18 Hearty Chili Recipes that hit the spot

Nothing says comfort like a hot bowl of chili, and this list covers it all—from smoky classics to spicy twists and cozy soups. Whether you’re using an Instant Pot or your slow cooker, these recipes bring the kind of rich, slow-cooked flavor that sticks with you. Some are loaded with beans, others go full meat, and a few borrow flavor from places like Buffalo wings or enchiladas. There’s something here for every chili fan and every kind of craving.

Instant Pot Chili Mac

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This one-pot meal blends classic chili flavor with tender elbow macaroni. The pressure cooker locks in all the savory spices while cooking everything fast. It’s cheesy, meaty, and totally filling. A true comfort dish with no need for sides.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chili Mac

Baked Potato Soup Chilis

A person holding a bowl of baked potato soup garnished, with similar bowls and a spoon on a checkered tablecloth. — Baked Potato Soup Chilis. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

Inspired by the popular restaurant version, this soup is creamy, rich, and loaded with potato chunks. Bacon, cheese, and sour cream take it even further. It’s thick like a chowder but smooth enough to sip. Ideal for cold nights or lazy weekends.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato Soup Chilis

Panera Bread Turkey Chili Recipe

A bowl of colorful bean and vegetable chili, featuring chickpeas, red kidney beans, carrots, and ground meat, placed on a patterned cloth with limes and a spoon nearby. — Panera Bread Turkey Chili Recipe. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

This copycat dish uses lean turkey, beans, and vegetables in a slightly sweet, smoky broth. It’s lighter than beef chili but still hearty. Warm spices and bold seasoning give it depth. Great with cornbread or over rice.
Get the Recipe: Panera Bread Turkey Chili Recipe

Instant Pot Three Bean Chicken Chili

This easy pressure cooker chili brings together shredded chicken, black beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans. Tomatoes and chili powder round it out for that deep, stew-like flavor. It’s thick, rich, and great for meal prep. Add cheese or avocado to serve.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Three Bean Chicken Chili

White Bean Veggie Chili

Packed with white beans, corn, peppers, and green chiles, this chili is light but still hearty. The broth is thickened just enough to coat the spoon. It’s meatless, but no one misses it. Serve with lime and tortilla chips for crunch.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Veggie 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 .

This soup is full of pulled chicken, black beans, corn, and a spicy tomato broth. It’s thinner than a chili but carries all the same bold flavors. The slow cooker does the work while the spices build. Top with crispy tortilla strips for the full effect.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup – Slow Cooker Recipe

Instant Pot Crack Chicken Chili

This creamy chili includes shredded chicken, ranch seasoning, bacon, and cream cheese for a rich, craveable twist. It cooks fast and comes out thick and loaded. One bite in and you’ll get why it’s called crack chili. Serve with green onions or hot sauce.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Crack Chicken Chili

Hearty Beef Chili

Thick and meaty, this chili sticks to the spoon with bold seasoning and rich tomato base. Ground beef, kidney beans, and smoky spices bring a deep, slow-cooked taste. Great on its own or ladled over fries or hot dogs. A go-to for big gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Beef Chili

Chicken Apple Cheddar Chili

This unexpected combo brings sweet and savory together with ground chicken, shredded apple, and cheddar. It’s creamy, slightly tart, and totally unique. A fall favorite with a cozy twist. Serve it with crusty bread to soak up every bite.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Apple Cheddar Chili

Smoked Chili

Slow-cooked over wood or in a smoker, this chili takes on a deep, smoky flavor that regular pots can’t touch. The meat becomes tender and rich while the spices deepen. It’s bold, spicy, and great with a beer on the side. Smoke it low and slow for best results.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chili

Beanless Chili

All meat, no fillers—this chili is rich with beef and chili seasoning, minus the beans. It’s thick, spicy, and perfect for keto or low-carb eaters. Great for topping nachos or hot dogs. A pure, bold bowl of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Beanless Chili

Hearty Pumpkin Chili

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

Pumpkin adds a subtle sweetness and velvety texture to this autumn-ready chili. It balances the heat of spices and the richness of beef or turkey. It’s unexpected but still totally cozy. Garnish with pumpkin seeds for crunch.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Pumpkin Chili

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili

This bold recipe takes the flavor of Buffalo wings and turns it into a chili. Shredded chicken, hot sauce, and ranch seasoning make it spicy and creamy. Blue cheese or cheddar brings it all together. Serve with celery sticks for the full effect.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili

Chicken Enchilada Soup – Chili’s Copycat

Two white ceramic bowls of soup topped with tortilla strips and cilantro, with a spoon in one bowl; a red chili pepper and cilantro are on the wooden surface nearby. — Chicken Enchilada Soup – Chili’s Copycat. Photo credit: xoxo Bella .

A rich, cheesy soup inspired by the restaurant version, packed with shredded chicken, corn, and enchilada sauce. It’s thick, spicy, and spoon-coating. The cheese makes it creamy without being heavy. Great with tortilla chips or crushed on top.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Soup – Chili’s Copycat

Instant Pot Chili

A basic beef and bean chili made fast with the pressure cooker. It’s everything you want in a bowl—savory, a little spicy, and perfectly thick. Works for weeknights or meal prep. Easy to customize with toppings or sides.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chili

Beer Chili Recipe

A bowl of beer chili with a hearty and spicy texture. — Beer Chili Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This chili adds beer to the base for a malty, slightly bitter depth that pairs well with smoky meat. It’s robust, with a sauce that simmers down thick. Choose a dark beer for best results. Great with cornbread or over baked potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Beer Chili Recipe

Brisket Chili

Chunks of slow-cooked brisket make this chili rich, smoky, and fall-apart tender. The meat brings a depth that ground beef can’t match, especially when simmered with bold spices and tomatoes. It’s thick, slightly spicy, and totally satisfying. Great served over cornbread or with a cold drink on the side.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Chili

Slow Cooker No Bean Chili

A bowl of chili topped with shredded cheese, sliced avocado, jalapeño, and a dollop of sour cream, placed on a black and white checkered cloth next to a spoon and halved avocado. — Slow Cooker No Bean Chili. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget .

This all-meat chili simmers low and slow until everything melts together into a deep, bold sauce. It’s rich with spices, thick with ground beef, and completely bean-free. The slow cooker does the work while the flavors deepen. Best with toppings like cheese, sour cream, or jalapeños.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker No Bean Chili