Comforting Slow Cooker Chili Recipes

There's nothing better than a warm, comforting bowl of chili on a cold day. But there's no need to spend all day stirring at the stove. Instead, let your slow cooker do the work for you with these easy and delicious chili recipes. From classic beef chili recipes to chicken chili (and even vegetarian!) we have a slow cooker chili recipe for everyone.
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Slow-Cooker Chocolate Chili with Three Beans

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Chocolate chili? Sounds crazy; tastes crazy-good. Just two ounces of bitter or semisweet chocolate in this slow cooker chili adds richness without making the dish too sweet. The rich flavor and trio of beans in this beef chili make it one of our favorite slow cooker meals ever.

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Lamb, Bean, and Sweet Potato Chili

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We'll never tire of classic slow cooker chili, but it's just as tasty to doctor it up sometimes. That's exactly what this recipe does, packing tender lamb shoulder, sweet potatoes, and black beans into your bowl. Just before serving, stir in a dash of Louisiana hot sauce to give it some kick.

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Tomatillo Turkey Chili with Spelt

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Instead of regular tomatoes, tomatillo salsa forms the base for this white chili. This slow cooker turkey chili is also filled to the brim with cannellini beans and spelt, an ancient grain making a major comeback. You can add a bit of tang to your bowl by sprinkling on chopped red onion just before diving in spoon-first.

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All-American Chili

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If you just want classic, no-fuss slow cooker chili, this is the recipe for you! Prep only takes 10 minutes (thanks, canned beans and tomatoes!), and your slow cooker will take care of the rest. If you want to soak up some of the extra broth, make corn bread to serve your bowl of beef chili.

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Slow Cooker Chili

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If you're trying to accommodate a variety of tastes, set up a slow cooker chili bar! Start with a basic chili recipe with red kidney beans, beef, and tomatoes, then let your slow cooker take the lead. When the stew is almost done cooking, set up a variety of toppers like corn chips, cheese, and fresh tomatoes, so everyone can top off their bowl exactly the way they like.

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Chicken Fajita Chili

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Instead of the traditional beef, chicken is the star here. Seasoned with chili powder, cumin, fajita seasoning, and garlic, this slow cooker chili packs a powerful punch. To give this slow cooker recipe even more flavor, try topping off your bowl with a dollop of guacamole.

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Caribbean Pork Chili

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This definitely isn't classic slow cooker chili, but it's just as tasty! A delicious mango garnish adds a tropical touch to this slow cooker chili recipe. If desired, add a half teaspoon of ground chipotle chili pepper to crank up the heat.

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Vegetarian Chili

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We couldn't pack more veggies into this chili recipe if we tried. Along with classic chili ingredients (diced tomatoes, black beans, and chili powder) this slow cooker vegetarian chili has zucchini, green sweet peppers, and corn. You'll love this veggie-filled chili so much, you won't even miss the meat!

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White Bean and Cumin Chili

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Cannellini beans make this vegetarian chili slow cooker recipe hearty enough for dinner, even without meat. Of course, you'll get much more than just beans—we also used acorn squash and canned tomatoes to make this recipe chunky and tasty (just the way we like it!). For a cool, creamy finish, serve with a dollop of sour cream mixed with chives.

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Game Day Chili

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Celebrate game day in style with this delicious slow cooker chili recipe. This hearty chili is perfect for a cold day. Texas chili fans will appreciate that this hearty mix is bean-free. It's still full of rich flavor thanks to dried plums and a pinch of bittersweet chocolate.

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Spicy Ancho Chili with Tomatillos

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This slow cooker chili starts with classic ingredients (beef roast and kidney beans) but it's quick to turn up the heat. Using both ancho and jalapeno chile peppers, this recipe is hot! We like it best with a slice of avocado, a scoop of sour cream, and a sprinkling of cheddar cheese on top to cool things off.

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Beef and Black Bean Chili

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Want to know the secret to this slow cooker chili? Unsweetened cocoa powder! The cocoa adds richness, while hot chili powder gives this dish a spicy kick. And before popping this chili in your slow cooker, quickly sauté the ground beef, onions, sweet peppers, and garlic to give it extra flavor.

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Kickin' Chicken Chili

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Spice up your life! The warm kick in this recipe comes from cumin and green salsa. Plus, it's different from other chili recipes because it uses chicken breast instead of ground meat. If you have leftovers, you can store this slow cooker meal in the refrigerator for up to three days. 

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Mexican Chili

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Full of the ground beef and red beans we love, this zesty chili has a south-of-the-border twist. Use Mexican-style stewed tomatoes and diced green chile peppers to give this chili its unique flavor (cumin and chili powder also play a part). And don't forget to add a dollop of sour cream on top!

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Family-Style Chili and Corn Bread Dumplings

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This chili is delicious is on its own, but the cheesy corn bread dumplings on top take it to the next level. You can even make the dumplings in your slow cooker—just add in the dough at the very end, and cook the chili with the dumplings on top for 20 to 25 minutes. A duo of chili beans and kidney beans also help set this slow cooker chili recipe apart from the crowd.

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Barbecue Chili

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If you're missing summer barbecue in the middle of winter, serve up this BBQ chili slow cooker-style! This sweet and spicy chili is full of chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and molasses. With three different kinds of beans and the addition of smoky bacon, this flavorful chili will definitely become a family favorite.

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Beef and Red Bean Chili

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Perfect for the holidays or just a cold day, this hearty chili will warm you up in a hurry. Switch up this classic chili recipe and try using chuck roast instead of ground beef. Each bite of this slow cooker chili will also have a bit of kick, thanks to chipotle peppers and adobo sauce.

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Chili Verde

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We don't call this recipe "green chili" for nothing! Tomatillos and fresh spinach leaves help give this slow cooker chili its signature lime hue. Tender pork roast and navy beans make this slow cooker chili a satisfying meal.

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Sassy Bean and Brown Rice Chili

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Look out: This chili has attitude! Diced green chiles and picante sauce give it a spicy kick, while three different kinds of beans help make this meatless chili hearty. Of course, the deliciousness doesn't stop there. Brown rice and a sprinkle of roasted pumpkin seeds on top make this slow cooker chili recipe unlike any other.

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Taco Chili

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This chili has all the flavor of tacos with none of the hassle. Add just five ingredients to your slow cooker and let them cook for a few hours, and this no-fuss chili is ready to serve! If you want to make this slow cooker chili even more tacolike, try crushing up a few hard taco shells or tortilla chips to sprinkle on top.

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Chicken Chili

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This chicken chili may be simple, but it's full of flavor. Chicken and white kidney beans make this a hearty main dish, while fresh jalapeno chile peppers give it a zesty kick. If you want to take this slow cooker chili to the next level, top it off with sliced tomatoes, green onion, and cheese.

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Pork Rib Chili with Corn Bread

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Don't be intimidated by the long list of ingredients. This recipe is well worth your time! Simmer it in your slow cooker all day, then add the corn bread batter directly on top of your chili to create the perfect side dish pairing. 

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In-Your-Sleep Chili

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This chili is so easy, you could make it in your sleep! After cooking the ground beef and onion in a skillet, just combine the rest of the ingredients in your slow cooker, set it, and forget it. This slow cooker chili only needs five ingredients, so it won't take you much time at all (plus, you might have some of them on hand already!).

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New World Chili

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This slow cooker recipe will remind you of a Thanksgiving feast. Full of turkey, butternut squash, corn, and cranberries, you'll crave this recipe year-round. And since it only takes 25 minutes of prep, this slow cooker chili is much easier to make on a cold winter night than an entire holiday dinner.

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