Healthy Chicken Chili Recipe with Fresh Vegetables | Eat Better Recipes (2024)

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by Diane

The freshness of this healthy chicken chili recipe really comes through! This chili is loaded with vegetables and super clean tasting, without compromising on flavor.

Healthy Chicken Chili Recipe with Fresh Vegetables | Eat Better Recipes (2)

Healthy Chicken Chili Recipe

Yes, chili can be healthier and leaner without all the calories! Chicken chili is always the cleaner option for protein when it comes to chili. Sometimes people think that chili should be made with beef or pork because the fat brings more flavor. But if you’re counting calories and don’t want all the fat, using chicken breast is much leaner. All the spices we add in our recipe along with all the fresh vegetables really brings outstanding flavor to the chicken and you never feel like you’re missing out when you’re eating healthy chili.

Video: for Low Carb Chicken Chili Recipe

Healthy Chicken Chili Recipe with Fresh Vegetables | Eat Better Recipes (3)

Best Toppings for Chili?

It’s very possible to have a big bowl of fresh and healthy chili without feeling all the guilt! Or if you want to indulge a bit we have some ideas for you:

  • Low fat sour cream: add a sensible dollop of low fat sour cream
  • Non fat greek yogurt: you can still enjoy the creamy tang by using yogurt. And you get yoru probiotics too!
  • Add a sprinkle of low fat cheese or you can use non-fat, or vegan cheese.
  • Bed of fresh lettuce or greens. Serve this chili on a bed of fresh chopped greens or arugula.
  • If you really want to make this super low carb, you can omit the beans. Add more vegetables to place the beans and it’s still a hearty vegetarian meal!
  • Chicken chili salad is definitely one of our favorite healthy ways to enjoy this dish. Enjoy!

Healthy Chicken Chili Recipe with Fresh Vegetables | Eat Better Recipes (4)

FRESH & HEALTHY CHICKEN CHILI

Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 40 minutes mins

Total Time: 50 minutes mins

Simmering the chili on low for 20-30 minutes will really bring out the flavors, but it will be on the thick side. If you prefer it less thick, add additional water during the simmer to the thickness that you want.

4.93 from 14 votes

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Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
  • 1 medium (1 medium) onion , minced
  • 3 cloves (3 cloves) Garlic , minced
  • 1 pound (340 g) chicken breast or cutlets , cut into small bite sized pieces.
  • 2 large (454 g) fresh tomatoes , small dice
  • 2 Tablespoons (85 g) tomato paste
  • 1 cup (240 ml) water
  • 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) kosher salt or sea salt, or more to taste
  • 1 cup (425 g) canned black beans , drained
  • 2 stalks (2 stalks) celery , small dice
  • 1 large (1 large) bell pepper , small dice

Instructions

  • Heat a large pan, add oil, minced onions and garlic. Cook the onions and garlic until they are transluscent.Add chicken and cook it until it becomes white on the outside.

  • Add the fresh tomatoes, tomato paste, water, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and salt. Stir to combine well, then allow to come to simmer. Cook for about 2 minutes.

  • Add black beans, celery, and bell pepper. Stir all the ingredients. If it's too thick, add a little more water.Bring to a boil, then immediately lower heat and bring to a low simmer.

  • Continue simmering the chili for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, for the flavors to combine.Keep cooking the chili until it becomes your desired consistency.

  • (optional) If you want to indulge, add a small dollop of low fat sour cream and sprinkle of low fat cheese!

Video

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 135kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 36mg, Sodium: 518mg, Potassium: 572mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 1866IU, Vitamin C: 36mg, Calcium: 40mg, Iron: 2mg

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Gluten-free, Low Carb, Paleo

Calories: 135

  • This recipe was originally published in 2018 and re-published in 2020 with updated video.
  • Check out more healthy recipes here.
  • Enjoy this healthy air fryer chicken and broccoli “stir fry”
  • here’s our popular skillet lemon pepper chicken

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posted in: 30 Minute Recipes, Appetizers, Chicken Recipes, Easy Meals, Game Day | Party, Gluten Free, Healthy, Low Carb, Main Dishes | Entree, One Pot Dishes, Paleo, Soups | Stews 12 comments

Healthy Chicken Chili Recipe with Fresh Vegetables | Eat Better Recipes (5)

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Leave a Reply

    12 Comments on “Healthy and Fresh Chicken Chili”

  1. Betty Reply

    This is great camping food! It also keeps you full!

