Creamy Taco Chili {VIDEO}

CREAMY TACO CHILI has all of the flavors of your favorite Mexican dish in a hearty bowl of chili. Perfect for game day or a busy weeknight!

If you love great chili recipes that are perfect for family dinner, potlucks or game days, you’ll want to check out my recipes for White Bean Chicken Chili,  Buffalo Chicken White Chili, Buffalo Chicken Chili, and Pumpkin Chili.

Time For Taco Chili

Is it chili season or is it CHILI season?!!

It’s late October….. which is practically synonymous with a bowl full of good-times-for-your-soul in the form of chili. A chili that hits your taste buds RIGHT in the head with southwest goodness.  Can’t you just feel the warmth WAY deep down in your belly as you feed your family this creamy taco chili tonight?!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of BUSH’S Beans. The opinions and text and love of beans are all mine.

This time of year, nothing beats a big bowl of comfort food, like chili.  Packed with plenty of beans, chicken, and other taco-inspired ingredients. This creamy taco chili is full of protein and filling fiber, making it perfect for tailgating, a game day party at home, or a busy weeknight meal to warm up on a chilly day!

It’s Easy To Make Creamy Taco Chili

As always, I used BUSH’S Beans.  BUSH’S chili beans are slow-simmered in a sauce with a special blend of chilies, spices, garlic, and onions. They are excellent used in chili, but also delicious in dips, like White Bean Queso Dip. For this recipe, I always use BUSH’S Chili Beans Kidney Beans in Spicy Chili Sauce.  They are plump and tender, with just enough spice….perfect for a taco-inspired chili.

To make this easy chili, simply brown your chicken with taco seasoning and then dump in all your other chili ingredients (beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, corn, chicken broth, and cream) and simmer away for at least 30 minutes, then stir in cream cheese until it melts and serve it up – that’s it!

Can I Make This Taco Chili In a Crockpot?

If you’re wanting to make this taco chili in the slow cooker you will still need to saute the chicken and seasoning for about 7-10 minutes on the stove, until the chicken is cooked through. Or I like to use rotisserie chicken – it’s already been cooked. Then, place the cooked chicken in the crockpot. Add all of the other ingredients. Stir it all together and cover. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.

You can eat your chili straight out of the pot as is, or you can proceed with one extra step of pouring your chili into a bowl and smothering with your favorite taco toppings.

Creamy Taco Chili Variations

• Meat: Use ground beef or ground turkey instead of chicken
• Beans: Instead of just kidney beans and black beans, try adding pinto beans, navy beans, or even refried beans.
• Add-ins:  Try switching to hominy corn, and/or adding chopped bell pepper, jalapeño peppers, and fire-roasted tomatoes. Add even more kick with just a pinch of red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or a little paprika.
• Toppings: Just like tacos, this chili is even better with toppings! Top individual bowls of taco chili with a handful of shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, fresh lime, fresh cilantro, green onions, avocado slices, and tortilla strips, Fritos or whatever your heart desires and dig in!

This Taco Chili makes a great meal to serve at a potluck. Make a double batch and have bowls with all the toppings alongside!

How To Store Creamy Taco Chili

If you are serving this Taco Chili for a crowd, be sure to keep it warm on low heat if you plan to have it out longer than 2 hours.

• Store Leftover Chili: Allow the chili to cool before storing it in the refrigerator. It will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days in an air-tight container.
• Freeze Chili: You can store your Creamy Taco Chili in the freezer for up to 3 months in a freezer container or freezer bag. If using freezer bags; fill the bag with chili, remove excess air, and lay flat on a freezer shelf or on a baking sheet. Freeze the bag of chili so it freezes a flat, saving room in your freezer. Defrost it in the refrigerator (I usually pull it out of the freezer the day before I want to serve it), then reheat it on the stovetop or microwave.

What to Serve with Chili

Most people enjoy chili with cornbread! Easy moist cornbread would pair perfectly with Taco Chili! But if you’re not a fan of cornbread, go with some no-knead dutch oven bread or our favorite Hard Apple Cider Bread with a buttery top crust that is thick and crunchy.

This creamy taco chili is easy to make ahead for company!

As a family-owned and operated company, BUSH’S has been a part of the dinner table for more than 100 years.