There’s something truly cozy about a bowl of chili simmered low and slow, and this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Chili Recipe brings that comfort with a smoky, tangy twist you just can’t resist. It’s easy to make, perfect for busy days, and packed with flavors that warm you right up.

The image shows a white bowl filled with a brownish-red soup that has visible pieces of shredded chicken and kidney beans in it. On top, there are bright yellow shredded cheese and crushed tortilla chips, fresh green chopped scallions, and a sliced round green jalapeño pepper. The soup looks thick and hearty with shiny, moist textures. A vintage silver spoon with a detailed handle rests inside the bowl. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with some scattered tortilla chips pieces around. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Chili Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Chili Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Chili Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I made this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Chili Recipe—it was effortless and came out bursting with smoky, slightly sweet flavors that reminded me of backyard cookouts. It’s one of those dishes that feels fancy but is actually super approachable.

Effortless Cooking: Pop everything into the slow cooker and let it work its magic while you relax or tackle your day.
Balanced Smoky-Sweet Flavor: The liquid smoke and BBQ flavors combine with the natural richness of chicken for a truly unique chili experience.
Bean Medley: Three kinds of beans add texture and heartiness without overwhelming the chicken.
Customizable Garnishes: From cheese to bacon, you can dress it up to suit your mood or occasion.

A close-up of a metal ladle holding a thick, chunky soup with several layers: shredded light brown chicken strips in the top layer, mixed with kidney beans in dark red, pinto beans in light brown, and white beans all surrounded by a rich, reddish-brown broth with visible bits of diced onions. The ladle is raised above a black slow cooker filled with the same soup, the background showing the smooth, glossy liquid surface with some floating ingredients. The overall scene is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredient list for this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Chili Recipe is a smart blend of pantry staples and simple seasonings that build layers of flavor. Each element plays its part, creating that perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and savory you’ll want to keep making.

Flat lay of fresh raw chicken breasts, a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, four peeled garlic cloves, a small diced white onion, a small white bowl filled with bright red ketchup, a small white bowl of rich brown sugar, a small white bowl containing amber apple cider vinegar, a small white bowl with deep brown Worcestershire sauce, a small white bowl of vibrant yellow mustard, three small white bowls each holding plump cannellini beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans in their cooking liquid, a small white bowl filled with mild diced green chilies, a small white bowl of dark mesquite liquid smoke, small white bowls arranged with reddish chili powder, pale ground cumin, smoky paprika, fine salt, and ground black pepper, a small white bowl with light golden chicken broth mixed with white cornstarch -- all ingredients arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: The star protein that gets tender and shreds beautifully after slow cooking.
Olive oil: Helps to lightly coat the chicken, preventing sticking and adding subtle richness.
Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic adds that unmistakable savory aroma and depth.
Onion: Adds sweetness and texture that mellows perfectly during the long cook.
Ketchup: Brings a tomato base with a hint of tang and sweetness—key for that BBQ flavor.
Brown sugar: Balances smoky and tangy notes with subtle sweetness.
Apple cider vinegar: Provides a little bite and brightness that lifts the flavors.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds umami depth to enrich the chili without overpowering.
Yellow mustard: A touch of tang and spice that complements BBQ flavors.
Cannellini, kidney, and pinto beans: A trio of beans adding creamy, earthy heartiness.
Diced green chilies: Mild heat and a fresh kick that brightens each bite.
Mesquite liquid smoke: The secret to that authentic smoky BBQ flavor without needing a grill.
Chili powder: Essential for that warming chili backbone.
Ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper: These spices round out the flavor perfectly with warmth and smokiness.
Chicken broth & cornstarch mixture: Gives the chili a nice body and thickness without being gluey.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Chili Recipe depending on what we have on hand or the season. Honestly, it’s so forgiving that a little swap here and there never disappoints — and that’s part of the fun of making it your own.

