BBQ Chicken Chili
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Slow-cooked chicken is fall-apart tender, infused with the melding flavors of BBQ sauce and bourbon, with beans and veggies in the mix! It’s a smoky, rich, sweet, and savory one-pot dinner that is so easy to make – just throw it all in the slow cooker and come back to a warming and flavor-packed BBQ chicken chili dinner!
This BBQ chicken chili is one of those slow cooker recipes that feels almost too easy for how good it tastes. Just add everything to the crockpot, walk away, and come home to a chili that’s smoky, slightly sweet, and full of rich barbecue flavor.
As the chili simmers, the chicken becomes fall-apart tender and mingles with the beans, corn, and vegetables to create a hearty, satisfying meal. Crushed tomatoes form the base, while barbecue sauce, bourbon, and warm spices like cumin and smoked paprika add layers of flavor that set this chili apart from the classic version.
I love topping a bowl with cheese, sour cream, and cilantro, though a drizzle of honey is delicious if you like a touch more sweetness. It’s the kind of cozy dinner that’s perfect for busy days, chilly evenings, and anytime you want your slow cooker to do the heavy lifting.
How to use leftover chicken chili
All of my chili recipes are amazing as leftovers, so make extra for tomorrow! If you want something new, turn your leftovers into chili stuffed peppers. Or, make a version of these taco salad fries, using this chili in place of the taco meat. Or opt for indulgent chili dogs!
Can you freeze BBQ chicken chili?
Yes! This chili recipe freezes very well. Make sure that the chili has cooled to room temperature and then package it and put it into your freezer. These large stasher bags work well.
What to serve with BBQ chicken chili
Chili works as a one-pot kind of dinner – all you need is a bowl and a spoon! Mop it up with some zucchini cornbread muffins or whole wheat Irish soda bread.
Add a bed of basmati rice for a fluffy bed to soak up those delicious flavors. Round it out with a refreshing and crunchy side salad, like a simple spring mix salad or a broccoli coleslaw with lemon buttermilk dressing.
If you’re feasting, add a side of sweet potato wedges and four cheese mac and cheese.
BBQ Chicken Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 2 carrots (diced)
- 2 red bell peppers (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- ½ cup bourbon (can sub light beer or chicken stock)
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Each: cumin, smoked paprika, and sea salt
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- Optional: 1-2 tablespoons honey (see notes)
- 3 chicken breasts (can sub 6 chicken thighs)
- 19 ounce can kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup frozen corn
- Optional toppings: grated cheese, sour cream, and cilantro
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients EXCEPT the chicken breasts, kidney beans, corn and honey to your crockpot and stir to mix well. Taste the chili and add the honey if you would like it to be sweeter.1 medium onion, 2 carrots, 2 red bell peppers, 3 cloves garlic, ½ cup BBQ sauce, ½ cup bourbon, 3 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon Each: cumin, smoked paprika, and sea salt, 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes, Optional: 1-2 tablespoons honey
- Nestle the chicken breasts on the top and set your crockpot to high for 6 hours or low for 10 hours.3 chicken breasts
- Remove the chicken from the crockpot. Add the corn and beans to the pot and stir. Shred the chicken using 2 forks then stir it back into the chili. Taste and season with sea salt then let the chili reheat for a few minutes before serving it. Serve topped with any or all of the toppings.19 ounce can kidney beans, 1 cup frozen corn, Optional toppings: grated cheese, sour cream, and cilantro
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
Can I fix it up the night before then just start in in the morning?
You can! I’ve done that many times myself.
I really wanted to like this but it was just too sweet for me (and I did make my own BBQ sauce according to your recipe.) I guess I’m just not a BBQ person. Rating it 3 stars because it’s not your fault.
Could I put the can of beans and corn in two hours before cooking is done? I don’t understand adding it at the end. Thanks
I like to add corn and beans at the end when I cook chili otherwise I find they get too soft.
FYI, bourbon and beer both have gluten in them. My grandson couldn’t eat this chili because of it. I made it especially for him when he came for a visit. Everyone else enjoyed it, though.
This was a very delicious recipe and I was excited to make it for my grandson when he was coming to visit. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that bourbon is not acceptable for gluten free recipes. Neither is beer. I had to throw him a gluten free pizza in the oven. The rest of the crew loved it, though.
This chili is so good! I’ve made it two weeks in a row and both times it’s turned out deliciously. Each time, I cooked it on High for ten hours. I think I’ll try Low for six hours just to see if there’s a difference in chicken texture and taste. This is the first time I’ve cooked chicken in a crockpot and cannot believe how tender and easy it shreds.
Wow! I never leave reviews but this time I had too! Its excellent and so easy. This is a keeper hands down. Thank you!
This recipe was so good! We used sweet baby rays bbq sauce, no honey, and Bulleit Bourbon.
Should I use a red onion?
I use a yellow onion. But if you have a red onion on hand then that will work just fine!
The ingredients say just 1 can of beans… is this correct? In the comments you mention 3 cans?
Yes, it is correct. When the recipe was originally posted the bean ratio was a little off. 🙂
This chili is SO GOOD! I’m so delighted to have come across your blog – all of the recipes I’ve tried so far have been excellent. Seriously, make this chili! You will not regret it!!
Thank you so much!!
Amazing! I’ve sent this to almost every family member encouraging them to make it because it’s THAT good. Highly recommend and it freezes great! I made it in the instant pot 🙂
That is so awesome to hear, Rachel! Thank you for passing it along!
I made this chili for a contest I entered and I won one of the four prizes. Everyone loved it.
Thank you so much for this recipe.
That makes me so happy to hear! Hooray!
I can’t wait to make this recipe. Can this recipe be done in an insta pot? I think it could but not sure how to convert the cooking time.
I suspect that it would but I haven’t tried it myself. I would suggest using the cooking instructions from another Instant Pot recipe and the ingredients from this one. 🙂
What type of bourbon do you use?
Whatever I have on hand. Often it’s Jim Bean. I wouldn’t suggest using the good stuff in this recipe. 🙂
What type of beans would you recommend?
I generally opt for two cans of red kidney beans and one can of white cannellini beans. There are no wrong choices here though so any three cans of your favorite beans will work great. 🙂