7 of the Best Healthy Chili Recipes

Whether you’re new here or are an OG Ambitious Kitchen reader, you’re probably familiar with my best healthy turkey chili recipe. Did you know it’s the most popular recipe on AK of all time?! Oh yeah, so you know it’s the real deal. Did you also know that I have over 5 more delicious, healthy chili recipes that you’ll love? That’s right, you came to the right post for all of your game day, weeknight dinner, and meal prep chili needs.

Here you’ll find a mix of ground turkey, chicken & bean-based chilis, but feel free to use your favorite ground meat or beans.

Easy ways to customize your chili

One of the many reasons I love making chili is that it’s totally customizable to whatever is in your kitchen! Here are some great ways to customize chili recipes:

• Pick your protein. As I mentioned, I typically use ground turkey, chicken, and beans in my chili recipes, but you can easily swap them around! Keep any chili recipe vegetarian by adding an extra can of beans in place of the meat, and feel free to use ground beef if you’d like.
• Add veggies. Chili recipes are perfect for sneaking in tons of veggies. Feel free to mix and match with bell peppers, corn, carrots, and even heartier vegetables like sweet potato, butternut squash, and pumpkin!
• Choose your spice. We LOVE spice in my house, so I like to add plenty of cayenne pepper or even fresh jalapeño to my recipes. If you’re sensitive to spice or are serving kids, simply omit these spicy ingredients! You can always douse your own bowl in hot sauce anyway. **Remember to double-check your chili powder brand, too, to see if it’s spicy (I always use McCormick, which is a mild chili powder).

The best beans to use in chili

You can really use any beans you’d like! Be sure to use fully cooked or canned beans (which are cooked).

• In a tomato-based chili, I like to use a mix of black beans, kidney beans, and sometimes pinto beans.
• In a white chili, I like to use chickpeas or white beans.

How can I thicken my chili?

• Adding enough protein and vegetables per the amount of liquid in chili is the key to getting the right texture.
• You’ll also want to be sure to simmer the chili in your pot or dutch oven with the lid OFF so that the liquid can evaporate more and the chili can thicken.
• As a last resort and to really thicken your chili, you can mix some of the hot broth from the chili with a little flour in a separate bowl until there are no flour lumps, then mix it back into your pot of chili.

How to freeze chili

Once your chili is completely cooled, just place it in an airtight container (or multiple, if you’d like to meal prep it) without the additional toppings. Place the container(s) in your freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw the vegetarian chili overnight and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave when you’re ready to eat.

What to serve with these chili recipes

Besides some extra chips for dipping, here are some other amazing sides to serve with any of these healthy chili recipes:

• The Best Fluffy Moist Cornbread Recipe Ever
• Tortilla Chip-Crusted Baked Jalapeño Poppers
• Caramelized Garlic Carrots with Spicy Cilantro Yogurt Sauce
• Brussels Sprouts Kale Honeycrisp Apple Salad with Maple Cider Dressing
• The Best Guacamole You’ll Ever Eat (add a dollop on top — YUM)
• Crispy Smashed Potatoes
• The Best Garlic Bread You’ll Ever Eat

Double or triple these for a crowd (perfect for the big game tomorrow!) and enjoy a warm bowl of healthy chili with a few extra chips on the side. If you make any of these recipes be sure to leave a comment and let me know how you liked it! Snap a photo and share it on Instagram with the hashtag #ambitiouskitchen, and in our Facebook group. Enjoy, xoxo!

The Best Healthy Turkey Chili

Healthy turkey chili made with lean ground turkey, kidney beans and corn. This famous recipe is perfectly spiced, packed with plenty of protein and fiber, and is simply the BEST. Make it on the stovetop or in your slow cooker for an easy, delicious weeknight dinner.

Slow Cooker Black Bean Quinoa Pumpkin Chicken Chili

Delicious slow cooker pumpkin chicken chili with black beans and quinoa. This hearty, protein packed pumpkin chicken chili recipe is perfectly spiced and wonderful paired with a side of cornbread. Top with your fav fixins and enjoy!

Healthy White Chicken Chili

Healthy white chicken chili that’s nice and creamy, yet there’s no cream! Made with green chile, chicken, corn and blended chickpeas to make it thick and creamy. This easy white chicken chili recipe can even be made in the slow cooker and is bound to become a new family favorite. Serve with avocado, tortilla chips and cilantro.

Actually, the Best Vegetarian Chili Ever

This is actually THE BEST vegetarian chili recipe you’ll ever make! You won’t believe there isn’t any meat in this delicious, easy vegetarian chili made with two kinds of beans, veggies, tender sweet potato and sweet corn. Perfectly spiced, thick and hearty, and easy to make on the stovetop or in your slow cooker!

White Chicken Chili Pie with Pumpkin Cornbread Crust

Delicious white chicken chili pie with a wonderful pumpkin cornbread crust. This hearty and warming white chicken chili pie is easily gluten free, dairy free, and the perfect mix of sweet and savory. An amazing dinner for the whole family!

Slow Cooker Black Bean Pumpkin Turkey Chili

Delicious, healthy slow cooker black bean pumpkin turkey chili bursting with sweet & spicy flavors thanks to hints of maple, cinnamon, chili powder & cayenne. This easy slow cooker pumpkin turkey chili recipe is freezer-friendly and great for busy weeknights! The perfect fall dinner.

Black Bean, Sweet Potato, and Quinoa Chili with Smoked Chipotle

Flavorful, vegetarian chipotle black bean sweet potato chili filled with plant-based protein from two cans of black beans and hearty quinoa. Top with a cooling smoked chipotle greek yogurt creme to take it to the next level! This healthy chili is made in one pot and is perfect for weeknight dinners.

If you make any of these healthy chili recipes I’d love for you to head over to the recipe to leave a comment and rating — I appreciate it so much! xo!