Chilli is a quintessential cold weather cosy food. The earliest chilli (or chilli con carne) recipes featured just three ingredients –red meat, spices, and chillies. Since its inception, chilli has evolved and come to include tomatoes, beans, corn, and onions, along with toppings like gratedcheese and sour cream, to tame the traditionally spicy dish. White chilli (aka chile verde) emerged as a milder version of the spicy red classic. Typically made with pork or chicken, spices, white beans, and green chillies, white chilli definitely has a welcome spot on our rotation of classic stews.
Ourslow cookerwhite chicken chillicouldn't be easier, and we love the texture it takes on once the beans are partially mashed. It might feel weird to use a potato masher in your slow cooker, but trust us, it's worth it! This hearty chilli will keep you full all winter long. It'll keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, and months in the freezer.
Pro tip #1:Want to add a kick of spice? Add ground cayenne 1/2 teaspoon at a time until it's spicy enough for you.
Pro tip #2:To make it vegan/vegetarian swap the chicken for a can of hominy.
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Makes: 6 servings
Prep Time: 0 hours 15 mins
Total Time: 3 hours 15 mins
Ingredients
620 ml low-sodium chicken stock
2 x 400g cans white beans, drained and rinsed
675 g boneless skinless chicken breasts
115 g green chillies
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 jalapeño, seeded and crushed, plus more for serving
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. ground cumin
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
150 g frozen corn
For serving
Sour cream
Sliced avocado
Thinly slicedjalapeño
Freshly chopped coriander
Lime wedges
Directions
- Add stock, beans, chicken, green chillies, onion, garlic, jalapeño, oregano, and cumin to the bowl of your slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper andcook on high for 2 to 3 hours, until chicken is tender.
- Remove chicken from chilli and shred. Use a potato masher to gently mash about 1/3 of thebeans before returning chicken to slow cooker. Stir in shredded chicken and corn and cover and season with more salt and pepper if needed. Leave slow cooker on warm until ready to serve.
- To serve, top with sour cream, avocado, jalapeño, coriander, and a squeeze of lime juice.
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8 Best Slow Cookers For The Easiest Yet Gourmet Dinners
Best Slow Cooker
Crock-Pot SCCPRC507B-060 Slow Cooker
currys.co.uk
£79.99
£39.99 (50% off)
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Our top-scoring slow cooker is a simple but classic model that can feed up to six people thanks to its removable (and dishwasher-safe!) 4.7-litre ceramic pot. Our testers also rated its integrated timer that will automatically switch settings so that your food stays warm even after the cooking is done.
On test, the curries, soups and stews were *chefs kiss*. All three scored highly and the meat and veg were cooked just so. The only mark against its name is the lack of auto cook function, but if that’s not a feature you’re after, this will serve you well.
Key Specs
Capacity: 4.7 litre
Pot: Ceramic
Lid: Glass
Number of heat settings: 2
Best Multi-Cooker
Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Multi-Cooker OP500UK
johnlewis.com
£179.00
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This multi-cooker isn’t cheap, but if you want to treat yourself, then it shouldn’t disappoint; it moonlights as everything from an airfryer to a dehydrator to a breadmaker. The slow cooking was as good as a dedicated model, too.
In testing, it retained an exceptional 99.27% of our dishes moisture, with even and tasty results –just make sure any meat is fully submerged as we did find that the odd bit of beef became dry where it wasn’t covered in sauce.
It’s intuitive to use, comes with a recipe book filled with interesting inspo and stayed cool during cooking. It’s not lean – although arguably you’re saving kitchen space having multiple bits of kit in one –but if you have room in your cupboard, it’s a mean cooking machine.
Key Specs
Capacity: 7.5 litre
Pot: Aluminium
Lid: Pressure lid
Number of settings: 9
Best For Feeding Friends
Russell Hobbs 24180 Chalkboard Slow Cooker
amazon.co.uk
£34.99
£25.00 (29% off)
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Whether you use the chalkboard exterior of this slow cooker as a menu, or invite your pals to decorate it, this slow cooker is certain to bring some fun to any get-together. The 3.5-litre pot fits plenty of food in and whipped up a particularly decent chicken curry on test.
Our testers found that the lid did shake when our cooking got a-bubbling, and water collected a tad in the rim, but the stylish matte black finish would look chic on any countertop. Overall, it makes for a reliable sous-chef.
