This hearty Queso Chicken Chili is a flavor-packed, creamy, and satisfying dish that will leave everyone at the table asking for seconds. With a rich blend of spices, tender chicken, and a delicious kick from chipotle chili powder and smoked paprika, it’s the perfect balance of heat and comfort. The addition of pumpkin beer and cream cheese creates a creamy base that complements the richness of the chicken and andouille sausage (if you’re using it). Topped with shredded cheddar, fresh cilantro, and green onions, this chili is a winning recipe for any chilly evening or when you’re craving something extra comforting.

Whether you’re preparing for a weeknight dinner or a weekend get-together, Queso Chicken Chili is a great choice for feeding a crowd. It’s packed with flavor, yet easy enough to make in one pot, and it’s customizable with your favorite toppings. Ready to dive into the recipe? Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Creamy and Flavorful

This chili features a rich, creamy texture thanks to the cream cheese and pumpkin beer, making it a comforting dish that everyone will love.

2. Packed with Flavor

With ingredients like smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, and cumin, the chili is loaded with depth of flavor and just the right amount of heat.

3. Versatile

This recipe can easily be adjusted to suit your tastes—add more jalapeños for heat, or leave out the sausage if you prefer a lighter version.

4. One-Pot Meal

Everything cooks in one pot, making cleanup a breeze. This is perfect for busy nights or meal prep!

5. Perfect for a Crowd

It’s a great recipe for entertaining, as it serves multiple people and can be easily doubled or halved based on your needs.

Ingredients

Yellow onion, chopped
Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Chili powder
Smoked paprika
Chipotle chili powder

Cumin
Kosher salt
Red bell peppers, chopped

Pickled jalapeños, chopped
Can of diced green chilies
Andouille sausage links (optional)

Red salsa
Pumpkin beer (or beer of choice)
Cream cheese, at room temperature

Can of black beans, drained
Shredded cheddar cheese
Fresh cilantro, chopped

Chopped green onion
Avocado, for serving
Greek yogurt, for serving

Variations

Spicy Add-ins: If you love heat, add extra chipotle chili powder or hot sauce for more spice. You can also add more pickled jalapeños to up the heat level.
Make it Vegetarian: Skip the chicken and sausage, and use extra beans and vegetables like corn or zucchini for a delicious vegetarian version.
Use Different Sausage: If you don’t have andouille sausage, you can substitute with any type of sausage you prefer, or even ground turkey or beef for a meaty option.

Low-Carb Option: For a low-carb version, skip the beer and serve the chili with a side of roasted veggies or cauliflower rice instead of tortilla chips or cornbread.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Chicken

In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and sauté until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the chicken breasts or thighs and cook until browned on both sides. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

In the same pot, add another tablespoon of olive oil if needed. Add the red bell peppers, pickled jalapeños, and diced green chilies. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Step 3: Add the Spices

Stir in the chili powder, smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, cumin, and kosher salt. Let the spices toast in the pot for about 1 minute, allowing the flavors to become fragrant.

Step 4: Add the Liquids

Pour in the red salsa and pumpkin beer, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 5: Shred the Chicken

While the chili simmers, shred the cooked chicken breasts or thighs using two forks. Add the shredded chicken back into the pot.

Step 6: Stir in the Cream Cheese

Add the cream cheese to the pot and stir until it melts completely and the chili becomes creamy.

Step 7: Add the Beans and Sausage

Stir in the black beans and, if using, the quartered andouille sausage links. Let everything simmer together for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Step 8: Add the Cheese

Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and incorporated into the chili. Adjust the seasoning with salt, if necessary.

Step 9: Serve

Serve the queso chicken chili hot, topped with fresh cilantro, green onions, avocado, and a dollop of Greek yogurt. Enjoy!

Tips for Making the Recipe

Shred the Chicken: For easy shredding, cook the chicken until it is just done, then shred it with two forks while it’s still hot. This will make the process much easier.
Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature to avoid clumping when adding it to the chili.

Adjust Spice Levels: If you prefer a milder chili, reduce the chipotle chili powder and pickled jalapeños, or omit the andouille sausage.
Leftovers: The chili can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and also freezes well for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stove over low heat for the best texture.

How to Serve

Queso Chicken Chili is perfect on its own, but you can elevate it with some tasty toppings. Serve with freshly chopped cilantro, avocado slices, Greek yogurt, or shredded cheese. It also pairs wonderfully with crispy tortilla chips, cornbread, or a side of rice. For a complete meal, add a side salad or some roasted vegetables.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store the leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors continue to develop, so it may taste even better the next day!

Freezing

This chili freezes well. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove over low heat.

Reheating

Reheat your leftover chili on the stove over medium-low heat, adding a little extra broth or water if the chili has thickened too much.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs will work wonderfully in this recipe. They add extra moisture and flavor to the chili.

2. What can I use if I don’t have pumpkin beer?

If you don’t have pumpkin beer, any beer of your choice will work, or you can substitute with chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version.

3. Can I make this chili ahead of time?

Yes, this chili tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld. You can make it ahead and store it in the fridge or freezer.

4. Can I make this recipe in the slow cooker?

Yes! Brown the chicken and sauté the veggies first, then add everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

5. What can I use if I don’t have andouille sausage?

If you don’t have andouille sausage, you can use any other sausage, ground beef, turkey, or skip the sausage entirely for a lighter version.

6. Can I adjust the spice level?

Yes, you can reduce the amount of chipotle chili powder and omit the pickled jalapeños to make the chili milder.

7. How do I make this recipe dairy-free?

You can leave out the cream cheese and cheddar cheese or substitute with dairy-free cream cheese and shredded dairy-free cheese.

8. Can I use fresh beans instead of canned beans?

Yes, you can use cooked fresh beans instead of canned beans, but make sure they are fully cooked before adding them to the chili.

9. How do I make this chili vegetarian?

Skip the chicken and sausage, and increase the amount of beans or add in some additional vegetables like corn or zucchini.

10. Can I serve this chili with toppings?

Yes! Toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, avocado, fresh cilantro, and green onions are great additions to enhance the flavor.

Conclusion

Queso Chicken Chili is a rich, comforting, and creamy dish packed with bold flavors. It’s perfect for a chilly evening, serving a crowd, or simply enjoying a delicious bowl of chili on a cozy night. With its easy preparation and customizable options, it’s sure to become a staple in your recipe collection. Whether you like it mild or spicy, this queso chicken chili is sure to warm you up and satisfy your hunger with every bite.