Zesty Southwestern Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
Indulge in a hearty, flavorsome bowl of Zesty Southwestern Slow Cooker Chicken Chili that brings the comforting taste of chicken enchiladas straight to your dining table. This easy-to-prepare dish is loaded with tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and zesty spices, all simmered to perfection in a slow cooker. With just a few steps, you can create a wholesome, low-cholesterol meal that is sure to please the whole family. Garnish with fresh cilantro, cheese, and sour cream for a delightful finishing touch. Perfect for cozy nights, this chili brings warmth and flavor to every spoonful.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Vegetable oil
3 tablespoons (Heat over medium-high until shimmering.)
White onions
2 large (Chopped medium.)
Red bell peppers
2 (Chopped medium.)
Chili powder
2 tablespoons (Adjust to taste.)
Cumin
1 tablespoon (Ground.)
Mexican oregano
3 tablespoons (Dried.)
Chicken broth
1/4 cup (For deglazing.)
Corn
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (Drained.)
Black beans
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (Drained and rinsed.)
Tomato sauce
2 (29 ounce) cans (Canned.)
Diced tomatoes (chili-ready)
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans (Canned.)
Hot red chili pepper
1 whole (Or 1 jalapeno pepper, minced.)
Cilantro
1 cup (Chopped.)
Boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 lbs (Left whole.)
Salt
1 teaspoon (For seasoning.)
Shredded cheese
To garnish (Optional.)
Sour cream
To garnish (Optional.)
Diced onion
To garnish (Optional.)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
2
Add the chopped onions and bell peppers, sautéing until they become tender, about 6-8 minutes.
3
Stir in the chili powder, cumin, and Mexican oregano, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4
Deglaze the pan with the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
5
Transfer the sautéed mixture into the slow cooker.
6
Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, drained corn, black beans, salt, and the whole chili pepper to the slow cooker. Mix everything well to combine.
7
Carefully nestle the whole chicken breasts into the mixture, ensuring they are submerged.
8
Cover and cook on low for approximately 4.5 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
9
Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the chili.
10
Stir in the chopped cilantro and continue cooking for another 30 minutes on low.
11
Serve hot, garnished with shredded cheese, sour cream, and diced onions. For added fun, include tortilla chips for scooping!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Southwestern Slow Cooker Chicken Chili?
It is a hearty and flavorsome chicken chili that mimics the taste of chicken enchiladas, prepared easily in a slow cooker with tender chicken, vegetables, and zesty spices.
How long does it take to cook the chicken in the slow cooker?
The chicken breasts should be cooked on the low setting for approximately 4.5 hours until they are tender and fully cooked.
What are the primary vegetables used in this chili?
The primary vegetables include two large white onions, two red bell peppers, corn, and black beans.
How should I prepare the chicken for the chili?
The chicken breasts are placed whole into the slow cooker to cook, then removed and shredded using two forks before being returned to the pot.
What spices give this chili its Southwestern flavor?
The flavor profile is created using a combination of chili powder, ground cumin, and dried Mexican oregano.
Is this chicken chili recipe healthy?
Yes, it is described as a wholesome, low-cholesterol meal that is perfect for families.
Should I sauté the vegetables before adding them to the slow cooker?
Yes, you should sauté the chopped onions and red bell peppers in vegetable oil for 6-8 minutes until tender before transferring them to the slow cooker.
What is the purpose of the chicken broth in this recipe?
A small amount of chicken broth (1/4 cup) is used to deglaze the skillet, helping to scrape up the flavorful browned bits after sautéing the vegetables and spices.
When do I add the cilantro to the chili?
The chopped cilantro should be stirred into the slow cooker after the chicken has been shredded and returned to the mixture.
How much chicken is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts.
Can I make this chili spicy?
Yes, you can include one whole hot red chili pepper or substitute it with a minced jalapeno pepper to add heat.
What types of canned tomato products are needed?
You will need two 29 ounce cans of tomato sauce and two 14.5 ounce cans of chili-ready diced tomatoes.
How should the black beans be prepared before adding?
The black beans should be drained and rinsed before being added to the slow cooker.
What are the recommended garnishes for serving?
It is best served hot, garnished with shredded cheese, sour cream, and diced onions.
Do I need to cook the chili longer after adding the cilantro?
Yes, after adding the cilantro and shredded chicken, continue cooking on low for an additional 30 minutes.
Is the corn used in the recipe fresh or canned?
The recipe specifies using one 14.5 ounce can of corn, which should be drained.
What type of oil should be used for sautéing?
The recipe recommends using 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
Can I adjust the amount of chili powder?
Yes, the 2 tablespoons of chili powder can be adjusted to your personal taste preference.
What is the texture of the finished chicken?
The chicken becomes very tender after slow cooking, allowing it to be easily shredded into a soft, pulled texture.
Are the bell peppers chopped finely or medium?
The red bell peppers should be chopped to a medium size.
How much Mexican oregano is used?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of dried Mexican oregano.
Can I serve this with tortilla chips?
Yes, serving with tortilla chips for scooping is a recommended 'added fun' way to enjoy the meal.
Do I need to chop the chicken before cooking?
No, the chicken breasts are left whole during the initial slow cooking phase and shredded later.
What size onions are recommended?
Two large white onions, chopped medium, are recommended for this recipe.
How much cumin is needed?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of ground cumin.
What should the heat be when sautéing the spices?
The spices should be stirred in and cooked for 1-2 minutes over medium-high heat until they become fragrant.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 18 total ingredients, including the various garnishes.
Is salt added for seasoning?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of salt is added to the slow cooker mixture for seasoning.
Can I use frozen corn or black beans?
While the recipe specifies canned versions, you can substitute with equivalent amounts of frozen corn or soaked dried beans if preferred.
What is the main flavor profile of this dish?
It is described as a zesty, southwestern flavor profile that provides warmth and comfort.