Healthy Ground Chicken Chili Recipe: Easy and for Cozy Weeknight Comfort

You know those nights when all you want is something warm, hearty, and soul-soothing, but you also don’t want to completely wreck your healthy eating streak? That’s exactly how this healthy ground chicken chili recipe came to life in my little NYC kitchen. One chilly evening, I was craving something bold and comforting, but I wanted it to be light enough that I wouldn’t feel like I needed a nap afterward. This chili hit all the right notes, flavorful, filling, and surprisingly good for you. It’s become one of my go-to recipes for busy weeknights, lazy Sundays, and everything in between. With lean ground chicken, hearty beans, colorful veggies, and just the right amount of spice, it’s got that cozy homemade vibe without any of the heaviness.

So, Why Is This Healthy Ground Chicken Chili Recipe Such a Winner?

Okay, let’s talk about why I keep coming back to this healthy ground chicken chili recipe again and again, and why I think you’ll fall for it too. It’s one of those meals that feels like comfort food but still checks all the “healthy” boxes. It’s cozy, hearty, full of flavor, and you can easily tweak it to fit your lifestyle or what you’ve got hanging out in your fridge.

Here’s what makes it a total keeper:

• It’s packed with protein and fiber: Between the lean ground chicken and the beans, this bowl is super satisfying and keeps you full for hours.
• Bold, smoky flavor: Thanks to a mix of chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic, it’s seriously delicious without needing a ton of salt or fat.
• Tons of veggies, no fuss: Bell peppers, tomatoes, corn… all simmered into something that tastes way more indulgent than it is.
• Easy to make your own: You can make it spicier, skip the beans, or go dairy-free with toppings. It plays nice with all kinds of preferences.
• One-pot magic: Minimal cleanup, maximum flavor. That’s the kind of math I like.

Whether you’re cooking for the family, meal-prepping for the week, or just want something warm and nourishing, this chili’s got your back.

What to Prep Ahead (So You’re Not Rushing Later)

If you’re anything like me, dinnertime can sneak up fast, especially on busy weeknights when your brain’s still half at work. The good news? This chili is super meal-prep friendly! With just a little planning, you can make the whole cooking process feel way less chaotic and way more chill.

Here’s what you can knock out ahead of time:

• Chop your veggies: Dice the onion, bell peppers, and garlic the night before. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge so they’re ready to toss in the pot.
• Measure your spices: Mix all the dry spices in a small container or jar. When it’s go-time, just dump and stir. Easy!
• Drain and rinse the beans: You can do this earlier in the day and pop them in the fridge in a sealed container.
• Brown the chicken ahead: If you’re really tight on time, cook the ground chicken in advance and refrigerate it. Then you just reheat it briefly with the veggies and spices.

Doing even one or two of these things ahead can make cooking feel way less hectic—and that means more time to sip wine, chat, or just chill while dinner comes together.

How to Make it

Healthy Ground Chicken Chili Recipe

Recipe by Souhail

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

A hearty, flavor-packed chili with lean ground chicken, beans, veggies, and spices.

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 lb lean ground chicken

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 1 green bell pepper, diced

• 1 cup corn kernels

• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained & rinsed

• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained & rinsed

• 2 tbsp chili powder

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• Salt & pepper to taste

• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

• Optional toppings: Greek yogurt, avocado, cilantro, lime, cheese

Directions

• Prep work (5 mins): Dice onions, peppers, and garlic. Drain beans.
• Sauté aromatics (3–4 mins): Heat oil in a large pot over medium. Add onion & garlic; cook until soft.
• Brown the chicken (5–7 mins): Add ground chicken, breaking it up. Cook until no pink remains. Drain any excess liquid.
• Add peppers & corn (3 mins): Stir in peppers and corn; cook until peppers soften.
• Spice it up (1 min): Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir until evenly coated.
• Add beans, tomatoes & broth (2 mins): Pour in tomatoes (with juice), beans, and broth. Stir to combine.
• Simmer time (15–20 mins): Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer. This lets flavors meld.
• Final taste test: Adjust seasoning as needed. If you want more heat, add a dash of cayenne or chipotle.
• Serve & garnish: Ladle chili into bowls and top with Greek yogurt, avocado, cilantro, lime juice, or cheese.

Notes

• For richer flavor, simmer an extra 10 mins.
• Use low-sodium items to control salt.
• Even better the next day and freezer-friendly, perfect for meal prep!

Nutrition Facts

• Total number of serves: 6
• Calories: 300kcal
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g
• Cholesterol: 65mg
• Sodium: 450mg
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fiber: 8g
• Sugar: 5g
• Protein: 28g

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Little Tricks That Make a Big Difference

I’ve whipped up this chili more times than I can count, and along the way, I’ve picked up a few sneaky-good tricks to make it even more delicious. If you want to take your healthy ground chicken chili recipe from “yum” to “holy wow,” these little tips are for you:

• Toast the spices for extra depth: After sautéing the veggies, let the spices cook for about 30 seconds. It brings out their full flavor.
• Use fresh garlic and onion: It really does make a difference over the powdered stuff, especially in a dish this simple.
• Simmer longer if you’ve got time: A longer, gentle simmer lets everything meld into chili perfection.
• Add a splash of lime juice at the end: Just a squeeze lifts the whole thing and gives it a fresh kick.
• Let it rest before serving: Give it 5–10 minutes off the heat. It thickens up and tastes even better.
• Don’t skip the toppings: A dollop of Greek yogurt, some creamy avocado, or a sprinkle of cheddar takes every bite up a notch.

Fun Ways to Make It Your Own

If you’re anything like me, you love getting creative in the kitchen, especially with recipes as forgiving as chili. The base is solid, but it totally welcomes tweaks depending on your mood, cravings, or whatever’s hiding in your fridge. Here are some fun ways to mix it up:

• Go vegan: Swap the ground chicken for lentils, chopped mushrooms, or crumbled tofu, and use veggie broth. Still super hearty!
• Make it gluten-free: Just double-check that your spices and broth are certified gluten-free, and you’re good to go.
• Low-carb swap: Skip the beans and bulk it up with chopped zucchini or cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly version.
• Crank up the heat: Love spice? Toss in some chopped jalapeño, a pinch of cayenne, or a chipotle pepper in adobo.
• Fall twist: Stir in a cup of pumpkin purée to add richness and a subtle sweetness, perfect for autumn vibes.
• Tex-Mex flair: Add a squeeze of lime juice, chopped cilantro, and a handful of shredded pepper jack cheese on top. Instant fiesta!

FAQs About Healthy Ground Chicken Chili Recipe

Let’s Wrap It Up, Chili Friend!

There’s just something magical about a warm bowl of chili, especially when it’s as wholesome and flavorful as this healthy ground chicken chili recipe. It’s one of those meals that makes you feel good from the inside out, comforting, satisfying, and surprisingly easy to throw together. I hope it finds a cozy spot in your weekly rotation like it has in mine!

If you’re loving the ground chicken vibes, definitely check out my Ground Chicken Taco Recipe next, it’s a fun and flavorful twist that’s just as easy and crowd-pleasing.

Now go grab your spoon and dig in! Happy cooking friends!