Easy Chicken Chili with Apples
Chili is one of those meals that shows up when you want dinner to feel warm, filling, and uncomplicated.
This chicken chili with apples keeps all the comfort of a classic chili, with one gentle twist: chopped apples tucked right into the pot. They soften as the chili cooks, adding a subtle sweetness and texture that feels familiar rather than surprising — especially for kids who already like apples.
It’s the kind of recipe that comes together without much thinking, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want something cozy on the table without a lot of mental effort.
Why this recipe works for real life
This chili earns a regular spot in rotation because it’s:
- ready in just over 30 minutes
- mild and flavorful, without heat
- simple enough for kids to help make
It’s a true “throw it in the pot and let it cook” kind of meal — comforting, dependable, and easy to come back to.
How to make this easy chicken chili
For the full instructions, scroll to the recipe card below. Here’s the big-picture flow:
- Add the ingredients to a pot
- Let everything simmer together
- Stir occasionally and adjust seasoning
- Serve warm with your favorite toppings
That’s it. No complicated prep. No special steps.
Serving & Leftover Notes
This chili is great served fresh and reheats well for leftovers.
Serve it with:
- cornbread
- crackers
- a simple salad or fruit on the side
It’s just as good the next day, which makes it a solid choice for cooking once and eating twice.
Making chili kid-friendly (without making a separate meal)
The key to kid-friendly chili is keeping it flavorful but not spicy — and letting kids have some control.
A few simple ideas:
- Serve toppings family-style so everyone can build their own bowl
- Keep heat optional (hot sauce on the side, if at all)
- Pair with cornbread or a simple side to round out the meal
Choice goes a long way at the table.
Chili is a great recipe for kids to help with
Because chili is so forgiving, it’s a great place for kids to build confidence in the kitchen.
Kids can:
- help measure and add ingredients
- stir the pot
- taste and help decide if it needs more seasoning
There’s no single “right” outcome — which makes it perfect for practicing.
Meals like this don’t rely on bold flavors or complicated techniques. They work because they’re warm, familiar, and easy to enjoy together — which is often exactly what families need most.
For busy, real life families
A gentle place to make meals feel easier
For parents who want to feed their families well without making things harder, join our free, low-pressure space beyond the blog. It’s a place for encouragement, simple ideas, and occasional fun freebies – shared slowly and thoughtfully.
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Apple Chicken Chili
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a large dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion to the pan and sautéed 5 minutes, or until translucent.
- Add the chicken and sprinkle the chili powder and cumin over.
- Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mostly cooked through.
- Add the apples and cook, stirring occasionally, until started to become softened, about 3 minutes.
- Add the flour to a large measuring cup and slowly whisk in the broth. When combined, add to the dutch oven along with the milk.
- Add in the beans to the dutch oven.
- Increase the heat to medium and let the chili simmer for 10 minutes.
- Serve topped with cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro and tortilla chips.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is provided as a general estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands, and substitutions. For specific dietary needs, we recommend calculating nutrition using your preferred tool.
What a great idea to include apples in a chili! Perfect meal for these cool winter days!
The apples in this chili makes it the BEST CHILI!!!
This looks amazing!! Thank you so much!
One of our favorite chili recipes now…it’s so good and packed with flavor!
What a great idea! I love chili, never thought of adding apples. I usually do a veggie chili but I want to give this one a try, chicken and all! Thanks, Robyn
YAY!!! I'm so glad you like that chili! I agree with you about not using a recipe for most chilis…I too usually throw things in a pot and let it simmer. But this is a good one! Savory apples are just as delightful as the sweet ones 🙂 🙂
I like this…I'm definitely going to make this-with a pinch of cinnamon and a can of chili peppers!
Oh, that would be perfect! 🙂
Very creative – I've never had apples in a chili before! Apples and chicken go so nicely together. I bet this is delicious.