Spicy Ina Garten Chicken Chili Recipe with Bold Flavors

Ina Garten’s chicken chili bursts with flavor that dances across your palate like a culinary symphony.

Vibrant spices and succulent chicken meld into a hearty creation that redefines comfort food.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe breaks through traditional chili boundaries with Mediterranean-inspired nuances.

Each spoonful tells a story of carefully balanced ingredients that sing together in perfect harmony.

Bold seasonings transform simple proteins into a stunning dish that feels both familiar and exciting.

Tender chunks of chicken swim in a rich, aromatic base that promises warmth and satisfaction.

You’ll fall in love with this chili’s ability to turn an ordinary meal into an extraordinary dining adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

What’s in Ina Garten’s Chicken Chili Recipe

• Olive Oil: Choose extra virgin for rich, robust flavor.
• Yellow Onions: Select firm, heavy onions with no soft spots.
• Garlic: Look for plump, firm cloves without green sprouts.

• Chicken Breasts: Pick fresh, organic chicken with minimal moisture.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Opt for freshly ground spices for intense flavor.

• Chili Powder, Ground Cumin, Red Pepper Flakes, Cayenne Pepper: Select high-quality, fresh spices from reputable brands.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Choose bright green, fragrant leaves without wilting.
• Whole Peeled Plum Tomatoes: Pick San Marzano or high-quality canned tomatoes.

• Red Bell Peppers, Yellow Bell Peppers: Select vibrant, glossy peppers with smooth skin.

• Chopped Onions, Grated Cheddar Cheese: Use sharp cheddar for extra tangy taste.
• Corn Chips: Select crispy, sturdy chips.
• Sour Cream: Choose full-fat, creamy version for richness.

Tools Checklist for Ina’s Spicy Chicken Chili

• Large Pot: Spacious cookware for creating the chili base, perfect for mixing and simmering ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping onions, peppers, and preparing chicken.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable and chicken preparation.
• Wooden Spoon: Ideal for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching the pot.
• Baking Sheet: Flat pan for roasting chicken breasts evenly in the oven.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately add spices for consistent flavor.
• Can Opener: Essential for opening tomato cans smoothly.
• Ladle: Convenient for serving chili into individual bowls.
• Mixing Bowls: Useful for separating and preparing ingredients.
• Oven Mitts: Protects hands when handling hot baking sheet and pot.

Step-by-Step to Make Chicken Chili

• Crafting The Flavor Foundation

Warm olive oil in a large pot, gently sautéing yellow onions until they become soft and translucent, releasing their sweet aroma and creating a delicious base for the chili.

• Awakening Spice And Color

Toss in minced garlic and vibrant red and yellow bell peppers, stirring quickly to blend their exciting flavors and create a colorful vegetable medley that will make your chili pop.

• Unleashing Spicy Excitement

Sprinkle an explosive mix of chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper, allowing these bold spices to dance and intermingle with the vegetables, creating a tantalizing flavor explosion.

• Building The Robust Sauce

Crush plump tomatoes by hand, mixing them into the pot with fresh basil leaves. Let the sauce simmer and develop depth, transforming into a rich, complex foundation that will make your chili unforgettable.

• Transforming Chicken Into Chili Magic

Preheat the oven and prepare chicken breasts by rubbing with olive oil and seasoning generously. Roast until perfectly cooked, then shred the meat into tender, juicy pieces ready to join the chili party.

• Merging Flavors Into Perfection

Gently fold the succulent shredded chicken into the simmering sauce, allowing every ingredient to mingle and create a harmonious, mouthwatering chili that will have everyone asking for seconds.

• Serving Up Deliciousness

Ladle the steaming chili into bowls and crown with a playful array of toppings – crunchy corn chips, sharp cheddar cheese, fresh onions, and a cool sour cream dollop that adds the perfect finishing touch.

