Chef John’s Mississippi chicken chili could not be easier to make in the slow cooker with only a handful of ingredients. Made with cannellini beans, pepperoncini peppers, and a whole stick of butter , the chili comes out rich and delicious. You can substitute any canned beans for the cannellini beans.
Mississippi Chicken Chili
Chef John’s Mississippi chicken chili could not be easier to make in the slow cooker with only a handful of ingredients. Made with cannellini beans, pepperoncini peppers, and a whole stick of butter , the chili comes out rich and delicious. You can substitute any canned beans for the cannellini beans.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 1-ounce packet powdered au jus gravy mix
- 1 1/2 ounce packet powdered ranch dressing mix
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 15-ounce cans white kidney beans (cannellini beans), drained
- 1/2 cup pepperoncini pepper brine from the jar
- 1 15-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
- 1 stick unsalted butter sliced into 8 pieces
Instructions
- Place chicken thighs into a slow cooker. Sprinkle over the powdered au jus gravy mix, ranch dressing, and chili powder. Top with cannellini
- beans, pepperoncini pepper brine, fire roasted diced tomatoes, sliced pepperoncini peppers, and butter.
- Cover, and cook until chicken thighs are fork tender, on High for 3 to 4 hours or on Low for 6 to 8 hours. During the cooking time, use tongs or a long spoon to stir and redistribute the ingredients every hour or so.
- Once chicken is tender, transfer chicken thighs to a bowl. Use a pair of the kitchen scissors to cut chicken thighs into about 1-2-inch pieces. Transfer chicken thighs back into the chili in the slow cooker, and stir to combine. Reduce heat setting to warm mode, and taste for seasoning before serving.
Notes
You can use chicken breasts instead of thighs, but the thighs make for a better chili, and won’t dry out during the long cooking time.
For a more pronounced chili flavor, you can double the amount of chili powder. For a spicier version, ground chipotle can be substituted for some of the chili powder.
