Slow Cooker Summer Chicken Chili

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I know. When you think of chili, you think of sweatshirts and changing leaves and football games and chai lattes and pumpkin ALL THE THINGS, not the middle of summertime. But if you really think about, chili is actually the perfect summer meal! Let me explain.

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. They are at their most flavorful, most fresh, and most affordable! So of course summer is the perfect time to make chili!

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, spicy peppers, and fresh herbs. The use of chicken in place of heavier red meat keeps the soup feeling summer-y while still giving it that stick-to-your-ribs feeling that chili is known for.

And since it is all pulled together in the slow cooker, there is no need to heat up your kitchen by using the stove. Which is always a win in my books in the middle of summer.

Because the broth for the chili is a little bit thinner than the standard heavy chili base—this could be considering more of a chili soup—I like to serve mine over a bed of brown rice. The rice soaks up the sauce and adds a nice hearty grain to the mix.

You could also put it over cauliflower rice, quinoa, noodles, or mashed potatoes—or, if you prefer a thicker chili, just use a slotted spoon to serve.

If you are still a little concerned about serving chili in the middle of the summer, all you have to do is serve it alongside a cold frozen margarita. Balance at its finest. Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Summer Chicken Chili

Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes

A chili may seem out of place in hot weather, until you remember that all the ingredients are at their peak in the summer. Slow Cooker Summer Chicken Chili is a hearty, yet light, version of the winter classic.

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Ingredients

• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 14-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 14-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 10 ounces frozen corn
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeno, seeds removed, finely diced (plus more if you like more of a kick)
• 2 pounds fresh 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)
• Cooked brown rice, for serving
• Shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and other chili toppings, for serving

Instructions

1. Combine tomato sauce, pinto beans, black beans, corn, onion, bell pepper, garlic, jalapeno, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper in the basin of a large slow cooker. Place chicken breasts on top and close slow cooker.
2. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 8-10. Thirty minutes before serving, remove chicken and shred using two forks. Return to chili and stir well.
3. Spoon chili over cooked brown rice, and top with your favorite chili toppings.

Notes

You could also serve the chili over cauliflower rice, quinoa, noodles, or mashed potatoes—or, if you prefer a thicker chili, just use a slotted spoon to serve.