Do you know that fine line between being “hungry” and being “so freaking hungry you can’t even see straight and god help those people who are around you if they do the slightest thing to upset you because your blood sugar is low and you don’t even want to think about what you might do?” We call that “hangry’ because you’re hungry and angry. And it’s a serious problem. This happened the other day. It wasn’t pretty. But let’s just say that I am 100% certain had it not been for this Smoky Chipotle Chicken Chili, things might have gotten a little out of hand.
Lucky for me, I whipped up a giant batch of the chili and it saved the day. Along with a big pile of grated cheese. Because I’ve never encountered a problem that couldn’t be solved with cheese. Never.
Do you wanna know what else is weird? Thomas didn’t think that there should be beans in Chili? What? Who is he? Where does he come from? I posed this question to all my friends over on Facebook and basically 99% of them said chili absolutely positively had to have beans. The 1% that disagreed was Thomas’ brother. And he’s biased. So I’m sticking with all you guys and keeping my beans in chili.
Chili is just the perfect 1 pot meal for basically any time of the year when it’s a bit chilly out. Especially on days where there is football to be watched. You can just make a giant pot of it, leave it on the stove, and let people serve themselves as they want. Throw out a “toppings” bar complete with guacamole, avocado, cheese, scallions, sour cream and all that jazz and you’ve basically just made everyone in your house happy.
Okay now let’s talk specifics about this chili. You could easily make it with ground beef, but I was feeling the ground chicken. White or dark meat works, but I’m partial to dark meat because it has more flavor. I also add in some chipotle chili peppers and some of the adobo sauce it comes in, to give this chili a nice smoky finish. It gives it a kind of heat that it’s too crazy, but it just leaves your mouth tingling a wee bite and it certainly makes you want more. The amount of chipotles in the recipe isn’t anything crazy, so if you’re super duper into hot stuff, maybe add another chipotle or two. And if you end up adding too much, just mix in some more guacamole or sour cream to tone things down a bit.
And there ya have it!! An easy chili recipe that is sure to knock your socks off. Trust me. Even Thomas, who told me he never liked chili with beans, loved it. And I’ve officially converted him to a chili with beans kinda guy. Smoky Chipotle Chicken Chili with Black Beans to be exact.
Ingredients
Instructions
p.s. if you want to make this a day ahead of time that is 100% totally okay. This recipe actually gets better the next day because the flavors have had time to mingle and get to know each other. I just cook it according to the directions and then let it cool completely Place the dutch oven lid on top and stick the whole thing in your refrigerator. Then, when it’s about 1 hour before game time, throw it onto the stove over medium low heat and heat it up. Bingo. You’re ready to eat!
Want some more Chili?! Here are some other awesome recipes:
Jeanette’s Healthy Living: Crock Pot Cincinnati Chicken Chili
The Heritage Cook: Gluten-Free Green Chile and Chicken Taco Bowls
The Cultural Dish: Crock-Pot Chili
Big Girls, Small Kitchen: Healthy Chicken Chili With Barley
Feed Me Phoebe: Chicken and White Bean Chili
Dishin & Dishes: Lean Mean Game-Day Chili
The Lemon Bowl: Beef Chili With Black Beans
Devour: 4 Twists on Chili for the Super Bowl
Thursday Night Dinner: 3 Most Favorite Chili Recipes
Mooshu Jenne: Pinto Bean Chili
FN Dish: 7 Chili Recipes for the Big Game
Tags: Chicken Chili, chili with black beans, Chipotle Chicken Chili, homemade chili recipe, Smoky Chicken Chili, Smoky Chipotle Chicken Chili, Smoky Chipotle Chicken Chili recipe, superbowl chili
I heart chili- beans or no beans!
Chili definitely needs at least some beans. This sounds great!
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Ugggg. I hate being that hungry. I turn into a monster! Love the chili!
Gaby, this recipe is perfect for game day or any time at all!
Beans are an ESSENTIAL part of chili. In fact, my kids like a 3-bean chili that I make. Try that on for size, Tom. =)
Looks so good with all those toppings!
This bowl of goodness looks absolutely delicious!!! What a perfect dish for a cold winter’s day!
HANGRY. That is the best thing I have heard in so long! I get majorly Hangry all the time- as do my daughters. My husband does not understand “low-blood sugar” but now I have a technical term to share with him! Chili looks incredible. Go beans!!
Beans are a must and I love all things chipotle. Yummers!
That is one tasty looking chicken chili!
Yes! That is totally how I get. I love the chipotle in this chili.
I would love a big bowl of this right now!!
I think beans in chili is a MUST. It keeps me fuller, too, and gives the chili more texture and flavor and creaminess. It’s basically a win-win and Thomas & his brother are losing right now haha
serve me up a large bowl, please!
I grew up in the midwest where it is not uncommon for people to eat chili with no beans and with some sort of pasta. I’ve had people tell me that this is actually “chili-mac” or “goulash” (but as I understand legit goulash is not really even close to what I’m talking about)…over the years I’ve converted my previously “without-beans-with-pasta” recipe into a hodge podge of about four/five different chili recipes and now it DOES have beans AND pasta
So I’ll eat chili any way. But I promise, he’s not crazy; people really do eat it like that!
Love the guac on top!
Mmmm. I love chili,and the more beans the better! I’m going to make a huge pot and freeze the leftovers for those times I get home from work late and am too ”hangry” to make something! This will hit the spot.
Gaby!! I make chili almost as much as I make cookies, no doubt yours will be made very soon! Delish
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Chipotles are a “must-have” ingredient for chili in our house. The smokiness adds such a great depth of flavor. I could eat several bowls of this!
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Chili should always have beans! Though, it doesn’t always have to have meat
This chili looks pretty amazing! Wow, I must try some. Perfect for the Super Bowl.
I know that lots of people don’t like chili with beans, but I’ll never understand it – they’re my favorite part! This flavor combination looks fantastic. I love the smokiness of chipotle!
I saw your recipe at SimpleBites and had to stop by. I love it. Recipe saved!
Omg, hangry! I’m so stealing that term1
I totally get hangry on a regular basis. And it’s not pretty when it happens. Thank goodness for saviors like this delicious-looking chili!
Beans and chili go together like peanut butter and jelly. They are meant for each other! And I love the addition of chipotle peppers in this chili recipe.
No need to convert me, just looking at your pics makes me hungry!
I’m so not fun to be around when hunger strikes, so I try and keep it at bay as much as possible. This chili looks gorgeous, Gaby!
Just made this for supper – its absolutely delicious!! Thanks for sharing.
Just curious as to how many servings this makes? I’m trying to figure out the nutritional values per serving, and will gladly share once all calculated up!
Just curious as to how many servings this makes? I’m trying to add up the nutritional value and will gladly share once I’ve calculated it up!
Hi Katherine! It serves at least 8!
For us it serves 5
thanks for letting us know Kate
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This was a fantastic recipe! I have made it three times and will make again. Also given the recipes to some friends. Thanks, I will be checking out more recipes from your site