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Incredible Chili Recipes

Break out the beans, tomatoes, and chilies, today we’re going to take you on a trip down ALL things chili. From Smoked Over The Top Chili, which is ALL the rage these days, to chicken chili and more, we’ve got something for everyone here for you in our Incredible Chili Recipe Collection!

Chili Recipes

Easy Homemade Chili Recipes

These recipes are some of our favorite homemade chili recipes, and we’re bringing them together for you here in one handy spot!

We love making chili, and have made so many variations of it for you all over the years that it was time to create one go-to source for all things OWYD Chili. From traditional chili to smoked over-the-top chili, chicken chili, chili verde, and so much more, it is all here, and all delicious.

What’s going to be your new favorite?

You can click the link to take you to the full recipes using the list below, or scroll down the post to the recipe cards and get all the goods, right here. You decide!

Incredible Chili Recipes

These delicious chili recipes will keep you warm and full all year long.

Recipes below

Yield: 6 servings

Smoked Chicken Chili

Smoked Chicken Chili

This delicious, hearty soup is perfect for a chili fall or winter evening. We love this and you can customize it and top it with all of your favorite fixings!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 large chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon cumin, divided
  • 1 tablespoon  Spanglish Asadero all purpose rub, divided (or your favorite Mexican-style bbq rub)
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1 can white beans
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic, divided
  • 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano, divided
  • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, divided
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 fresh jalapeño pepper
  • 1 lime
  • 1 small white onion finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat your pellet grill or smoker to 225°F.
  2. Mix 1/2 of your cumin, the Spanglish Asadero rub, salt, and garlic powder together. Rub onto your chicken breasts.
  3. Place your chicken breasts on your grill for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove and set aside.
  4. While your chicken is smoking, take out a medium-sized pot and pour in the chicken broth.
  5. Add in the rest of the salt, cumin, Asadero rub and garlic powder to the broth, along with the hot sauce, half of the Jalapeño, and half of the chopped cilantro and Mexican oregano.
  6. Stir all the ingredients together, boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer.
  7. When your chicken is done and cooled down enough to handle, cut it into 1/2” cubes and add to the stock pot.
  8. Cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice from one of the halves into the pot.
  9. Lastly, add the can of beans to the pot and then let simmer for ten more minutes.
  10. Finely dice your white onion and the other half of the fresh jalapeño pepper.
  11. Pour a bowl of soup and garnish with some onion, jalapeño, oregano, and chopped cilantro.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 217Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 854mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 4gSugar: 4gProtein: 22g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.

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Yield: 12 servings

Traeger Smoked Over the Top Chili Recipe

Smoked Over the Top Chili Recipe

Delicious smoked over the top chili is one for the "keeper" file! Smoked seasoned ground beef is crumbled and put into a rich chili base

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

Chili:

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup diced chilies or peppers, like hatch or jalapeño or bell peppers (I used hatch chilies that were located in a bag in the refrigerated section)
  • 1 28oz can diced tomatoes in juice
  • 1 15oz can stewed tomatoes
  • 1 can Rotel (whichever flavor is your favorite)
  • 28 oz can water
  • 1-2 cans chili beans (optional)
  • 1 package chili seasoning mix (or your own, but I like the one in the pics by Carroll Shelby.)
  • SPG to taste

Meat:

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon hatch chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon SPG
  • Generous amounts of Jalapeño Lime Pilsner rub (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large Dutch oven on the stovetop, heat over medium heat until hot. Add onions and chilies and cook until soft. 
  2. Add in all the tomatoes, the water, and the chili seasoning mix and stir to combine. Heat over medium heat until simmering. 
  3. In a large bowl, mix together the meat ingredients, holding off on the rub, form into a large ball, sprinkle all sides with the jalapeño lime Pilsner rub (if using) and place the whole things on a rack above the chili. 
  4. Place onto your preheated pellet grill at 275 degrees. Cook for 45-60 minutes stirring the chili periodically. 
  5. Turn the grill up to 325-350 and continue cooking until the meat is 145-150 degrees. 
  6. Place the meat into the chili and break it apart. 
  7. Cook another 20 minutes, stirring well, and serve hot.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 327Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 752mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 4gSugar: 8gProtein: 27g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.

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Yield: 12 servings

Traeger Brisket Chili

Traeger Brisket Chili

Delicious hearty chili is made even better with the addition of leftover Traeger-smoked brisket. Use your favorite beans and your favorite toppings to make this chili your own!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 4 cups diced cooked brisket
  • 2 cans stewed tomatoes
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • 8 cups water
  • 2 packages Carroll Shelby's Chili Kit (or your favorite combination of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, etc.)
  • 1 can pinto beans, drained
  • 1 can chili beans
  • Cheese
  • Sour Cream

Instructions

  1. Place the diced brisket, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, and chili seasonings into a large pot.
  2. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 45 minutes.
  3. Add in the beans and gently cook until heated.
  4. Serve with sour cream and shredded cheese for garnish.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 385Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 837mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gProtein: 31g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!

