6 Healthy Chili Recipes

This post may contain affiliate links.

Looking for healthy and delicious chili recipes to curl up with this season? My roundup has it all! Vegan, vegetarian, and paleo chili recipes that are nutritious and bursting with flavor!

healthy chili recipes

Sundays, between the months of September and April, are made for big pots of chili bubbling away on the stove.

I love how versatile chili is, you can make it with any kind of meat, or no meat at all, one type of bean or 6, add whatever veggie you like. Kale works, oh yes it does. Whole grains make a great chili too, have you tried a quinoa chili before?

My only request is no corn. I loathe corn in my chili, don’t know why, I just do. Cornbread on the side? Perfectly fine, delicious in fact. My great aunt Mamie always made biscuits when she served chili, that’s nice. I like a biscuit with my chili. My mom always served brown rice with chili, that’s great too. I’ve been known to load my bowl with sauteed kale and top it with chili (#KaleWin) or stuff a sweet potato with chili.

Buffalo Chicken Chili in a brown bowl on a white plate

Jordan and I have a little chili battle going, mine was by far the best for many many years, and then the little stinker started roasting his own chilis and… well…dammit! I’ve got to up my game.

Whichever chili iteration you land upon, remember that chili is a hearty food that has the potential to be wholesome, just leave out the processed chili seasoning pack (seriously chili powder will always do the trick) and opt for higher quality meat or no meat at all. I have a chili topping rule too, make sure there is green (avocado, cilantro, scallion) and choose one diary topping cheese OR sour cream, and just a little spoon or sprinkle will do.

I’m sharing 10 healthy chili recipes, a few from me, the rest developed by other rock star bloggers to set you up for the big game (that would be the Superbowl, which I do believe is this weekend), or for me, the non-sporty-honestly-I-have-no-idea-what-teams-are-even-playing-in-the-Superbowl-girl, I’ve got a big weekend planned of Netflix and Chill(i). See what I did there?

Anyways, let’s get into it!

Buffalo Chicken Chili
This Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili is the ultimate cozy, flavor-packed meal—loaded with tender chicken, a super creamy "sauce", and that signature buffalo kick.
Get The Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Chili
Pumpkin Turkey Chili
This pumpkin turkey chili recipe is sweet and spicy, the perfect combination of pumpkin, ground turkey, warming spices, and lots of black beans. Yum!
Get The Recipe
This pumpkin turkey chili recipe is sweet and spicy, the perfect combination of pumpkin, ground turkey, warming spices, and lots of black beans. Yum!

The perfect combo of sweet and spicy, this one needs to simmer on the stove for a few hours. Trust me it’s worth it.

Chorizo Poblano Chili
This chorizo poblano chili is packed with spicy-smoky-flavor, poblano chilies, smoky chorizo, ground beef, beans, and plenty of spices. Move over bland chili there is a new kid in town!
Get The Recipe
large white pot filled with chorizo poblano chili on white background
Butternut Squash and Quinoa Chili
Insanely delicious 1-pot chili with quinoa, butternut squash, and beans. Perfect comfort food for busy cooks, excellent for meal prep!
Get The Recipe
Quinoa Butternut Squash Chili in terracotta bowl on pink plate

Creamy sweet butternut squash and hearty protein-rich quinoa.  This chili is a family favorite!

Healthy Grass Fed Beef and Kale Chili
30 minute quick and healthy kale and grass-fed beef chili, loaded with good for you veggies and the perfect amount of spices. Perfect for a healthy quick weeknight meal or a long lazy Sunday afternoon. Chili, but healthier. 
Get The Recipe
30 minute quick and healthy kale and grass-fed beef chili, loaded with good for you veggies and the perfect amount of spices. Perfect for a healthy quick weeknight meal or a long lazy Sunday afternoon. Chili, but healthier. 

This is my go-to 30 minute as easy as it is delicious chili recipe. Yes, I added kale. Yes, you should try it!

Chocolate Stout Vegetarian Chili
A tasty and nutritious vegetarian chili with an alcoholic "chocolate-y" twist. A guaranteed hit.
Get The Recipe

And last but not least my very favorite chili. I’ve been making this bad boy for about 15 years, it’s a winner. A major winner.

Thanks for reading Abra’s Kitchen! To see what goodness I’m whipping up be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

If you make any of these recipes tag #abraskitchen on Instagram so I can see your creation 🙂 

Abra's Kitchen Healthy Food Blog

Abra is a licensed nutritionist, seasoned home cook, and forever flavor-chaser. She’s spent more than two decades exploring the connection between food and health—and just as long obsessing over what makes something truly delicious. Abra’s Kitchen is where those two loves meet, with recipes that celebrate vegetables, follow the seasons, and make you excited to cook.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

4 Comments

  1. These healthy recipes i will definitely add to my cookbook. First of all i’ll cook pumpkin turkey chili. Thanks a lot for sharing, Abra!

    1. Thanks for reading Jill! The pumpkin turkey is my favorite, but I’m biased 😉

More You'll Love