This Instant Pot chicken chili is one of the easiest meals to make and is the perfect warming meal for a cold night. You can also make it in the slow cooker!
I have made this Instant Pot chicken chili so many times over the last 3 or 4 months. So many times. It’s so tasty. And so easy.
And it freezes well if you need a meal to bring to someone. Or if you just like having meals in the freezer for later.
Or if the enormous batch that easily feeds six people is too large for your family and you want to freeze half.
My family eats a lot, so the leftovers really aren’t ridiculous around here when I make this Instant Pot chicken chili.
Although that does seem to depend on the day. I’ve made this recipe and it will be almost all gone. And I’ve made it and had half the chili left over.
My kids will sometimes eat as if they’ve never seen food before. And other days hardly touch it.Must be something to do with how they’re growing that week I guess.
At any rate, this Instant Pot chicken chili makes enough for my family, even on the “everyone is starving” kind of days.
Which means it’s a winner in my books.
It also tastes amazing and is so incredibly easy to make. There’s a reason I’ve been making it incessantly!
How do you make chicken chili in the Instant Pot?
Chicken chili is super easy to make in the Instant Pot.
You literally toss all the ingredients in, give it a quick stir, and push the chili button. Or manually set the pressure to high pressure for 18 minutes. That’s basically it.
All you have to do once the cook cycle is complete is shred the chicken and stir in some cream cheese and milk.
Dinner really doesn’t get much easier than that.
Here are some great sides to serve with chicken chili:
Can you cook frozen meat in an Instant Pot?
I cook frozen meat in my Instant Pot all the time. It’s one of my favourite things about the Instant Pot.
Instant Pot shredded chicken takes 8 minutes to cook when it’s fresh, and 12 minutes when it’s frozen.
Since the chili takes 18 minutes, your chicken will be done at the end of the cook time, even if you put it in frozen.
I’ve made this chili both ways, with 18 minutes cook time, whether my chicken is fresh or frozen.
How to make Instant Pot Chicken Chili:
- This Instant Pot chicken chili isn’t spicy. It’s full of flavour, but doesn’t have a lot of heat. The green chilis give it a tiny bit, but not much at all. If you like your chili spicy, you might want to add some cayenne pepper to spice it up a bit.
- This chicken chili freezes very well if you want to make a double batch and freeze half for later. Or if you are only cooking for 2-3 people and don’t need the whole batch for one meal. Let it cool completely and then freeze it flat in a large ziplock freezer bag. Defrost it overnight in the fridge and reheat for a couple of hours on low in the slow cooker, or on low heat on the stove.
- I have an 8 quart Duo Instant Pot, so I can just fit a double batch of this chicken chili in it. If your Instant Pot is smaller you likely can only make a single batch, so keep that in mind if you’re considering making more to freeze. Make sure to only fill the pot to 2/3 full for pressure cooking.
- I’ve had a few questions about the “brown beans in tomato sauce” and what that is. In Canada that’s what the can says, but apparently in the States it’s just “baked beans“. It’s the same thing!
Here are some more easy meals for you:
- Instant Pot Turkey Chili
- Chicken Pot Pie Soup
- Instant Pot Chicken Stew
- Instant Pot Beef Stew
- Slow Cooker Chili
Instant Pot Chicken Chili
This Instant Pot chicken chili is one of the easiest meals to make and is the perfect warming meal for a cold night.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast (3-4)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 14 ounce (398mL) can brown beans in tomato sauce (also called baked beans)
- 14 ounce (398mL) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 14 ounce (398mL) can diced tomatoes (with liquid)
- 4 ounce (127mL) can chopped green chilis
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup milk
For serving:
- cilantro, sour cream, avocado, tortilla chips, cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Place the chicken, chicken broth, brown beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, green chilis, corn, salt, pepper, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and oregano in the pot of the Instant Pot and stir to combine.
- Put the lid on the Instant Pot and lock it into position. Make sure the vent is in the sealing position.
- Set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 18 minutes (or the chili setting which will automatically be 18 minutes at high pressure).
- When the cook time is finished, let it naturally release for 10 minutes and then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Shred the chicken with two forks - either in the Instant Pot, or remove it to a cutting board to shred and then return it to the pot.
- Combine the cream cheese and the milk in a small bowl, whisking until smooth. This is easier if you warm up the milk and the cream cheese in the microwave a bit first.
- Stir this mixture into the Instant Pot and press the saute button, adjusting it to low.
- Cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes, or until the chili thickens a bit.
- Serve with any toppings you like.
- Leftover chili keeps in the fridge for 3-5 days, or freeze it for up to 6 months.
Notes
You can use fresh or frozen chicken breasts for this recipe. The cook time will stay the same regardless. If you prefer to make this in the slow cooker, you can find that recipe here: Slow Cooker Chicken Chili.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1 1/2 cupsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 389Total Fat: 11.4gSaturated Fat: 4.7gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 1424mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 8.6gSugar: 8.7gProtein: 36g
Margaret
Sunday 30th of July 2023
Great recipe very flavourful but not hot,I made changes,used thighs instead of breast and drained a can of diced tomatoes and roasted in the air fryer,also added bacon bits but didnt really need the bacon.l am going to make a double batch and freeze for an upcoming family get together my question is should I freeze it without the sour cream and milk mixture and then add it in when I reheat it on the day. I was thinking it might curdle or separate,would appreciate your thoughts. It is the best chilli I have made so far and so easy...love it thankyou
Stacey
Sunday 30th of July 2023
I've frozen it successfully with the milk/cream cheese already in it. But I'm sure you could add it when you reheat it if you prefer. Glad you like it!
Katrina
Tuesday 31st of January 2023
This sounds so yummy, I think I will make it for lunch prep next week! Although, I think "chili beans" in the states would be a better alternative than baked beans, which are often sweet.
David
Sunday 5th of November 2023
@Katrina, I made this for my family last week and used Bush's Organic Baked Beans which says "Brown Sugar & Spices" and it came out great.
Stacey
Tuesday 31st of January 2023
Actually brown beans in tomato sauce in Canada are fairly sweet too. It doesn't make the chili sweet. I think the Heinz baked beans in the states are the same as the Heinz brown beans here. But I'm sure chili beans would be good too it you prefer to make the switch! It's a pretty adaptable recipe. I haven't been able to find canned green chilis here for a while and have been adding 1/2 cup of salsa instead and it works great too.
Judy
Monday 2nd of January 2023
My chili setting is 30 minutes! Should I stop it at 18? I received my instant pot for Christmas 2020. Is yours older?
Stacey
Wednesday 4th of January 2023
Yes mine is older than that. It should be 18 minutes at high pressure for this recipe. Maybe your chili setting is on low pressure instead of high? I’m guessing it would still be fine, but you can always do manual high pressure for 18 minutes! Hope you like it!
Adrienne
Sunday 9th of October 2022
This recipe is easy flavorful, and satisfying! Thank you! I used hatch green chilis and southwest style canned tomatoes and it gave it a nice flavor.
Maureen
Friday 4th of February 2022
If you double the recipe do you need to make any changes to the cooking time? Thank you.
Stacey
Friday 4th of February 2022
No the cook time will stay the same. Just make sure you’re not filling the instant pot past the 2/3 full line.