  2. Moary Reply

    This chili is going to be on my regular rotation. So good! And I freeze the extras for a quick lunch.

    • EatBetter Reply

      We’re so happy it’s your go-to chili recipe. Thank you!

  3. Margaret Reply

    We made this and it was so quick to cook! Added them on top of baked potatoes and the whole family loved it.

  4. Frankie Reply

    This is the only chili recipe that doesn’t give me heart burn. Seriously, it’s so much lighter with the chicken and the flavors are great.

    • EatBetter Reply

      Wow that’s good to know! Chicken is so much lighter so it makes sense that there’s less heart burn when eating it.

  5. Moses Brodin Reply

    Looks so delicious! I love how easy this chicken chili recipe is.

  6. Hannah Flack Reply

    this was wonderful! Thank you for sharing all these tips and recipes..really helps those of us without the create gene;)

  7. Jane Reply

    I love how delicious and healthy this chicken chili recipe is. I added some extra veggies. My kids love it.

  8. Chef G Reply

    It was GREAT,TASTY. Added mushroom. I also would cut back on the Cumin

  9. Pingback: Jalapeno Popper Dip Recipe Low Carb KETO | Eat Better Recipes

  10. Pingback: Roast Chicken Recipe w/ Lemon Garlic Herbs JUICY | Eat Better Recipes

Healthy Chicken Chili Recipe with Fresh Vegetables | Eat Better Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What veggies to put in chicken chili? ›

Vegetables - sweet onion, green onions, yellow bell pepper, jalapeno. Seasonings - garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper. Cans - Cannellini Beans, Northern White Beans, Pinto Beans, Sweet Yellow Corn, White Corn, Green Chiles.

What to add to chili to make it healthier? ›

Stir in Some Beans

Instead, use beans in your healthy chili to add fiber and stretch your dish healthfully and inexpensively. You can use one type of beans, such as kidney beans or black beans, or mix several types for a variety.

Is chicken chili good for health? ›

Spicy Chicken helps in breaking down the fats in foods. The spices also boost heart health. Hence, it might be said that it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases like type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

Can homemade chili be healthy? ›

Chili can be healthy, with qualifiers. The iconic dish—typically made with ground meat, tomatoes, kidney beans, and seasonings—is packed with protein, fiber (thanks, beans!), and iron. This makes chili relatively healthy, provided you don't get too carried away with high-fat toppings like sour cream and cheddar cheese.

Is chili healthy for weight loss? ›

Helps with weight loss

Other studies show that chili peppers can increase metabolism and help you burn off the calories you do eat. While eating them by themselves may not lead to a significant change in your weight, using them with your doctor-approved weight loss plan may help you see results more quickly.

Can I eat chilli chicken during fat loss? ›

Chicken chili can be a healthy and satisfying option for weight loss. Focus on lean protein, vegetables, and minimal added fats. Watch portion sizes and complement it with a well-rounded diet.

Which chili is the healthiest? ›

“Look for chilis that use turkey, tofu, chicken or beans,” suggested RDN Bianca Tamburello. “Those are leaner proteins that typically have less saturated fat than chili made with beef or pork.” Sodium content can be an issue with canned food, so it's important to check out how much is in your chili.

Is it okay to eat chili everyday? ›

Therefore, you should eat spicy 2-3 times / week and eat with intermittent frequency. Eating too much spicy causes heat in the body Using a lot of chili with a regular frequency along with a high degree of spicy can cause mouth ulcers or boils, burning in the anus as well as other organs..

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What is the magic ingredient for chili? ›

Coffee. A cup of strong, brewed coffee will work wonders for your pot of chili, imparting a deep, roasted flavor that will make the chili taste like it simmered away all day long.

What makes chili taste better? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

What can you put in chili besides beans? ›

Replacing up to 2 cups chopped vegetables is a great choice and one of the best substitutes – Cauliflower florets, broccoli florets, bell pepper, white or portobello mushrooms, sweet peas or split peas, carrots, zucchini or butternut squash.

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