Easy & Hearty Crock Pot Chicken Chili Stew with Pinto Beans, Potatoes, and Feta
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly flavorful crock pot chicken chili stew! Packed with tender chicken, hearty pinto beans, diced potatoes, sweet corn, and a blend of aromatic spices, then finished with a sprinkle of salty feta cheese, this recipe is a true slow-cooker sensation. Prepare it in minutes and let your crock pot do all the work for a delicious, warming meal that’s perfect for chilly evenings or busy weeknights.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Stew
There’s nothing quite like coming home to the comforting aroma of a homemade meal simmering gently in your slow cooker. Today is an extra special day—my sister’s birthday and “Mystery Dish” day—which makes it the perfect occasion to share this exceptionally satisfying and wonderfully warm chicken chili stew. This recipe epitomizes ease and deliciousness, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, deeply flavored stew with minimal effort. It’s ideal for busy families, meal prep, or anyone who loves a hearty, wholesome dish without the fuss.
I am a true devotee of the crock pot, so much so that I currently own two! You really can never have too many slow cookers when they make life this easy, right? When I first saw Zainab from Blahnik Baker‘s list of ingredients for this month’s Mystery Dish challenge, I immediately knew a comforting stew was in my future. Her intriguing list included:
- Sesame seeds
- Green chiles
- Green tea or matcha powder
- Cardamom
- Ginger
- Feta cheese
- Lamb
- Pinto beans
- White wine
- Prickly pear cactus
- Apples
Navigating the Mystery Dish Challenge
To be completely honest, some of those Mystery Dish ingredients definitely threw me for a loop. Matcha powder? Cardamom? Prickly pear cactus? These aren’t typically found in my everyday cooking repertoire, especially when thinking about a savory stew! I genuinely *really* wanted to get super creative and whip up some awesome prickly pear concoction, perhaps a unique dessert or a tangy glaze. But when it came down to it, the thought of incorporating such exotic flavors into a family-friendly meal for “Mystery Dish” day made me totally chicken out! Sometimes, the best approach is to stick with what you know and love, while still embracing a few unexpected elements.
And you know what? That’s perfectly okay because this crock pot chicken chili stew turned out absolutely fantastic. I’m pretty sure my family appreciated this warm, hearty stew much more than any experimental prickly pear creation anyway! The combination of tender, succulent chicken, robust pinto beans, soft, comforting potatoes, and sweet corn creates a truly satisfying and balanced meal. It’s especially delightful as the weather begins to cool down, offering that much-needed warmth and nourishment. There’s truly nothing better than walking through the door to the inviting aroma and easy comfort of a crock pot full of this incredible chicken chili stew.
The Power of the Slow Cooker: Effortless Cooking
The beauty of a slow cooker lies in its simplicity and ability to develop deep flavors over time. This chicken chili stew recipe is a prime example. With just a few minutes of prep in the morning, you can set it and forget it, allowing the ingredients to meld and tenderize throughout the day. By dinnertime, you’ll have a wholesome, delicious meal ready to serve with almost no active cooking time. This makes it an invaluable tool for busy individuals and families who crave home-cooked goodness without the time commitment.
Using a slow cooker also means your chicken will be incredibly tender, practically falling apart with a fork. The vegetables, like the potatoes, absorb all the savory liquid and spices, becoming soft and creamy. The pinto beans add a wonderful earthy texture and a boost of fiber and protein, making this a truly well-rounded dish. And the finishing touch of crumbled feta cheese provides a delightful salty tang that brightens the entire stew, elevating it from a simple meal to something truly special.
Ingredient Spotlight: What Makes This Stew So Good?
This Crock Pot Chicken Chili Stew is built on a foundation of simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create a complex and satisfying flavor profile. Let’s dive into some of the key components:
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a lean protein source that become incredibly tender when slow-cooked. They readily absorb the flavors of the spices and vegetables, ensuring every bite is delicious. For an even richer flavor, you could also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Pinto Beans: These hearty beans are a staple in chili for good reason. They add a creamy texture, significant fiber, and plant-based protein, making the stew filling and nutritious. Rinsing canned beans before adding them helps reduce excess sodium.
- Potatoes: White potatoes, diced into bite-sized pieces, provide a comforting starchiness that thickens the stew slightly and makes it wonderfully satisfying. They soften beautifully in the slow cooker, soaking up all the chili flavors.
- Corn: A touch of sweetness and a pop of color come from the canned corn. It balances the savory and spicy notes of the chili powder and green chiles.
- Crushed Tomatoes & Green Chiles: These form the flavorful liquid base of the stew. Crushed tomatoes add richness and acidity, while chopped green chiles introduce a mild, earthy heat that is quintessential to chili.
