15 Easy Chili Recipes for Weeknight Dinners

Chili is one of those dishes that every cook has a strong opinion about. Some people say it must have beans. Others say absolutely not. Some like it thick and smoky; others prefer it light and brothy. The truth is there’s no single right way to make chili, and that’s exactly what makes it so great.

These 15 recipes cover the full range of what chili can be. Classic versions, creative twists, slow cooker shortcuts, and even a bison chili for when you want to try something a little different. Whatever your idea of the perfect bowl of chili is, you’ll find it somewhere on this list.

Quick pick guide: Want a true classic with almost no effort? Chili With Rotel is your fastest weeknight option. Cooking for a crowd or feeling adventurous? Chili With Beef Brisket or Chili Verde Slow Cooker are worth the extra time. Turning chili into a full meal beyond the bowl? Jump to Chili Burger, Chili Cheese Dog, or Chili Cheese Burrito.

1. Chili With Rotel

Rotel tomatoes add a bold, tangy kick that takes this chili from good to great with almost no extra effort. It comes together quickly, leans on pantry staples, and delivers big flavor every single time – a weeknight dinner that feels like much more than a simple weeknight dinner.

Get the full Chili With Rotel recipe →

2. Chili With Beef Brisket

If you’ve never made chili with brisket, you’re seriously missing out. The slow-cooked beef adds a depth of flavor and tenderness that ground beef simply can’t match. This recipe is worth every extra minute it takes, and the results will completely change how you think about chili.

Get the full Chili With Beef Brisket recipe →

3. Chili Verde Slow Cooker

Green chili is a completely different animal from red chili, and this slow cooker version is one of the best ways to make it. Pork shoulder, tomatillos, and green chiles cook low and slow all day until everything is fall-apart tender and deeply flavorful. Serve it over rice or with warm tortillas.

Get the full Chili Verde Slow Cooker recipe →

4. No-Tomato Chili

For anyone who doesn’t like tomatoes, or just wants to try something different, this chili proves tomatoes aren’t actually required for a great bowl. The flavor is rich, deep, and completely satisfying without a single tomato in sight.

Get the full No-Tomato Chili recipe →

5. Chili with Noodles

Adding noodles to chili might sound unusual, but it’s actually a beloved regional style with a dedicated following for good reason. The noodles soak up all the chili flavor and make the dish even more filling and satisfying than a regular bowl.

Get the full Chili with Noodles recipe →

6. Tomato Soup Chili

Using canned tomato soup as a base is a clever shortcut that adds richness and depth to chili without any extra work. This one’s perfect for nights when you want something hearty and homemade but don’t have much time or energy to spend in the kitchen.

Get the full Tomato Soup Chili recipe →

7. Dried Bean Chili

Dried beans take a little more planning than canned, but the results are completely worth it. This recipe shows you exactly how to use dried beans in chili for a texture and flavor canned beans simply can’t match. Once you try it, you may never go back.

Get the full Dried Bean Chili recipe →

8. Steak ‘n Shake Style Chili (Copycat)

A copycat of the beloved Steak ‘n Shake chili, this recipe captures that specific thin, saucy style the chain is famous for. Served over spaghetti or as a topping for hot dogs, it’s a nostalgic bowl that brings back memories with every bite.

Get the full Steak ‘n Shake Style Chili copycat recipe →

9. Chili Potato Soup

Part chili, part potato soup, this recipe combines the best of both worlds into one incredibly comforting bowl. Thick, hearty, and loaded with flavor, it’s the kind of dish that becomes a family staple after the very first time you make it.

Get the full Chili Potato Soup recipe →

10. Chili Tacos

Chili and tacos together is one of those combinations that makes complete sense the moment you try it. This recipe uses leftover or freshly made chili as a taco filling that’s bold, saucy, and completely satisfying – a great way to turn leftover chili into a whole new meal.

Get the full Chili Tacos recipe →

11. Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix

Before you can make great chili, you need a great seasoning blend. This homemade chili seasoning mix beats anything you’ll find in a packet at the store and takes just minutes to put together. Make a big batch and keep it in your pantry for whenever the craving hits.

Get the full Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix recipe →

12. Chili Burger

Taking chili off the plate and putting it on a burger is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. This recipe builds a proper chili burger from the ground up – a juicy patty, rich beefy chili, melted cheese, and all the right toppings. Messy, indulgent, and completely worth it.

Get the full Chili Burger recipe →

13. Chili Cheese Dog

A classic American comfort food that never goes out of style. This recipe shows you how to build a proper chili cheese dog with homemade chili that takes the whole thing to another level – perfect for game days, backyard cookouts, or any time you want something fun and satisfying.

Get the full Chili Cheese Dog recipe →

14. Chili Cheese Burrito

Chili stuffed inside a warm flour tortilla with melted cheese is one of those simple combinations that’s far greater than the sum of its parts. This recipe builds a proper chili cheese burrito that’s filling enough to be a complete meal and easy enough to make on any weeknight.

Get the full Chili Cheese Burrito recipe →

15. Bison Chili

Bison is leaner than beef but just as flavorful, and it makes an incredible chili. This recipe uses ground bison in a rich, smoky chili that’s slightly lighter than the beef version but every bit as satisfying. If you’ve never cooked with bison, this is the perfect recipe to start with.

Get the full Bison Chili recipe →

Final Thoughts

With 15 different chili recipes to choose from, you never have to make the same bowl twice. Whether you’re a chili purist who sticks to the classics or someone who loves to experiment with new variations, this list has something for you. Pick one tonight and start working your way through the rest, because every single one is worth trying.