Bean Turkey Chili
There are numerous ways to prepare white chili, but this one might be my absolute favorite! There are plenty of lean and fresh components, along with a creamy and spicy flavor.
In addition to white beans, it increases the protein by doubling down with turkey. Five cloves of garlic add to the flavor.
Utilize leftover turkey if you have it and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to make it even more nutritious. When serving, do not hold back on the toppings!
17. Decadent Vegan Chocolate Chili
If you’ve had mole before, you will totally understand this recipe, even though chocolate chili might sound a little weird. The secret is selecting the right kind of chocolate; you do not want milk, white, or semi-sweet chocolate.
Find dark chocolate with at least 60% cacao. Combine it with the spice blend, red chilies, passata, and liquid smoke for a really complex chili.