Key Specs
Capacity: 3.5 litre
Pot: Ceramic
Lid: Glass
Number of heat settings: 3
Best On A Budget
Judge Slow Cooker 1.5L
amazon.co.uk
£27.99
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If you mainly cook for yourself or one other, firstly a slow cooker is the perfect way to whip up delicious meals without feeling like you’ve spent hours cooking only for the food to vanish in an instant, and second, this budget slow cooker is the one to go for.
The rich beef gravy and scrumptiously thick soup were particular standouts on test and the 1.5-litre design will tuck away nicely in most kitchens. It doesn’t have an indicator light and it did spit from time to time when we opened the lid, but we’d say the very appealing price point negates these niggles.
Key Specs
Capacity: 1.5 litres
Pot: Ceramic
Lid: Glass
Number of heat settings: 3
Best For Risotto
Sage Risotto Plus Slow/ Multi Cooker
amazon.co.uk
£139.00
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Inject a bit of la dolce vita into your cooking with this multi-cooker that specialises in making risotto easy. It sautés and steams veggies nicely too, all while impressing on the slow cooker front. It was a high-scorer on test, cooking our meals of choice mouthwateringly.
The exterior kept its cool with no temperature change recorded on the handles, and it was energy efficient too. Its instructions weren’t the most detailed but it definitely deserves some bonus points for its sleek design.
Key Specs
Capacity: 3.7 litre
Pot: Aluminium
Lid: Glass
Number of settings: 7
Best Sous Vide Slow Cooker
Russell Hobbs Sous Vide Slow Cooker 25630
amazon.co.uk
£90.99
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From Italy to France, this slow cooker is all about cooking sous-vide aka in a vacuum. All you have to do is pop your food in a pouch – which unfortunately you have to buy separately – and then place it in a temperature-controlled water bath, locking in all the juicy flavours.
It holds its own as a traditional slow cooker too and its 6.5-litre capacity is just what’s needed if you like to cater for a crowd. The electronic control panel allows you to easily monitor your cooking and you can manually adjust the cooking duration and temperature. Oh, and the food was top notch. Bon appetite!
Key Specs
Capacity: 6.5 litre
Pot: Ceramic
Lid: Tempered glass
Number of settings: 5
Best For Pressure Cooking
Sage The Fast Slow Pro Slow Cooker
johnlewis.com
£149.00
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This slow cooker-meets-pressure cooker is a premium machine that was first developed with Heston Blumenthal, and it shows. The serious bit of kit has a great range of pre-sets that let you cook a range of foods to the highest of standards.
It's energy efficient, has a nifty keep warm function and you can save your own settings. The hinged lid is a bit fiddly and it’s not small –but with a 6-litre capacity, that’s to be expected. We’d give it a Michelin star for sure.
Key Specs
Capacity: 6 litre
Pot: Ceramic
Lid: Stainless steel
Number of heat settings: 3
Best-Looking Slow Cooker
Salter Rose Gold Edition 3.5 Litre Slow Cooker
amazon.co.uk
£74.50
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Cute and compact, this is a winner if you’re tight on space or don’t want to annoy your flatmates with yet another kitchen appliance. The 3.5-litre pot means you can still cook up a decent feast, and in testing it was easy to use, energy efficient and retained moisture well.
For extra recipe info, it’s worth checking out the selection on the Salter website, but don’t expect much from the instructions. The pot had a tendency to move when we stirred, too, but it’s a fab machine for faff-free chef-ing.
Key Specs
Capacity: 3.5 litre
Pot: Ceramic
Lid: Glass
Number of heat settings: 3
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FAQs
Does slow cooking chili make it taste better? ›
Chili is perhaps the ideal slow-cooker dish because its flavor improves with a long, slow simmer. This makes a big batch, perfect for a cold-weather get-together, but if you're making it for a smaller group, the leftovers freeze well.
Can you prep crockpot chili the night before? ›Prep ahead Crockpot Chili
You can combine the cooked veggies and browned meat with all the other chili ingredients in the crockpot insert, cover, and store in the refrigerator for up to two days before cooking. Add an additional 60 minutes to the cooking time.
HOW LONG DOES creamy white chicken chili LAST? White Bean Chicken Chili tastes even better the next day! It will last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in slow cooker? ›Always cook your boneless skinless chicken breasts on LOW for the best results. I do not recommend cooking boneless chicken breast on HIGH, as it will become very dry, even if you check it early. On high, the chicken turns out drier; I consistently have the best results with low.
