My Creole Seasoned Crockpot Chili is a hearty meal packed with protein and incredible flavor to get you through those cold winter nights. Get a taste of garlic, tomatoes, and jalapenos in each spoonful. After that, you’ll be rushing to the crockpot for seconds of this ground turkey and chicken-based chili.

The Super Bowl is this weekend. If you’re trying to figure out your game day menu, my Creole Seasoned Crockpot Chili is a winner! The creole seasoning adds an unexpected pop of flavor to this traditional dish and it couldn’t be easier to make.

You know I love to cook no-fuss meals. While you’re here, check out the easy but delicious recipes for Spinach, Mushroom and, Smoked Salmon Cheese Frittata and Gnocchi with Spicy Chicken Italian Sausage and Asparagus.

A close up shot of Creole Seasoned Crockpot Chili

If you’re a “set it and forget it” kind of cook, you’ve come to the right place! After a quick saute, all of the ingredients in your chili go right into the crockpot and simmer for a few hours before being devoured.

The best part is, this recipe will feed your family but also yield enough leftovers to get creative in the days to come. For instance, chili dogs, tacos, loaded potatoes. The possibilities are endless!

Let’s Talk Ingredients

Firstly, let’s talk about the basic components of chili. Chili is super easy to customize to taste. Want it spicy? Add peppers. Want it healthier? Use lean proteins. My rule for chili: If you have a taste for it, then add it in!

Before we start cooking, let’s go over some of the key ingredients.

• Proteins: Ground beef is prime for chili. I don’t eat beef, so I chose to substitute that with ground turkey and ground chicken instead. With all of the strong flavors, you barely notice the difference.

• Beans: For meatless recipes, beans are the star of the show. For this recipe, I chose kidney beans. It makes the chili thicker and adds some extra fiber.

• Veggies: Tomatoes are the base of any great chili. Onions and garlic add a stronger flavor profile. Jalapenos will give it that kick if you’re ready to turn up the heat.

• Spices: I love to add complementary spices to my chili to get more depth in flavor. For this recipe, the standout spices are chili powder and creole seasoning.

Chili powder is just a mix of cayenne, cumin, paprika, oregano and garlic powder. Creole seasoning is more herb heavy so you’ll taste hints of rosemary, parsley, paprika and basil.

• Cheese: Finally, cheddar cheese is the classic choice for garnish once your chili is ready to be served.

Can you put raw ground meat in a crockpot?

The beauty of the crockpot is that you can stick anything in there and it will cook nice and slow. So, yes you can place raw meat in the crockpot but I don’t recommend it for the Creole Seasoned Crockpot Chili.

Browning your meat ahead of time caramelizes it. As a result, the meat will be more tender and have a richer taste. You can’t get that from the crockpot because the heat is too gentle. If you want that golden brown color or delicious crust, pre-cook the meat in a skillet prior to slow cooking.

You may be wondering, “Well what’s the point of using the crockpot?” However, allowing the food to cook slowly in a crockpot melds all of the ingredients together. Do a taste test throughout the day to adjust ingredients if necessary.

What sides should I serve with Creole Seasoned Crockpot Chili?

What can be served with a bowl of chili? Here are just a few suggestions:

Tortilla or corn chips: As pictured below, you can make the chili into a dip.
Cornbread: Sop up that spicy chili with some buttery cornbread.
Rice: Chili over white rice is a classic choice.

Of course, sour cream, jalapenos, and cheese get honorable mentions as excellent toppings and garnishes.