Chili season is here — think Sunday football, Halloween night and chilly weeknights. These 9 healthy chili recipes are hearty, high in protein and fiber, and perfect for batch cooking. Every recipe makes about 6 servings, works on the stovetop, and most can go in a crockpot or Instant Pot. Freeze the leftovers and you have easy lunches for the week.
Quick list: 9 healthy chili recipes
| Chili | Main protein | Protein (approx./serving) | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Classic turkey & bean chili | Ground turkey, beans | 32 g | Stovetop or crockpot |
| 2. White chicken chili | Chicken breast, white beans | 35 g | Stovetop or crockpot |
| 3. Veggie-loaded crockpot chili | Ground turkey, beans | 28 g | Crockpot |
| 4. Sweet potato black bean chili | Black beans (vegetarian) | 15 g | Stovetop |
| 5. Lean beef & lentil chili | 93% lean beef, lentils | 34 g | Stovetop |
| 6. Buffalo chicken chili | Chicken, white beans | 33 g | Crockpot |
| 7. Pumpkin turkey chili | Ground turkey | 29 g | Stovetop |
| 8. Instant Pot chicken taco chili | Chicken breast, beans | 34 g | Instant Pot |
| 9. Three-bean vegetarian chili | Three beans + Greek yogurt topping | 18 g | Stovetop or crockpot |
Protein amounts are estimates per serving (6 servings per pot) and depend on the brands and toppings you use.
1. Classic turkey & bean chili
About 32 g protein · 40 minutes
Brown 2 lb lean ground turkey with 1 diced onion, 1 diced bell pepper and 3 minced garlic cloves. Stir in 3 tablespoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, 1 can each kidney and pinto beans (rinsed) and 1 cup low-sodium broth. Simmer 25 minutes. Crockpot: brown the turkey, then cook everything on LOW 6–8 hours.
2. White chicken chili
About 35 g protein · 35 minutes
Sauté 1 onion and 2 garlic cloves in olive oil. Add 2 lb boneless chicken breasts, 2 cans cannellini beans (rinsed), 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles, 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 2 teaspoons cumin and 1 teaspoon oregano. Simmer 20 minutes, shred the chicken, then stir in ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt off the heat for a creamy finish without heavy cream.
3. Veggie-loaded crockpot chili
About 28 g protein · 15 minutes prep
Add 1½ lb browned lean ground turkey, 1 diced zucchini, 2 diced carrots, 1 diced bell pepper, 1 onion, 2 cups chopped mushrooms, 1 can each black and kidney beans, 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, 3 tablespoons chili powder and 2 teaspoons cumin to a slow cooker. Cook on LOW 7–8 hours. The veggies melt into the sauce — picky eaters rarely notice.
4. Sweet potato black bean chili
About 15 g protein · 40 minutes · vegetarian
Sauté 1 onion and 1 bell pepper, add 2 diced sweet potatoes, 2 cans black beans (rinsed), 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, 2 cups vegetable broth, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Simmer 25–30 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Top with Greek yogurt and pepitas for extra protein.
5. Lean beef & lentil chili
About 34 g protein · 45 minutes
Brown 1½ lb 93% lean ground beef with onion and garlic. Add 1 cup dry brown or green lentils (rinsed), 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, 3 cups low-sodium beef broth, 3 tablespoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons cumin and 1 teaspoon oregano. Simmer 30–35 minutes until the lentils are soft. Lentils stretch the beef and add fiber.
6. Buffalo chicken chili
About 33 g protein · 15 minutes prep
Add 2 lb chicken breasts, 2 cans white beans, 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, 2 diced celery stalks, 2 diced carrots, 1 onion, 3 cups chicken broth, ⅓ cup buffalo hot sauce and 1 teaspoon garlic powder to a slow cooker. Cook on LOW 6 hours, shred the chicken, and top with Greek yogurt “ranch” (yogurt + dill + garlic) and green onions. A game-day favorite.
7. Pumpkin turkey chili
About 29 g protein · 40 minutes
Brown 1½ lb lean ground turkey with onion and garlic. Stir in 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin purée, 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, 1 can black beans, 2 cups broth, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin and ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Simmer 25 minutes. Thick, slightly sweet and very fall.
8. Instant Pot chicken taco chili
About 34 g protein · 30 minutes total
Add 2 lb chicken breasts, 1 can each black and pinto beans, 1 can (15 oz) corn, 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles, 1 cup salsa, 1 cup chicken broth and 2 tablespoons taco seasoning to the Instant Pot. Pressure cook on HIGH 12 minutes, natural release 10 minutes, then shred. Serve with avocado and lime.
9. Three-bean vegetarian chili
About 18 g protein with toppings · 35 minutes
Sauté onion, bell pepper and garlic, then add 1 can each kidney, black and pinto beans, 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, 1 cup frozen corn, 2 cups vegetable broth, 3 tablespoons chili powder and 1 teaspoon cumin. Simmer 20 minutes. Top each bowl with ¼ cup Greek yogurt and shredded cheese to boost the protein.
Healthy chili toppings bar
- Swap sour cream for plain Greek yogurt — same tang, more protein.
- Fresh crunch: diced onion, radishes, green onions, cilantro.
- Healthy fats: sliced avocado or a few pepitas.
- Cheese: a small sprinkle of sharp cheddar goes a long way.
- Serve with: a baked sweet potato, brown rice or a small piece of cornbread instead of a big pile of chips.
Batch cooking & freezing tips
- Cool chili quickly (spread it in shallow containers) and refrigerate within 2 hours.
- It keeps 3–4 days in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer.
- Freeze in single-serving containers or flat zip-top bags for grab-and-go lunches.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat until steaming hot (165°F).
Recipes are general healthy-eating inspiration. If you follow a low-sodium or other special diet, choose no-salt-added canned goods and check with your doctor or dietitian.
Healthy chili FAQ
Is chili healthy?
It can be very healthy: chili made with lean protein, beans and plenty of vegetables is high in protein and fiber. Keep it lighter by using lean meat, low-sodium broth and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
What is the highest-protein chili?
White chicken chili, Instant Pot chicken taco chili and lean beef & lentil chili are the highest on this list, at roughly 34–35 grams per serving.
Can I make chili in a crockpot without browning the meat?
You can, but browning first adds flavor and lets you drain extra fat. If you skip it, break the meat up well and cook on LOW for at least 7 hours.
Want more cozy, high-protein comfort food?
Get our free guide: 7 Cozy High-Protein Soup Recipes plus one combined shopping list — the perfect partner to your chili rotation.
