These Healthy Chili Recipes are perfect for a fall or winter day! With fresh ingredients, reduced sodium, and lower fat there is something for everyone whether you’re a vegetarian, enjoy lean protein or even traditional beef chili.

Chili is a game day favorite and we often serve ours along with air fryer nachos, healthy spinach dip and buffalo chicken cucumber bites.

A collage of healthy chili recipes.

Chili is a popular dish for friends, tailgating, and parties! Many store brands are loaded with calories and fat, but not these best healthy chili recipes. With lean meat, beans, spices and vegetables, these stew recipes are flavorful and better for you!

Why You’ll Love These Recipes

  • Reduced sodium, fat and calories: These chili recipes make healthier swaps without sacrificing flavor!
  • Nutritious: Vitamin packed veggies, lean protein, and fiber plus iron filled beans.
  • Classic comfort food: Is nourishing for your soul and the perfect meal to come home to on a cold day! 
  • Spices: From clearing congestion to enhancing flavor to boosting antioxidant levels, there is a reason chili loaded with chili powder, cumin, cayenne or red pepper is a wintertime staple!

Canned Beans Tip

Also here is detailed tutorial how to cook dried beans on the stove which cuts back on sodium and BPA in any of your chili recipe!

The Best Healthy Chili Recipes

Healthy White Chicken Chili

Healthy White Chicken Chili does not contain any cream cream cheese or heavy cream, but uses Greek Yogurt and smashed white beans to give it incredible creamy taste. A favorite healthy chili that has been reviewed with 5 stars over and over again and best of all you can make it a healthy chili recipe slow cooker, stovetop or Instant Pot.

White chili in bowl with sliced avocado and jalapeno.

Healthy Turkey Chili

High protein Turkey Chili is your answer to ‘is chili healthy?’! Yes, indeed when it comes to this healthy turkey chili recipe! It’s full of lean protein, vegetables and spices and better for you ingredients. Serve with Mexican kale salad to add some additional veg!

Turkey chili in a bowl with sour cream, cheese and cilantro.

Buffalo Chicken Chili Recipe

Love buffalo wings but want that flavor in a chili recipe? Buffalo Chicken Chili is the answer! All the flavors of your favorite wings but in a saucier form and then topped with creamy blue cheese, you will wonder why you didn’t make this sooner.

Buffalo chili with blue cheese, lime and cilantro.

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

A hands off version of a favorite! Instant Pot White Chicken Chili is made lighter by using a combination of cream cheese and Greek yogurt and can be made with canned or dried beans. A crowd favorite when it comes to chili! Don’t forget to top with diced avocado and a squirt of lime, yum!

Chili in Instant Pot with a spoon, lime, chopped avocado and cilantro.

Instant Pot Chili

A healthy chili recipe beef? It exists! This Instant Pot Chili is hearty and comforting, yet healthy! Ready in under 2 hours and the flavors just get better as it sits, making it the perfect game day chili dinner idea.

Chili with beans in white bowl topped with cheese, green onion and cilantro.

Ground Chicken Chili

Ground Chicken Chili with juicy chicken, fire roasted tomatoes and hearty beans is the perfect bowl of comfort. It lasts for days, freezes well and is an easy hands-off dinner.

Ground chicken chili with avocado, cheese, red onion and lime served in a bowl.

Instant Pot Turkey Chili

Made faster and easier in the pressure cooker, Instant Pot Turkey Chili tastes like it has been simmering all day, but it’s ready in 30 minutes! Lean turkey that is flavorful from veggies and spices, is what makes this chilli dinner healthier and a winner. Check out 45 more ground turkey recipes for dinner!

A bowl of chili with lime wedge, cheese and sour cream.

Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili

Flavor loaded Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili is loved by carnivores and non carnivores alike! Filled with hearty vegetables, quinoa and beans, this chili will be a new favorite with it’s smoky full of flavor taste.

Chili with tortilla chips, lime slices, chopped red onion, cilantro and avocado.

White Bean Pumpkin Turkey Chili

White Bean Pumpkin Turkey Chili is packed with vegetables, ground turkey, pumpkin puree, warm spices, and tender white beans! It’s a hearty chili with bold flavors that’s perfect for busy weeknights!

Pumpkin turkey chili with cheddar, sour cream and cilantro garnishes in a bowl.

Crockpot White Chicken Chili

Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili with tender chicken breasts, hearty beans, and pantry staples. It’s healthier comfort food with 10 minutes of prep!

Crockpot white chicken chili served with tortilla chips, sour cream, lime and cilantro in a bowl with a spoon.

Chicken Quinoa Chili

Chicken Quinoa Chili with beans, bell peppers, juicy chicken, savory spices, and an extra boost of protein. Just add your favorite toppings!

Chicken quinoa chili in a pot with spoon.

One Pot Chili Mac Recipe

Saucy, cheesy and ready in 30 minutes! One Pot Chili Mac Recipe is made with hearty ingredients, vegetarian and can even be made vegan. No skimping on flavor with this best chili dinner idea.

Chili mac in large blue serving dish.

What Sides Dishes Go with Chili?

Toppings Ideas

Healthy white chicken chili in bowl with avocado, cilantro and jalapeno.

12 Healthy Chili Recipes: Healthy White Chicken Chili

A crowd favorite when it comes to Healthy Chili Recipes! Make healthy white chicken chili on the stovetop, the Instant Pot, or in a slow cooker. It's flavourful, thick and creamy with tender chicken breasts, white beans, plain yogurt and spices.
3.67 from 3 votes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 345
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Preheat large dutch oven or heavy bottom pot on medium-high heat and swirl oil to coat. Add garlic and onion, sauté for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add cumin, oregano, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  • In a small bowl, add about 1 cup of beans and mash with a fork. It helps to thicken the chili.
  • Add broth, mashed and whole beans, corn, green chiles and chicken breasts. Cover, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low-medium and simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat. Remove chicken and shred with 2 forks or meat claws. Return chicken to the pot along with lime juice, cilantro and yogurt.
  • Stir and serve warm with your favorite toppings like tortilla chips, cheese, more cilantro and lime.

Video

Notes

  • Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze: Fully cook, cool completely and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw on a stovetop covered on low.
  • Diced green chiles substitute: Canned diced green chiles are usually not spicy. You can skip diced green chiles all together and use more cumin and maybe coriander would be nice too. Or add sauteed bell pepper.
  • Rotisserie chicken: Yes, you can use shredded rotisserie chicken. Add it in the beginning just like when you would add raw chicken – more flavor.
  • Cream cheese: Add 2-3 oz with yogurt/or in place of it, if you wish. I do add it to my Instant Pot white chicken chili.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 345kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 664mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 5g
Course: Soup and Stew
Cuisine: Mexican
Author: Olena Osipov
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!

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About Olena

Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 11 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

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Comments

    1. Don’t be shy about leaving a review when you try the others! Agreed on the IP vegetarian chili, so much taste!

3.67 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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