Variation: Some days, I stir in a little chipotle in adobo for a smoky heat kick. It’s a personal favorite that adds a spicy complexity without overwhelming the dish.
Dietary tweak: You can swap chicken breasts for thighs for a juicier version or make it vegetarian by replacing the chicken with extra beans and veggies.
Seasonal twist: Adding fresh corn off the cob during summer gives a nice sweetness and texture contrast.
Spice level: Feel free to adjust chili powder and green chilies for your perfect heat level — I like to keep it mild but flavorful for family dinners.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Chili Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Layer Your Ingredients

First, I lightly grease my slow cooker with a little cooking spray—this just helps everything glide right off when it’s done. Then, I rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and lay them down as the base. Toss in the minced garlic, diced onion, all the beans, ketchup, brown sugar, and every flavorful ingredient on top, stirring just enough to combine without breaking up the chicken.

Step 2: Set It and Forget It

Pop that slow cooker cover on and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. I always check a little early if the chicken breasts are thin because they can cook faster — you want them tender enough to shred easily but not dry.

Step 3: Shred and Finish Cooking

Once the chicken’s tender, I take it out onto a cutting board and shred with two forks (pro tip: don’t skip this step; shredded chicken soaks up the flavors better!). Then, back into the slow cooker it goes for another 20 minutes on low to let those flavors marry beautifully. If the chili feels too thick, adding a splash of water or extra chicken broth thins it to your preferred consistency.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Chili Recipe countless times, and a few tweaks always bring it to the next level. Here are some of the game-changing tips I swear by:

Don’t skip shredding: Shredding the chicken lets the BBQ sauce and seasonings fully permeate, making every bite flavorful.
Liquid smoke is your friend: Just a couple of teaspoons add that authentic smoky BBQ note without hassle or a grill.
Cook low and slow: It’s tempting to rush, but the slow cooking time makes the chicken melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Adjust liquids last: Add broth or water after shredding if you want a thinner chili; it’s easier than trying to thicken it later.

How to Serve Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Chili Recipe

slow cooker BBQ chicken chili - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for a chili loaded with toppings—you’ll find sour cream smoothing out the spicy notes, melted cheese adding gooey richness, crisp green onions for bite, and crunchy tortilla chips or Fritos for that perfect salty crunch. And when I’m in the mood, smoky bacon bits sprinkled on top take it straight to comfort food heaven.

Side Dishes

This chili shines on its own but pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad or cornbread on the side. I especially love warm, buttery cornbread that can help scoop up any lingering sauce — a pretty satisfying combo!

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun gathering, I’ve served this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Chili Recipe in mini bread bowls—everyone loved tearing into their little edible bowls and piling on garnishes. It’s perfect for holiday parties or game day and adds a little wow factor without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always make extra because this chili tastes even better the next day once all those smoky, sweet flavors have settled in. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge — it keeps well for up to 5 days, making it a win for easy lunches or dinners later in the week.

Freezing

Freezing works beautifully too. I divide portions into freezer-safe bags or containers and label them—perfect for a quick thaw-and-heat meal when you don’t have time to cook. It freezes well for up to 3 months without losing the luscious BBQ flavor.

Reheating

When reheating, I like to warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat to keep the chicken tender and prevent the chili from drying out. Adding a splash of water or broth while reheating helps maintain that perfect consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great substitute and tend to stay moister and more flavorful during slow cooking. Just follow the same cooking time, but keep an eye to avoid overcooking.

What if I don’t have liquid smoke on hand?

No worries! You can omit the liquid smoke, but the chili will be less smoky. To compensate, try adding a bit more smoked paprika or a dash of chipotle powder to give it some smoky depth.

Can I make this chili on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker?

Definitely! I sometimes sear the chicken in a Dutch oven, add the rest of the ingredients, and simmer gently on the stovetop for 15-30 minutes until chicken is tender. Then shred the chicken and simmer another 20 minutes. It’s faster but just as tasty!

How spicy is this chili and can I adjust the heat level?

It’s quite mild by default, perfect for family meals, but you can easily adjust it by adding more chili powder, diced green chilies, or a dash of hot sauce to suit your heat preferences.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Chili Recipe holds a special place in my dinner rotation because it’s reliably tasty, forgiving to make, and filled with comforting flavors that feel like a warm hug on a cold day. I hope you’ll try it out, tweak it to your liking, and find it as satisfying and easy as I do—perfect for busy weeks or weekend gatherings with friends and family.