Is chili better on stove or slow cooker? ›Where it the stove top really beat it, though, was the consistency. The slow cooker chili had more liquid in it than the winner due likely to condensation on the lid and potentially cooking on lower heat, though most testers would eagerly eat it again.
What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›Spices: While cumin, chile powder, and cayenne pepper tend to be common additions to many chili recipes, there's a broad world of flavor out there to experiment with. Try a little fenugreek, turmeric, garam masala, or sumac to layer in more complex flavors. Smoky paprika is my own personal favorite.
Can you overcook chili in a slow cooker? ›The answer is yes, you can overcook chili in a crockpot. If you cook it for too long, the meat will become dry and tough and the vegetables will turn to mush. But there's no need to worry if you accidentally leave your chili on the crockpot for too long.
How long can chili sit in slow cooker? ›You can leave chili in a crockpot on warm for up to four hours. After four hours, the chili will start to break down and become less flavorful. If you are planning on serving the chili later in the day, it is best to put it in the fridge and reheat it when you are ready to eat.
How many days ahead can you make chili? ›Make it Ahead
Let it sit in the fridge a day or two and the flavors all come together! Chili can absolutely be made ahead and kept in the fridge for a busy night. You can make this chili recipe a couple days ahead and keep it for up to 4 days in a covered container in the fridge.
Too much stock: Although chicken or beef stock adds an earthy flavor to chili, it can result in a watery mixture if you use too much. To fix this issue, add more solid ingredients, such as veggies, meat, and beans, or let your chili cook longer.
Can you overcook chicken chili? ›
In general, chili should be cooked for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. However, it is possible to overcook chili, which can result in a bland and unappetizing dish.
Can you leave chicken chili out overnight? ›Chili is a perishable food that should never be consumed after it has been left out overnight. According to the USDA, any food that has been left out at room temperature for more than two hours should be discarded.
Can you just put raw chicken in a slow cooker? ›Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!
Should chicken be covered in liquid in slow cooker? ›Pour water over the chicken breasts so that it just barely covers them. Sprinkle the chicken breasts with plenty of salt and pepper. Cover your crock pot and cook chicken breasts on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Chicken is done when the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F.
Should you flip chicken in slow cooker? ›No flipping or turning, no doing anything more than simply throwing everything inside – the slow cooker does all the work for you.
What are the two main benefits of a slow cooker? ›As a result of the long, low-temperature cooking, slow cookers help tenderize less-expensive cuts of meat. A slow cooker brings out the flavor in foods. A wide variety of foods can be cooked in a slow cooker, including one pot meals, soups, stews and casseroles. A slow cooker uses less electricity than an oven.
What makes chili taste the best? ›Fresh herbs like cilantro, basil or parsley can also enhance the flavor. Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.
Are white or yellow onions better for chili? ›Yellow and white onions provide a distinct red color to your cooking, but red onions also provide a tasty flavor substitute. If you want a bright onion flavor that stands out against the other seasonings in chili, you should use a white onion.
What liquid should I add to chili? ›Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.
What is the secret to award winning chili? ›Always bloom your spices
Adding salt and chili spices at the end won't infuse the dish with true depth of flavor. Instead, bring out the flavor of the spices by adding them when you brown the meat or soften the onions. This “blooming” process releases the spice's essential oils.
Why do you put white vinegar in chili? ›
Stirred into the pot right before serving, a spoonful of vinegar brightens up the finished product, and gives it that full, rounded taste that was missing. Even if the chili recipe you're using doesn't call for vinegar, go ahead and add it anyway. You won't actually taste the tang or sharp flavor of the vinegar.
What foods should not go in a slow cooker? ›- Lean meats. ...
- Raw meat. ...
- Too much liquid. ...
- Delicate vegetables. ...
- Too much spice. ...
- Dairy. ...
- Too much booze. ...
- Meat that has the skin on.
If you're going to cook a large amount of chili, you can do so in a crockpot for up to 10 hours. The beef and beans will deteriorate over time, and the chili will become mushy.
Should you cook chili covered or uncovered? ›Chili can be cooked uncovered or covered, but both are preferable. Chili cooked uncovered will thicken and reduce in liquid, making it a more hearty dish. When covering your chili, you will keep the heat in and prevent it from boiling over.