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Yield: 8 servings

Easy Steak Chili

Easy Steak Chili

This easy steak chili uses that prime rib you couldn't quite finish up or those extra steaks! If you don't have enough, just fill in the gap with some ground beef and you'll have a delicious dinner that

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds meat (steak, leftover steak, ground beef, or a combination of those)
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 can stewed tomatoes
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 package Chili Kit (Carroll Shelby's Chili Kit, pictured below)
  • 1 can pinto beans, drained
  • 1 can chili beans
  • Cheese
  • Sour Cream

Instructions

  1. If you are using raw meat, season it with the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Brown the meat in a large pot with a tablespoon of oil in the bottom. If using cooked steak or prime rib, dice it into cubes now (and you can skip the browning process).
  2. Pour in the stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, and chili seasonings. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 45 minutes.
  3. Add in the beans and gently cook until heated.
  4. Serve with sour cream and shredded cheese for garnish.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 630Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 173mgSodium: 1503mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 5gSugar: 6gProtein: 57g

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Yield: 6 servings

Smoked Green Chile Chicken

Smoked Green Chili Chicken

Tender chicken breast smoked on the pellet grill with flavorful green chile sauce and my favorite verde rub!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon verde rub
  • 1 - 16-ounce jar verde salsa

Instructions

  1. Preheat the grill to 220°F.
  2. Put the chicken in a grill-safe baking dish and sprinkle with the verde rub.
  3. Place the dish on the grill and smoke for 30 minutes.
  4. Turn the heat up to 350°F and pour over the Verde salsa. Let it cook for another 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Shred the chicken and mix in the salsa from the baking dish. Serve in tacos, taquitos, tostadas, enchiladas, or burritos!

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 121Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 582mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 20g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.

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Yield: 8 servings

White Chicken Chili

White Chicken Chili

This easy white chicken chili is thick, delicious, and includes instructions for making it on the stovetop or in the pellet grill or smoker!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts

  • 4 cups chicken broth

  • 2 - 15.5 ounce can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 - 15.5 ounce can great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 - 15 ounce can corn, drained

  • 8 ounces canned diced green chiles

  • 2 teaspoons Tabasco Sauce

  • 2 teaspoons chili powder

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed & room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

  • 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

STOVETOP CHICKEN

  1. Pour the chicken broth into a large pot. Place the chicken breast into the pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and allow the chicken to cook for 15-20 minutes. 

SMOKED CHICKEN

  1. Preheat your smoker to 220°F. Season the chicken breasts with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
  2. Smoked for 30 minutes and then turn the heat on the grill up to 375°F. Continue cooking until the chicken reaches 165°F.
  3. Put the chicken stock into a large soup pot. Add the chicken and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.

SOUP

  1. Take the chicken out of the pot and shred it. 
  1. Place the shredded chicken, beans, corn, green chiles, Tabasco sauce, chili powder, onion powder, and salt back into the pot. Stir to combine.
  2. In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water together. Add the mixture to the soup and stir to combine. Let it simmer until thickened.
  3. Mix the cream cheese cubes in with the soup and then cover the pot with a lid.
  4. Allow the soup to continue cooking on low for 10 additional minutes. 
  5. Serve soup immediately with cilantro and jalapenos for garnish.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 824Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 224mgSodium: 1979mgCarbohydrates: 68gFiber: 16gSugar: 8gProtein: 93g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.

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Yield: 8 servings

Smoked Over The Top No-Bean Chili Recipe

Smoked Over The Top No Bean Chili

We're taking the Over The Top Chili recipe to a whole 'nother level with this no-bean version that's perfect for the bean-haters in your life!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

Meatball

  • 4 pounds ground beef
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder

Sauce

  • 1 large diced onion
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 28-ounces can whole peeled tomatoes
  • 1 10-ounce can of original Rotel
  • 10 ounces water
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic

Instructions

  1. Preheat your pellet grill to 250°F.
  2. While the grill is preheating, mix up your meatball with all of the seasonings, form into a large loaf, and place onto a wire rack that'll fit on top of your Dutch oven.
  3. In a Dutch oven on the stovetop, add the onion and the oil and saute over medium-high heat until the onions are softened and slightly browned. Add the rest of the Sauce ingredients and stir to combine.
  4. Place the wire rack with the meatball on it on top of the Dutch oven, and put the whole contraption into your smoker.
  5. Smoke the chili for 60 minutes at 225°F. Stir the sauce mixture occasionally to make sure it doesn't stick or burn.
  6. Turn the smoker up to 350°F. Let it cook at that temp until the meatball reaches 150°F. Put the meatball into the sauce and break it up with a meat masher.
  7. Let the mixture cook, stirring frequently, for another 30 minutes or so.
  8. Remove from the smoker and enjoy with your favorite chili fixings.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 678Total Fat: 42gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 202mgSodium: 724mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 3gSugar: 4gProtein: 63g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.

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Nicole Johnson

Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.

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