23 chili recipes for chilly nights

Cool air calls for something warm and bold. Big pots, deep flavors, and cozy vibes take over the kitchen. These 23 chili recipes bring the heat when the nights turn cold. Grab a bowl, kick back, and let the chill fade away!

Easy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

A bowl of chili with beans, corn, diced avocado, sour cream, sliced peppers, and cilantro, garnished with tortilla chips. — Easy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Let the ingredients do the work while everything comes together on its own. A bowl of Easy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili delivers plenty of comfort without a long list of steps. Nothing fancy, just warm, hearty flavor that holds up for days.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Kabocha Squash Chili

Soft squash and hearty beans work surprisingly well together. Kabocha Squash Chili blends texture and depth into one cozy bowl. Feels like the kind of meal that makes you want to sit and stay a while.
Get the Recipe: Kabocha Squash Chili

Beanless Chili

A bowl of chili topped with green onions and red onions, garnished with a lime wedge, on a plate with a piece of cornbread and a spoon. — Beanless Chili. Photo credit: xoxobella.

Meat takes the lead here, with no extras in the way. Beanless Chili is thick, bold, and made for those who like it straight to the point. Every bite stays full of flavor from start to finish.
Get the Recipe: Beanless Chili

Green Chili Chicken Soup

Overhead shot of a pot of the soup with two bowls of the soup and garnishes. — Green Chili Chicken Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Let the spice carry the warmth through every spoonful. The bold flavor in Green Chili Chicken Soup adds just enough heat without overpowering the comfort. Great for cold nights or whenever dinner needs a kick.
Get the Recipe: Green Chili Chicken Soup

Vegan White Chickpea Chili

Bowl of creamy soup with corn, beans, tortilla chips, sliced jalapeños, avocado, sour cream, and cilantro garnish. — Vegan White Chickpea Chili. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Creamy, mild, and full of texture, this one brings something different to the table. Vegan White Chickpea Chili leans on pantry staples but still feels complete. Great for feeding a group or prepping meals ahead.
Get the Recipe: Vegan White Chickpea Chili

Brisket Chili

A good cut of meat can change the whole feel of a pot of chili. With tender bites and a rich base, Brisket Chili brings the kind of flavor that lasts long after dinner’s done. Best served with something to soak it up.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Chili

Chicken Salad Sandwich with Chili Crisp

Rectangular wooden tray with four sandwiches filled with a mixture of shredded vegetables and lettuce on white and brown bread, placed on parchment paper. Peanuts and a glass of water nearby. — Chicken Salad Sandwich with Chili Crisp. Photo credit: xoxobella.

The crunch cuts through in the best way. That mix of cool and heat in Chicken Salad Sandwich with Chili Crisp keeps every bite interesting. A quick fix that doesn’t feel basic.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Salad Sandwich with Chili Crisp

Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe

A bowl of Texas roadhouse chili with jalapenos and beans. — Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Big flavor and a simple base make this one hard to beat. Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe brings all the warmth and meatiness of the original in a pot you can make at home. Strong enough to be the whole meal.
Get the Recipe: Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe

Instant Pot Turkey Chili

Bowl of chili with baked tortilla strips. — Instant Pot Turkey Chili. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Light but still filling, this chili works for any day of the week. The mix in Instant Pot Turkey Chili keeps things balanced without cutting back on comfort. Strong flavor makes it an easy repeat.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Turkey Chili

Instant Pot Vegan Acorn Squash Chili

A bowl of bean stew with tomatoes and a spoon on a textured blue surface. — Instant Pot Vegan Acorn Squash Chili. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Bold, a little sweet, and easy to enjoy, this chili keeps things interesting. The balance of flavor in Instant Pot Vegan Acorn Squash Chili makes it more than just another meatless option. One bowl goes a long way when it’s built like this.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Vegan Acorn Squash Chili

The Ultimate Chili Bar

A pot of chili with a ladle, surrounded by toppings such as shredded cheese, diced onions, cornbread, cilantro, jalapeños, and chips. — The Ultimate Chili Bar. Photo credit: xoxobella.