Flavor Boost Tips for Ina Garten’s Chicken Chili

• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust cayenne and red pepper flakes to match your heat tolerance. Start with less and gradually increase for a personalized kick.
• Protein Swap: Replace chicken with turkey, ground beef, or plant-based alternatives like black beans or tofu for diverse meal options.
• Quick Meal Prep: Make a large batch and freeze in portion-sized containers for easy weeknight dinners. Chili stays fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Vegetable Boost: Experiment with additional vegetables like zucchini, corn, or diced carrots to increase nutrition and add interesting textures to your chili.

Presentation Ideas for Ina’s Cozy Chili

• Serve with Fresh Zesty Sides: Complement the rich chili with crisp green salad topped with lime vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast.
• Pair with Warm Cornbread: Bake golden cornbread muffins that perfectly soak up the chili's spicy sauce and add delightful texture to the meal.
• Create a Garnish Station: Set out small bowls of chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, diced avocado, and extra shredded cheese so guests can customize their chili experience.
• Elevate with Cool Drink Pairings: Serve alongside ice-cold Mexican beer or fresh lime margarita to balance the chili's warmth and enhance the overall dining pleasure.

How to Save and Reheat Chicken Chili Ina’s Way

• Preserve Freshness: Store leftover chili in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain optimal taste and prevent bacterial growth.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Transfer chili to sealed containers and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention and food safety.
• Freeze for Later: Pack chili in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months, allowing quick and convenient meal prep for busy days.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw frozen chili in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly and prevent scorching. Add a splash of water or broth if the chili seems too thick during reheating.

Hearty Ina Garten Chicken Chili Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s chicken chili delivers hearty comfort with robust southwestern flavors. Warm spices and tender chicken create a satisfying meal perfect for casual gatherings when you crave something deliciously filling.

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Ingredients

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• 4 chicken breasts, bone-in, skin-on
• 4 cups yellow onions, chopped
• 2 red bell peppers, large-diced
• 2 yellow bell peppers, large-diced
• 2 cans (28 oz or 794 g) whole peeled plum tomatoes in puree
• 1/8 cup (30 ml) olive oil, extra for chicken
• 1/8 cup (30 ml) garlic, minced
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• Freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, minced
• Chopped onions
• Corn chips
• Grated cheddar
• Sour cream

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Instructions

1. Foundation Building: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium temperature. Sauté yellow onions until translucent, stirring to prevent scorching.
2. Aromatic Layer: Add minced garlic, quickly introducing diced red and yellow bell peppers. Stir to distribute evenly and release fragrant notes.
3. Spice Infusion: Sprinkle chili powder, ground cumin, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt. Blend thoroughly with vegetable mixture to intensify flavor complexity.
4. Tomato Integration: Crush whole peeled plum tomatoes directly into the pot. Fold in freshly minced basil leaves. Elevate heat to medium-high, bringing to a robust boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Protein Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F. Drizzle chicken breasts with olive oil, seasoning generously with salt and black pepper. Roast for 35-40 minutes until fully cooked.
6. Chicken Processing: Cool roasted chicken briefly, then remove skin and bones. Slice into uniform bite-sized pieces, integrating smoothly into the simmering chili base.
7. Final Fusion: Incorporate chicken chunks into the chili, allowing 20 minutes of additional cooking to meld flavors completely. Serve hot with optional garnishes of chopped onions, corn chips, cheddar cheese, and sour cream.

Notes

• Sauté Strategically: Stir onions continuously to prevent burning and achieve a perfect translucent texture that builds a robust flavor foundation.
• Spice Balance Matters: Carefully measure spices to create a harmonious heat level that doesn’t overwhelm the dish’s complex flavor profile.
• Chicken Cooking Precision: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, guaranteeing both safety and juiciness.
• Resting and Shredding Technique: Let chicken cool slightly before shredding to maintain moisture and create even, tender bite-sized pieces that integrate seamlessly with the chili.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering, Roasting
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg