Game day just doesn't feel complete without a simmering pot of chili! Try this tasty, quick 'n' easy, and healthier recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Chili. Made with ground chicken, taco seasoning and creamy pinto beans, you'll love this protein and fiber packed warm bowl of goodness, on a cold winter night too.
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30-Minute Easy Chicken Chili Recipe
This is a fairly easy chicken chili recipe to put together in my programmable pressure cooker, Instant Pot. The actual cook time is about 8 minutes. Including the time it takes the pot to pressurize and depressurize, this dish is ready to be served in under 30 minutes, from start to finish.
Making it in the instant pot makes this recipe a simple dump and start dish thats great for weeknight meals. Serve with Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread as a side.
Use Ground Beef or Turkey in this Chili Recipe
I love the traditional chili made with ground beef. That can easily be used in the same recipe and it works great. But, in an effort to make this chili a lower calorie dish, I substituted ground beef with lean ground chicken in this recipe.
The other two homemade Chili recipes that are on my repeat menu are White Chicken Chili and Black Bean Chili.
Leftovers!! Make Chili Hot Dogs
Whenever I make Instant Pot Chicken Chili, I always make enough so we have leftovers for dressing up some Hot Dogs the next day. THAT is our bonus! I love meals where you cook once and use twice! Here's what I do:
I heat up chili and boil some 'franks' or sausage links. Everyone dresses up their hot-dogs with their choice of condiments. Then, pour a couple of 'generous' spoonfuls of chili all over, sprinkle chopped onion and shredded cheese over that and enjoy. Yum!!
Great for Game Day Parties
I always make this Chili for game-day parties ! I make it ahead of time and keep it warm in the Instant Pot. When it's time to eat, I set it up so that people can serve themselves.
Alongside, I serve boiled or steamed franks (hot dogs) on a platter.
Next to that, I place a basket of warmed hot-dog buns, and condiments like ketchup, mustard and relish, chopped onions and shredded cheese.
This works out great as people can choose if they want to have a bowl of chili or a chili-dog, or both 🙂
Similar Recipes from My Kitchen
Check out my Top Mexican Recipes, including bean burgers, fajitas, and tacos.
📖 Recipe
Easy Instant Pot Chicken Chili
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Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Light Olive Oil or canola
- ½ cup onion chopped (about ½ medium onion)
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 lb. ground chicken can use ground turkey or beef too
- 14 oz. Pinto Beans : 1 can rinsed and drained (can use Kidney/black Beans)
- 4 oz Diced Green Chiles 1 can
- 14 oz Diced Tomatoes or crushed: 1 can (or fire roasted tomatoes)
- 1 tablespoon Unsweetened Cocoa Powder optional, but highly recommended
- 1½ tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Brown Sugar
- 1 oz Taco Seasoning Mix Adjust to taste. (I use Trader Joe's taco seasoning pack)
- ½ cup water
If you don't have Taco seasoning, use this combination below:
- 2 tablespoon Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste, may need another ¼-½ teaspoon
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried Oregano
Optional Add-ons (add along with onion)
- 2 serrano pepper, finely chopped or 1 jalapeno
- 1 cup bell peppers finely chopped (any color)
Garnish & Side Choices
- Chopped spring onions
- shredded cheddar cheese
- sour cream
- cornbread
Instructions
- Turn on Instant Pot to SAUTE mode (high/more) and add oil. Add chopped onions and garlic and saute for 2 minutes.
- Add ground chicken and saute for 4-5 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to break the lumps of ground chicken.
- Add taco seasoning, rinsed and drained pinto beans, tomatoes and green chiles, cocoa powder, brown sugar, vinegar, and water. Stir well. Cancel SAUTE. Close lid. Vent to sealing position. Set manual or pressure cook for 8 minutes.
- Wait for natural pressure release for 10 minutes (NPR 10), and release the remaining pressure after turning the knob to "venting" position. Open lid after pin has dropped.
- To thicken chili, mash a few beans with the wooden spoon or a potato masher, and turn on Saute for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with your favorite toppings.
elle g says
I love this recipe. Packed with flavor and if we feel like more spice we increase it to 1.5 or use hot paprika. We always make our taco seasoning because taco seasoning can be so variable. Thanks for the breakdown on how to do that Aneesha!
Aneesha Gupta says
You're welcome Elle. I'm so glad you enjoyed this chili!
Fernando Garces says
Great Recipe Thank you!
Aneesha says
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Vanessa says
Hi there...just wondering why two of the listed ingredients are not mentioned in the instructions. They are red wine vinegar and brown sugar. I left these out as they weren’t included in your instructions so I hope the recipes turns out.
Aneesha says
Hi Vanessa, Thanks for pointing that out. Those two are to be added along with other ingredients mentioned. I have fixed the text and I apologize for any confusion. But you can add sugar and vinegar after cooking too. Just simmer for 2-3 minutes and they'll blend in. I hope you enjoyed this recipe.
Sarah says
Very good & very easy
Aneesha says
Hi Sarah, thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!