Description

This Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is a warm, comforting meal packed with smoky turkey bacon, vibrant spices, and melty plant-based cheese. Cooked low and slow, tender chicken melds with beans and fire-roasted tomatoes to create a hearty, satisfying dish perfect for cozy nights or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins

1.5 lbs chicken breasts or thighs, boneless and skinless
4 slices smoky turkey bacon, chopped

Vegetables and Aromatics

1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced

Canned Goods

1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) black or kidney beans, rinsed and drained

Liquids

1 cup vegetable broth
2 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)

Spices

2 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika

Dairy Alternatives

1 cup plant-based cheese, shredded

Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients: Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and cut the turkey bacon into small pieces. Rinse and drain the beans to ensure they’re ready for cooking.
Sauté Aromatics and Turkey Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the turkey bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until they become soft and fragrant, enhancing their natural sweetness.
Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the chicken, cooked turkey bacon, sautéed onion and garlic, beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, vegetable broth, spices, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), and apple cider vinegar (natural) into the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine all ingredients well.
Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and the flavors are fully developed.
Shred Chicken and Add Cheese: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the chili, stir in the plant-based cheese, and allow it to melt into the warm chili before serving.

Notes

Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier results.
Sauté aromatics and turkey bacon to unlock deeper flavors.
Layer your spices by adding a pinch midway through cooking to enhance aroma.
If chili seems watery, stir in a teaspoon of natural gelling agent mixed in cold water near the end of cooking to thicken.
Let the chili rest for 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 700mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 7g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: slow cooker, chicken chili, turkey bacon, plant-based cheese, comforting meal, slow cooking, beans, smoky, hearty