BBQ Chicken Chili

This BBQ Chicken Chili is a fiery pot of deliciousness. With juicy chicken, sweet and smoky barbecue sauce, and a touch of heat from roasted red peppers, it's absolutely awesome.

If you know me at all, you know I'm like a petulant child when it comes to eating fruits and vegetables. It's like trying to feed me a bowl of bugs most of the time. I just can't. My brain totally shuts it down. But I've really been trying to make a concerted effort lately to add more plants into my diet, and not just wheat and sugar.

I've always been a fanof a big pot of something delicious where all the flavors are married together. So whether it's soup or chili or a hearty chowder or stew, I seem to not be as freaked out when there's an amalgamation of vegetables in small pieces. My number one goal with food is pleasure, so it has to feel good in order for me to eat something. My new secret weapon is blitzing a jar of roasted red peppers in the food processor. Tastes freakin' awesome and I'm here for it.

What makes BBQ Chicken Chili so awesome?

I love all the flavors happening in this BBQ Chicken Chili. There's the usual beans and tomatoes, and of course, juicy chicken chunks. There are the usual aromatic vegetables like red onion, jalapeno, and garlic, plus a whole host of spices. But what makes this chili extra awesome is the sweetness of barbecue sauce and the smoky fieriness of pureed roasted red peppers. It's a subtle heat that builds with each bite, and it's phenomenal.

This is easy enough to be a weeknight meal but it's also impressive for a gathering of friends. Serve it with classic chili toppings like cheese, sour cream, and raw onion and jalapenos. Make up a batch of skillet cornbread. Put out a basket of tortilla chips. Open some cold beer or cider. Now that would be an awesome party.

Magical Properties of Bell Pepper

Bell peppers carry a mild fire energy, so you can add them to spells where you just want a little bit of extra power. They're also tied to the element of earth as we as the Sun and Venus. You can use bell peppers in spells for warding, healing, protection, and strength. With their many seeds, bell peppers are also helpful in love and desire spells as well as prosperity and wealth spells. You can also use them to call in creativity, energy, and improved mental ability.

To learn more about the magical properties of the ingredients in this recipe, check the Kitchen Magick page.

Ingredients

Here's everything you'll need to make this chili. The full details are in the recipe card below.

• Olive oil - or your preferred cooking oil
• Red onion
• Jalapeno - whatever color you can get your hands on, but I like to stick with all red for this recipe if possible
• Garlic - fresh or garlic paste
• Smoked paprika
• Chili powder
• Ground cumin
• Salt and pepper
• Crushed red pepper flakes - you can skip these if you want your chili more on the mild side
• Chicken - Use whatever part of the chicken you think is most delicious. It needs to be pre-cooked for this recipe.
• Roasted red peppers - Go ahead and use jarred unless you're feeling really excited to roast your own.
• Cannellini beans
• Kidney beams
• Chicken stock - I use stock cubes
• Canned tomatoes - I prefer petite diced tomatoes
• BBQ sauce - Use your favorite brand
• Optional toppings - grated cheddar cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro

To make this recipe you'll need a cutting board and good knife, a big pot like a Dutch oven, and a food processor. If you don't have a food processor, you can just chop up your roasted red peppers.

Tips for making BBQ Chicken Chili

This chili, like all chilis, is pretty easy. We're simply layering flavors by adding things to one big pot in stages so all the flavors can mingle happily. Start by sauteeing your aromatic vegetables until tender. Then you'll sprinkle in your ground spices and let those get a bit toasty.

Then you'll add in everything else, give it a good stir, bring it to a simmer, and just let heat do its thing. I like to cook this with the lid off because I like a thicker chili, and that will help some of the liquid evaporate as it bubbles gently. Give your chili a taste and make any adjustments. It may need more salt or a touch more heat for your taste. Serve it piping hot topped with cheese and sour cream.

If I'm excited to eat this BBQ Chicken Chili with so many delicious veggies, I know you'll be. I hope you give it a try. It's gonna be awesome.

Looking for more awesome chili recipes? Try this Cheesy Chorizo Chili or my legendary Spicy Chicken Chili.

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Recipe slightly adapted from Seriously Delish by Jessica Merchant.

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