Everyone gets what they want without extra work in the kitchen. With The Ultimate Chili Bar, it’s more about setup than cooking. That one-pot base turns into something fun for the whole table.
Get the Recipe: The Ultimate Chili Bar

Turkey Chili Pie

Cornbread on top, chili underneath, and everything baked into one dish. Turkey Chili Pie is hearty enough to stand alone but also easy to share. A smart way to turn chili into a full dinner.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Chili Pie

Hearty Pumpkin Chili

A bowl of chili topped with avocado and peppers. — Hearty Pumpkin Chili. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Earthy and thick, this version leans into comfort without being too heavy. Hearty Pumpkin Chili is rich enough to hold its own without needing meat. Feels like something you’d come back to for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Pumpkin Chili

Lentil And Butternut Squash Vegetarian Chili

Bowl of lentil curry with yogurt, topped with cilantro, and served with crunchy flatbread. — Lentil And Butternut Squash Vegetarian Chili. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Hearty without being heavy, this dish comes through every time. Lentil And Butternut Squash Vegetarian Chili offers a thick, rich base with tons of texture. Nothing gets wasted when it’s this easy to enjoy again the next day.
Get the Recipe: Lentil And Butternut Squash Vegetarian Chili

Chicken Enchilada Soup - Chili's Copycat

Bowl of chili topped with crispy tortilla strips and cilantro. Surrounding the bowl are fresh cilantro leaves and a whole red chili pepper. — Chicken Enchilada Soup - Chili's Copycat. Photo credit: xoxobella.

All the comfort of enchiladas, but in one spoonable bowl. Chicken Enchilada Soup brings warmth and creaminess with just enough heat to keep things balanced. Perfect for those nights when dinner needs to be easy but bold.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Soup - Chili's Copycat

Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Chili

Bowl of chili with beans, shredded cheese, avocado chunks, sour cream, fresh herbs, and a spoon. — Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Chili. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Smoky heat meets a creamy base in this one. Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Chili balances boldness with comfort without needing much on the side. Leftovers reheat well for lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Chili

Venison Chili

A bowl of chili topped with sour cream, shredded cheese, and sliced jalapeños. Surrounded by saltine crackers and tortilla chips. A spoon is in the bowl. — Venison Chili. Photo credit: xoxobella.

Deep flavor and simple ingredients keep this one feeling strong and steady. Venison Chili holds up next to cornbread, over rice, or on its own. Every spoonful packs a little more punch than expected.
Get the Recipe: Venison Chili

Copycat Chili's Southwest Chicken Soup – Slow Cooker Recipe

Bowl of chicken soup with avocado and cilantro on top, spoon in bowl, tortilla chips and avocado beside, placed on a striped cloth. — Copycat Chili's Southwest Chicken Soup – Slow Cooker Recipe. Photo credit: Mama's on a Budget.

Layers of spice, texture, and plenty of kick all come together in this one. Copycat Chili's Southwest Chicken Soup delivers big flavor with every scoop. Easy to top with whatever’s already in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chili's Southwest Chicken Soup – Slow Cooker Recipe

Chipotle Chicken Fresh Mex Bowl - Chili's Copycat

A little smoky, a little spicy, and full of color. Chipotle Chicken Fresh Mex Bowl builds layer after layer without overdoing it. Easy to prep, easy to customize, and easy to finish.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Chicken Fresh Mex Bowl - Chili's Copycat

Slow Cooker Chili Mac

This combo brings together two weeknight favorites in one dish. Slow Cooker Chili Mac blends pasta and chili into something hearty and easy to scoop. Makes enough to feed a full table without fuss.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

A white bowl filled with shredded chicken, corn, tortilla strips, and herbs sits on a table with other bowls containing similar ingredients. — Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili. Photo credit: xoxobella.

Smooth texture and gentle heat make this one easy to reach for again. Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili comes together without much effort but still feels complete. Makes enough to feed a full table with no fuss.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Sweet Chili Wings

Sticky, warm, and full of kick, these wings bring more than just heat. Sweet Chili Wings work just as well for game nights or easy dinners. Serve with something cool on the side for balance.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Chili Wings

Crockpot Green Chili Chicken

Three chicken tacos topped with cilantro, avocado and red onions on a wooden cutting board. — Crockpot Green Chili Chicken. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Heat comes through without being too much. Crockpot Green Chili Chicken works great over rice, stuffed into tortillas, or just eaten straight from the bowl. It’s flexible, filling, and full of comfort.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Green Chili Chicken