When you are craving a hearty bowl of chili but want it on the table faster, chicken is the answer. Keto chicken chili cooks much more quickly than the beef version, with just as much big, bold flavor.
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This is different from my Texas-Style Chili, that one is beef and takes longer in the slow cooker, this one simmers on the stovetop in under an hour.
Simmering the chicken right in the tomatoes keeps it tender and juicy, while the vegetables add real texture and flavor.
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Chef Jenn’s Take on Chicken Chili
Chicken does not like to be boiled, it gets tough, so a really low heat and a bare simmer is what you want here, not a rolling boil.
Brown the diced chicken first, then add celery, onion, and garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the chili powder and cook 1 more minute until fragrant. Add the oregano, diced tomatoes, and water, cover, and bring down to a bare simmer for 30 minutes. Add the green pepper and lime juice at the end, cooking just 5 more minutes, until the peppers are soft but not mush. Use fresh spices too, old ones lose their flavor fast.
Chili typically leans on starchy beans, black, pinto, kidney, or garbanzo, or masa, a corn product, both no-gos on keto. Watch your chili powder too, some brands sneak in sugar, always check the label, or make your own. My own Chili Spice Mix is loaded with big Southwestern flavor and genuinely keto-friendly.
Chicken thighs work in place of breast, and add more fat and flavor if you want it. Diced jalapeno added with the onion and celery brings real heat.
What You’ll Love About Chicken Chili
- Freezes fabulously, great for meal prep.
- Big, bold Texas flavor in under an hour, faster than the beef version.
- A hearty, succulent meal that comes together in one skillet.
Ingredients
- Chicken breast — Boneless, skinless. Chicken thighs work too, and add more fat and flavor.
- Avocado oil – For browning the chicken.
- Celery
- Onion
- Green pepper – Diced. Jalapeño, habanero, or serrano work if you want more heat.
- Chili powder – I recommend my Keto Chili Spice Mix.
- Oregano
- Garlic — Fresh is best!
- 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes – Undrained
- Tomato paste
- Salt and pepper – To taste.
How To Make This low Carb Chili Recipe
In a skillet over medium heat, add a bit of oil. Brown the chicken chunks, then add the celery, onion and garlic and cook until translucent.
Add the chili powder and cook an additional minute. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and oregano.
Simmer for 30 minutes until the chili is thickened and flavorful. Add the diced green pepper and lime juice and cook an additional 5 minutes.
How To Make Chicken Chili Keto
Chili is typically loaded with beans, the starchy not-good-for-keto kind of beans. Black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, and even garbonzo beans (chickpeas) are in recipes. Beans are fine, if you’re not doing keto. I’ve also seen chili recipes that call for masa, which is a corn product, and also a no-no on keto.
Making keto chili can be as simple as eliminating the beans. But, you also have to be careful about the chili powder you use. I’ve seen some brands that include sugar! So, always read the ingredient list, or better yet, make your own. This is my particular favorite chili powder recipe, and it’s loaded with all kinds of big and bold Southwestern flavors!
Make It A Meal
You can’t go wrong with Crispy Keto Chaffles for soaking up extra chili. For something fresh and tangy alongside, Pickle Slaw with Bacon or Cucumber & Feta Salad both work well.
If you love chili, Keto Texas-Style Chili is another great version to add to the rotation.
Storage
This freezes fabulously. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Keto chili freezes fabulously.
Just transfer your chicken chili to a freezer-safe container and store for up to three months. To reheat the chili, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then pop it in the microwave or heat it up in a saucepan before enjoying.
When made with low-carb ingredients, it definitely can be! This easy keto chili is made with chicken and vegetables, which are low in carbs, and tomatoes, which are fine in moderation. It’s definitely a keto-friendly dish!
Yes you can! Chicken thighs will increase the fat content, which adds tasty flavor. It’s entirely up to you which cut of chicken you’d like to use.
Enjoy a little heat in your chili? Me too! If you want to dial up the spice, feel free to use a hotter pepper like jalapeño, habanero, or even serrano peppers.
Add Preferred SourceKeto Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 pounds chicken breast boneless, skinless
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 28 ounce diced tomatoes
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup diced green bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- salt and pepper to taste
- tomato paste
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet with a tight fitting lid, over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken and brown on both sides.
- Add the chopped celery, onion and garlic to the pan. Cook over medium heat until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the chili powder and mix well to distribute the seasoning. Cook for an additional minute or until the dish is fragrant.
- Add the oregano, diced tomatoes, and water to the skillet and mix well. Put the lid on and turn the heat down to a bare simmer.
- Simmer for about 30 minutes.
- Add the green bell pepper and lime juice. Cook an additional 5 minutes or until the peppers are soft but not mush.
- Adjust the salt and pepper to taste, and serve!
Notes
Recipe Card Tips
- Keep the heat at a bare simmer, chicken gets tough if it’s boiled.
- Add the green pepper and lime juice at the very end, so the peppers stay soft, not mushy.
- Use fresh spices, old ones lose their flavor fast in a dish built on flavor.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed. Erythritol carbs (sugar substitutes) are not included in the carbohydrate counts as they have been shown not to impact blood sugar, and they have zero calories and zero carbs. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Hungry for Even More Easy Keto Recipes?
Here are some of my all-time favorite keto recipes:
- Grilled vegetables
- Salmon chowder
- Hearty Minestrone Soup
- Keto Corned Beef Hash
- and if you need help counting carbs, this Net Carb Calculator can help!
This chicken chili looks so delicious and bursting with so much flavor! We are going to love this for lunch today. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
I love chicken chilli for hearty comfort food and this keto version looks delicious.
This Chile chicken was so good and everyone in my family loved it! Great weeknight meal idea.
The chicken looks so tender and juicy. Great flavours too!
This chicken chili is delicious. Don’t even miss the carbs!
So glad you loved it!