- Onion, Bell Pepper, Garlic: Sautéing these aromatics briefly before adding them to the slow cooker caramelizes their natural sugars and intensifies their flavor, providing a crucial depth to the stew. Don’t skip this step for the best results!
- Chili Powder & Cumin: These two spices are the heart of our chili flavor. Chili powder provides a warm, robust base, and cumin adds an earthy, smoky depth. Adjust amounts to your preference for spice level.
- Feta Cheese: The unexpected star! While not traditional in all chili recipes, a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese on top adds a salty, tangy counterpoint that cuts through the richness of the stew and adds a gourmet touch.
Crock Pot Pinto Bean Chicken Chili Stew
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Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 orange bell pepper chopped (or your favorite color pepper)
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 Tbsp. chili poweder
- 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 pounds white potatoes diced
- 2 14-oz cans rinsed and drained pinto beans
- 1 14-oz can corn, drained
- 1 14.5-oz can crushed tomatoes, undrained
- 1 4.5-oz chopped green chilies
- 1 tsp. salt or more, if needed
- 1 1/2 cups water
- feta cheese crumbled
Instructions
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In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add in chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Then, stir in the chili powder and ground cumin, cooking for another minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside. This crucial step deepens the flavors of your aromatics and spices.
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Prepare your slow cooker by placing the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom. Evenly layer the diced white potatoes on top of the chicken. Next, add the rinsed and drained pinto beans, drained corn, crushed tomatoes (undrained for their liquid), and chopped green chilies. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt (or more, to taste).
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Now, carefully spread the cooked onion/pepper mixture from the skillet over the ingredients in the slow cooker. Pour 1 1/2 cups of water over everything. Cover your slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 8 hours. This long, slow cooking process ensures the chicken becomes incredibly tender and all the flavors meld beautifully.
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Once cooked, the chicken should be easy to shred with two forks directly in the pot. Ladle the hot and hearty chicken chili stew into individual bowls. Finish each serving with a generous sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese for a delightful tangy and salty burst. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Crock Pot Chicken Chili Stew
- Don’t Skip the Sauté: Browning the onions, bell pepper, and garlic with the spices before adding them to the slow cooker truly makes a difference. It deepens their flavor and helps develop a more complex stew base.
- Layering Matters: Placing the chicken at the bottom ensures it’s submerged in liquid and cooks evenly, becoming incredibly tender. Layering other ingredients allows their flavors to infuse throughout the stew.
- Taste and Adjust: Once the stew is cooked, always taste it before serving. You might want to add a little more salt, a pinch of black pepper, or even a dash of hot sauce if you prefer more heat.
- Shredding Chicken: After 8 hours on low, your chicken breasts should be tender enough to shred directly in the crock pot using two forks. This makes serving even easier!
- Storage and Reheating: This chicken chili stew makes fantastic leftovers. Store cooled stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It also freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Serving Suggestions
This versatile Crock Pot Chicken Chili Stew is a meal in itself, but it can be enhanced with a few simple additions:
- Crusty Bread or Cornbread: Perfect for soaking up every last drop of the savory broth.
- Additional Toppings: Beyond feta cheese, consider sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, sliced green onions, fresh cilantro, or even a squeeze of lime juice for brightness.
- Side Salad: A light, crisp green salad can offer a refreshing contrast to the hearty stew.
- Rice or Quinoa: For an even more substantial meal, serve the stew over a bed of fluffy rice or nutrient-rich quinoa.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a comforting, easy-to-make meal, this Crock Pot Pinto Bean Chicken Chili Stew is guaranteed to become a family favorite. Its rich flavors, tender chicken, and hearty vegetables make it the perfect antidote to a busy day, proving that delicious home cooking doesn’t have to be complicated. Give it a try, and let your slow cooker work its magic!
Check out what my other Mystery Dish peeps made this month:
- Green Chile Chicken Soup – Chez CateyLou
- Crockpot Chicken Chilli Stew – Yummy Healthy Easy
- Spiced Apple Crisp – I Want Crazy
- Kale Salad with Sesame-Lime Dressing – The Pajama Chef
- Spiced Mini Skillet Apple Crisp – Culinary Couture
- Pan Seared Pork Chops with Spicy Apple Chutney – Flavor the Moments
- Matcha Swirl Cheesecake – Baking a Moment
- Green Chile Cheese Pinwheels – I Dig Pinterest.
- Baked Apple Donuts with Cardamom Cream Cheese Glaze – Joyful Healthy Easy
- Vegan Gluten-Free Ginger Walnut Apple Pie Bars – The Sweet-Tooth Life
- Apple Feta Salad with Toasted Sesame Seeds – The Well Floured Kitchen
- Apple Cardamon Crisp – Blahnik Baker
If you liked this recipe, you’ll love these ones too:
Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken
Baked Chicken Strips with Creamy Parmesan Dip
Easy Baked Italian Chicken, Potatoes & Green Beans