Wholefully

slow cooker summer chicken chili

26

For a brief period last week, the heat wave that has been the summer of 2011 broke and we were teased with Fall-like temperatures. The windows were open, I had on a sweatshirt, and all seemed fine and good with the world. I started craving things like pumpkin cheesecake pots and cranberry applesauce.  This little break from the sweltering heat happened to fall on a day when I was making our menu for the week. I decided I must make chili, because the weather is just asking for it! So it went on the menu.

But by the time it came to fire up the ole soup pot, Fall had gone back in its hiding spot and hot and humid weather had returned. I thought about scrapping my dream of a chili supper, but then I realized that chili is actually the perfect summer meal. Think about all the ingredients in chili—peppers, tomatoes, onions, fresh herbs—all items that are currently being produced by the literal truckload at your local farm. So instead of pushing out my desire for chili until October, I whipped together a recipe for summer chili using fresh veggies from the garden.

The result is a hearty, yet light version of the winter classic. The flavors are brilliant and vibrant thanks to the abundance of vine-ripened tomatoes and the addition of chicken in place of heavier red meat keeps the soup feeling summer-y. And since it is all pulled together in the slow cooker, there is no need to heat up your kitchen by using the stove. Bonus? This is an excellent way to use up the insane amount of tomatoes that are currently rendering your kitchen table unusable. If you have that problem. For example.

Because the broth for the chili is a little bit thinner than the standard heavy chili base, I served mine over top a bed of brown rice. The rice soaks up the sauce and adds a nice hearty grain to the mix. If you are still a little concerned about serving a chili in the middle of the summer, all you have to do is serve it alongside a cold, frozen margarita. Balance at its finest.

Damn. Now I want a margarita.

Slow Cooker Summer Chicken Chili

As standard with my recipes, this one is pretty mild on the spice-o-meter. If you want it to pack an extra punch, keep in the seeds from the jalapeno or toss in another hot pepper.

Serves 8-10

Print this recipe

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 10 ounces frozen corn
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 green pepper, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeno, seeds removed, finely diced
  • 2 pounds tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons cumin
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound total)

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients except for the chicken breasts in the basin of a large slow cooker.
  2. Place chicken breasts on top and close slow cooker.
  3. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 8-10.
  4. 30 minutes before serving, remove chicken and shred using two forks. Return to chili and stir well.

Have you ever made chili in the summer?

MY OTHER RECIPES


26 Comments

  1. I love chicken chili, and this looks delicious. I can’t recall making chili in the summer though I have been craving it. As a matter of fact, I had some chili yesterday. I can’t wait to try your recipe, and I like that you put it over rice.

    Reply

  2. I made a large roast pan of chili last summer for Steve’s bbq here at our place, thinking oh, i’ve made too much. On the grill were Oktoberfest Sausages and hamburgers. They went and so did all the chili.
    Great dish for summer bbq’s obviously. Yours looks awesome Cass.
    Mom

    Reply

  4. Ooh, I’ve been on a chicken chili kick ever since I first made a recipe that I had torn from a Martha Stewart magazine in the winter. It is definitely not for the faint of heart (or palette). I make a bunch and store it in the freezer and before I know it, I have to make more.
    I’ll definitely give this one a try because I never regret getting out my slow cooker!

    Reply

  6. This recipe looks wonderful – a perfect send-off for summer! New to your blog and love it – a great balance of recipes, workout, goals, info and tutorials – keep up the great work!

    Reply

  10. I was looking for a recipe that used up the overabundance of tomatoes in my house and found this one. I made it tonight and it was a HIT! Thanks so much for posting this 🙂

    Reply

  11. Now I’m wanting some chili..this looks fabulous, Cassie..and with the temps we’re having now, it would be perfect…

    Reply

  13. This chili is in my slow cooker as we speak and smells delicious! I can’t wait to have some tonight!! Thanks for the recipe, enjoying the blog!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Wholefully is running the Genesis Framework using theFoodie Child Theme and is powered by AcceleratedWP managed WordPress hosting.

Legalese

Bylaws » Privacy Policy »

Copyright © 2010–2015—Back to Her Roots, LLC.
All photos, recipes, and texts are protected and may not be used or distributed without the permission of the owner.