Can you reheat chili in a slow cooker? ›If you want to reheat your chili in a slow cooker, you can, but it will take longer than reheating on the stove. Put the chili in the slow cooker on low heat and stir occasionally. It will take about two hours to reheat this way. In a slow cooker, the food can be completely safe to eat overnight.
Can chili sit out overnight and still be good? ›The answer is no. Chili should not be left out all night. Bacteria can grow rapidly in chili and other foodborne illness can occur. If you have leftovers, refrigerate them within 2 hours of cooking.
Can you leave a crockpot on warm all night? ›Slow cookers are designed to be left to cook for long periods of time, so the truth is that it's entirely safe to leave your slow cooker on overnight, if you're out the house or if you're at work all day, as long as you follow all the directions and the manufacturer's instructions.
What is the most important ingredient in chili? ›The key to a great chili recipe is to find the right balance of spices and flavors. Ground cinnamon and chili powder, diced carrots and sweet potatoes, and ground cinnamon and chili powder all add depth, warmth, and flavor.
Should chili be thick or soupy? ›The consistency of a bowl of chili should be soupy. A thick and hearty chili should be made with lean ground beef, which is less fattening. It is also a good idea to cook your chili without a lid to prevent moisture evaporation. To make runny chili better, add a cornstarch slurry, mashed beans, or tomato paste.
Why do you put celery in chili? ›Celery is a common ingredient in many soup and stew recipes, but can it be used in chili? The answer is yes! While celery doesn't have a strong flavor, it does add a nice crunch and can help to bulk up a chili recipe. If you're looking for a new way to mix up your chili, give celery a try.
Does cooking chili longer make it taste better? ›
Chili takes a long time to cook because the flavors need time to meld together. The longer it cooks, the more the flavors will develop and the better the chili will taste. So, if you have the time, let your chili cook for as long as possible.
Does chili get better the longer it simmers? ›The chili can cook on a high simmer with the lid off for 30-45 minutes, or up to 2 hours on a low simmer with the lid on. How do you make chili more flavorful? The longer that you simmer a chili, the more flavorful it will be, because it allows the spices and seasonings to develop further.
What makes chili more flavorful? ›Fresh herbs like cilantro, basil or parsley can also enhance the flavor. Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.
Is it better to cook Chilli longer? ›Cook it long enough
How long you cook chili absolutely makes a difference. Chili recipes need time for flavors to meld and come together, and collagen-rich meat (like chuck roast or ground beef) needs 90 minutes to two hours to fully break down and become tender.
Cover and cook on low for 10 to 12 hours. Cooking chili for an extended period of time is one of the most rewarding aspects of the dish. It is possible to cook chili overnight in a slow cooker for up to 8 hours. When the beans and beef are overcooked or mushy, the cooking time exceeds eight hours.
What happens if you slow cook chili too long? ›But can you overcook chili in a crockpot? The answer is yes, you can overcook chili in a crockpot. If you cook it for too long, the meat will become dry and tough and the vegetables will turn to mush. But there's no need to worry if you accidentally leave your chili on the crockpot for too long.
What is the secret to great chili? ›- Cocoa Powder. Chocolate might not be the first thing you think of when you're making a batch of chili but it pairs perfectly with peppers. ...
- Beer. Why use water or stock as your liquid when you could add beer? ...
- Coffee. ...
- Cinnamon.
The little bit of extra time allows flavor to soak into the meat, while the mixture develops a thicker, more sumptuous texture. There's some quick science going on here: Aromatics like onions, garlic, chiles, and spices release their volatile oils as they cook, and while they cool they continue to release.
What liquid is best for chili? ›Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.
Why do you put butter in chili? ›Butter smooths out the bitterness and adds its unique richness, making you take another bite without quite knowing why. A dash of sugar and vinegar gives a sweet-sour flavor that also makes the sauce rounder and more satisfying.
How long can you leave chilli in slow cooker? ›
You can leave chili in a crockpot on warm for up to four hours. After four hours, the chili will start to break down and become less flavorful. If you are planning on serving the chili later in the day, it is best to put it in the fridge and reheat it when you are ready to eat.
Should I leave chili covered or uncovered? ›Chili can be cooked uncovered or covered, but both are preferable. Chili cooked uncovered will thicken and reduce in liquid, making it a more hearty dish. When covering your chili, you will keep the heat in and prevent it from boiling over.