Rotisserie Chicken Chili: A Flavorful and Easy Weeknight Meal
Chili is a classic comfort food, perfect for a chilly evening or a casual get-together. But sometimes, you just don’t have the time to spend hours simmering a pot on the stove. That’s where rotisserie chicken comes in! Using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken significantly cuts down on prep time, making this Rotisserie Chicken Chili a weeknight winner.
This recipe combines the convenience of rotisserie chicken with the hearty flavors of chili, resulting in a dish that’s both quick to make and incredibly satisfying. It’s a great way to use leftover rotisserie chicken, too, reducing food waste and saving you money. We’ll guide you through each step, offering tips and variations to make this chili your own.
## Why Rotisserie Chicken Chili is a Game Changer
Forget spending hours browning ground beef or cubing chicken breasts. Rotisserie chicken brings several advantages to the chili party:
* **Speed:** The chicken is already cooked! This shaves off a significant amount of cooking time.
* **Flavor:** Rotisserie chickens are typically seasoned generously, adding depth and complexity to your chili.
* **Convenience:** Pick one up on your way home from work and dinner is halfway done.
* **Versatility:** You can use any flavor of rotisserie chicken (herb-roasted, lemon pepper, etc.) to subtly alter the chili’s taste profile.
* **Lean Protein:** Rotisserie chicken offers a healthy dose of lean protein, making this a nutritious and filling meal.
## The Essential Ingredients for Rotisserie Chicken Chili
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s gather our ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
* **Rotisserie Chicken:** The star of the show! You’ll need about 3 cups of shredded chicken. Remove the skin and bones. You can use a store-bought or homemade rotisserie chicken.
* **Olive Oil:** Used for sautéing the vegetables. You can substitute with another cooking oil like canola or avocado oil.
* **Onion:** Diced onion forms the base of our chili, adding savory flavor. Yellow or white onions work best.
* **Bell Pepper:** Diced bell pepper adds sweetness and color. You can use any color you like (green, red, yellow, orange), or a combination.
* **Jalapeño Pepper (optional):** For a touch of heat. Remove the seeds and membranes for a milder flavor.
* **Garlic:** Minced garlic adds pungent flavor. Use fresh garlic for the best results.
* **Canned Diced Tomatoes:** The foundation of the chili sauce. Use fire-roasted diced tomatoes for an extra layer of flavor.
* **Canned Tomato Sauce:** Adds body and richness to the chili.
* **Canned Black Beans:** Rinsed and drained black beans add texture and fiber. You can substitute with kidney beans, pinto beans, or cannellini beans.
* **Canned Corn:** Adds sweetness and a pop of color. You can use frozen corn instead, if preferred.
* **Chili Powder:** The quintessential chili spice blend. Adjust the amount to your desired level of spiciness.
* **Cumin:** Adds earthy and warm flavor.
* **Oregano:** Adds a touch of Mediterranean flavor.
* **Smoked Paprika:** Adds smoky depth and complexity.
* **Chicken Broth:** Adds moisture and flavor. Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt level.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste.
* **Toppings (optional):** Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, green onions, tortilla chips, lime wedges.
## Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Rotisserie Chicken Chili
Now that we have our ingredients, let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps to create a delicious and satisfying Rotisserie Chicken Chili.
**Step 1: Prepare the Chicken**
* Remove the skin from the rotisserie chicken and discard (or save for another use, like crispy chicken skin snacks!).
* Shred the chicken meat using your fingers or two forks. Aim for about 3 cups of shredded chicken.
* Set the shredded chicken aside.
**Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables**
* In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
* Add the diced onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
* If using, add the diced jalapeño pepper along with the onion and bell pepper.
* Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
**Step 3: Add the Remaining Ingredients**
* Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika.
* Pour in the chicken broth and stir to combine.
* Bring the mixture to a simmer.
**Step 4: Simmer the Chili**
* Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for at least 30 minutes. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld together. You can simmer it for up to 1-2 hours for an even richer flavor.
* Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
**Step 5: Add the Chicken**
* Stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken and heat through, about 5-10 minutes.
* Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasonings as needed. Add more chili powder for extra heat, or more cumin for a warmer flavor.
**Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!**
* Ladle the Rotisserie Chicken Chili into bowls.
* Top with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, green onions, tortilla chips, and a squeeze of lime juice.
* Serve hot and enjoy!
## Tips and Variations for the Best Rotisserie Chicken Chili
* **Spice it up:** For a spicier chili, add more chili powder, cayenne pepper, or a pinch of red pepper flakes. You can also use a hotter variety of jalapeño pepper, such as serrano or habanero. Be cautious when adding extra heat, as it’s easier to add more than to take it away.
* **Make it smoky:** Add a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce for a smoky flavor. Finely chop the chipotle pepper and add it to the pot along with the other spices. Start with one pepper and add more to taste.
* **Add more vegetables:** Feel free to add other vegetables to your chili, such as diced carrots, celery, or zucchini. Add them along with the onion and bell pepper.
* **Use different beans:** Experiment with different types of beans, such as kidney beans, pinto beans, or cannellini beans. You can also use a combination of beans.
* **Make it vegetarian:** Omit the rotisserie chicken and add more beans or vegetables to make it a vegetarian chili. You can also add a vegetarian meat substitute, such as plant-based ground beef.
* **Add some sweetness:** A tablespoon of brown sugar or molasses can add a subtle sweetness to the chili and balance out the spiciness.
* **Thicken the chili:** If your chili is too thin, you can thicken it by simmering it uncovered for a longer period of time, allowing some of the liquid to evaporate. You can also mash some of the beans with a fork and stir them back into the chili to add thickness.
* **Use a slow cooker:** This recipe can easily be adapted for a slow cooker. Simply combine all of the ingredients (except the shredded chicken) in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Stir in the shredded chicken during the last 30 minutes of cooking time.
* **Make it ahead:** Rotisserie Chicken Chili is a great make-ahead dish. The flavors will actually improve as it sits in the refrigerator. Store the chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
* **Freeze it:** Chili freezes well, making it a perfect meal to batch cook and freeze for later. Allow the chili to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
## Serving Suggestions
Rotisserie Chicken Chili is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways:
* **Classic chili:** Serve it in a bowl with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, and green onions.
* **Chili dogs:** Top hot dogs with Rotisserie Chicken Chili and your favorite condiments.
* **Chili cheese fries:** Pour Rotisserie Chicken Chili over a bed of french fries and top with shredded cheese.
* **Chili nachos:** Layer tortilla chips with Rotisserie Chicken Chili, shredded cheese, and other nacho toppings.
* **Chili baked potatoes:** Top baked potatoes with Rotisserie Chicken Chili and your favorite toppings.
* **Chili mac and cheese:** Stir Rotisserie Chicken Chili into mac and cheese for a hearty and flavorful meal.
## Recipe Card: Rotisserie Chicken Chili
**Yields:** 6-8 servings
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 45 minutes
**Ingredients:**
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 medium onion, diced
* 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
* 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
* 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
* 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
* 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
* 2 tablespoons chili powder
* 1 teaspoon cumin
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
* 4 cups chicken broth
* 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, green onions, tortilla chips, lime wedges
**Instructions:**
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño pepper (if using) and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
4. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika.
5. Pour in the chicken broth and stir to combine.
6. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
7. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1-2 hours for a richer flavor. Stir occasionally.
8. Stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken and heat through, about 5-10 minutes.
9. Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasonings as needed.
10. Ladle the Rotisserie Chicken Chili into bowls and top with your favorite toppings.
11. Serve hot and enjoy!
## Nutritional Information (Approximate, per serving):
* Calories: 350-450
* Protein: 30-40g
* Fat: 15-25g
* Carbohydrates: 30-40g
* Fiber: 8-10g
*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on specific ingredients and portion sizes.*
## Conclusion
Rotisserie Chicken Chili is a quick, easy, and flavorful meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. By using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, you can significantly reduce prep time without sacrificing flavor. This recipe is also incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize it to your liking with different spices, vegetables, and toppings. So, the next time you’re looking for a satisfying and comforting meal, give this Rotisserie Chicken Chili a try. You won’t be disappointed!