Slow Cooker Double Play Chicken Chili
Hearty slow cooker chicken chili with black beans and smoky chipotle, perfect for easy weeknight dinners with a spicy kick. This mexican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 375 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed, (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 peppers, minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Transfer the onion and garlic to a slow cooker. Add 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, 2 minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 cup chicken broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Stir to combine all ingredients, cover, and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until chicken is tender and shreds easily.
- Step 4: Remove chicken thighs, shred with two forks, then return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir well. Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro on top before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Double Play Chicken Chili take to make?
Total time is about 375 minutes (15 min prep + 360 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow Cooker Double Play Chicken Chili?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Double Play Chicken Chili?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow Cooker Double Play Chicken Chili for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow Cooker Double Play Chicken Chili?
Mexican slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
