These are the chili recipes I make every fall and winter. These one-pot wonders are brimming with protein and veggies, packed with flavor, and the perfect meal to cozy up with on chilly days.

Best chili recipes.
Photo: Gayle McLeod

When the temps start to drop, you can bet I’m reaching for a big pot of chili! It’s the best kind of comfort food and the perfect combination of hearty, cozy, and healthy. It warms me from the inside out and gives me that “hug in a bowl” feeling I crave during the colder months. But most importantly, it’s a customizable stew I can easily meal prep to enjoy through the entire season. You’ll always find jars of chili stored in my freezer for an easy reheat! Whether it’s a classic chili with ground beef or a lighter white chicken chili, here are all my favorite ways to build the perfect bowl of chili this fall and winter.

A pot of chili.

1

Best Ever Chili Recipe

4.97 from 259 votes
This is the ultimate comfort chili in my book. It’s hearty, rich, and packed with smoky spices—the kind of chili I grew up with and still make on repeat every fall.
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Turkey chili in a pot.

2

Healthy Turkey Chili

4.97 from 52 votes
I love making this turkey chili when I want a lighter, but still satisfying option. It has all the bold chili flavor, just with leaner protein, so I can enjoy a big bowl without feeling weighed down.
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A white bowl of white chicken chili.

3

Best White Chicken Chili

4.99 from 148 votes
This white chicken chili is a lighter change of pace from classic beef chili. It's my favorite combination of tender chicken, white beans, sweet corn, and green chiles. I know you'll love this one!
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A white bowl of vegetarian chili.

4

The Ultimate Vegetarian Chili

4.91 from 54 votes
Even without meat, this vegetarian chili is wonderfully hearty thanks to beans, veggies, and warm spices. It’s the one I turn to when I want something nourishing, plant-based, and still packed with that chili comfort factor.
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If you try any of these chili recipes, let me know how they turn out in the comments below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration and exclusive content, join my free newsletter here.

About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

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