Chili Cook Off: 9 Crowd-Pleasing Recipes

From a half-hour chili recipe to combining lamb and chickpeas into a savory and unique chili dish, bring one of these to your next gathering. We promise they’ll be a hit!

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Half-Hour Chili

This truly tasty half-hour vegetarian chili is made possible by using convenient canned beans and tomatoes (no pantry should be without them). Whole-grain bulgur adds another layer of toothsome texture and nutritional heft. This chili is relatively mild, so it’s a good crowd-pleaser. If you like it spicy, add extra chili powder or serve with hot sauce.

Note: Bulgur is made by parboiling, drying and coarsely grinding or cracking wheat berries. Don’t confuse bulgur with cracked wheat, which is simply that—cracked wheat. Since the parboiling step is skipped, cracked...

Source: EatingWell View Recipe

Ultimate Beef Chili

Offer garnishes, such as reduced-fat sour cream and grated Cheddar cheese (about 1 tablespoon each per person), chopped scallions and chopped fresh tomatoes. Serve with warmed corn tortillas and a green salad topped with orange slices.

For a hot, smoky chili, add 1 tablespoon chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce.

Per serving: 250 calories; 5 g fat (1 g sat, 2 g mono); 28 mg cholesterol; 31 g carbohydrate; 18 g protein; 11 g fiber; 490 mg sodium; 582 mg potassium; 0 g added sugars

Carbohydrate Servings: 1 1/2

Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 1/2 vegetable, 2 1/2 lean meat...

Source: EatingWell View Recipe

Slow-Cooker Black Bean-Mushroom Chili

Black beans, earthy mushrooms and tangy tomatillos combine with a variety of spices and smoky chipotles to create a fantastic full-flavored chili. It can simmer in the slow cooker all day, which makes it perfect for a healthy supper when the end of your day is rushed.

Ingredient notes: Chipotle peppers are dried, smoked jalapeño peppers. Ground chipotle chile pepper can be found in the specialty spice section of most supermarkets. Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce are smoked jalapeños packed in a flavorful sauce. Look for the small cans with the Mexican foods in large...

Source: EatingWell View Recipe

White Chili

This fragrant "white" chili is an unusual, delicious alternative to traditional tomato-based chilis. Serve with lime wedges and a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkling of cheese.

Per serving: 446 calories; 6 g fat (1 g sat, 2 g mono); 64 mg cholesterol; 51 g carbohydrate; 46 g protein; 11 g fiber; 492 mg sodium; 1234 mg potassium; 0 g added sugars

Carbohydrate Servings: 2 1/2

Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 vegetable, 5 lean meat

Nutrition Bonus: Folate (48% daily value), Magnesium (35% dv), Vitamin C (33% dv), Iron (28% dv), Zinc (23% dv)

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Source: EatingWell View Recipe

Shrimp Chili Cornbread Casserole

Here we make a low-fat shrimp and vegetable chili (which is quite tasty on its own) and top it with a layer of golden cornbread for a delicious casserole that can be made ahead. The dish serves 12, so it’s just right for serving to a crowd gathered to watch a Sunday afternoon game on TV.

Ingredient note: Shrimp is usually sold by the number needed to make one pound. For example, “21-25 count” means there will be 21 to 25 shrimp in a pound. Size names, such as “large” or “extra large,” are not standardized, so to be sure you’re...

Source: EatingWell View Recipe

Beef & Bean Chile Verde

Chile Verde, usually a slow-cooked stew of pork, jalapeños and tomatillos, becomes an easy weeknight meal with quick-cooking ground beef and store-bought green salsa. Make it a Meal: Serve with fresh cilantro, red onion and Monterey Jack. Add your favorite hot sauce.

Per serving: 309 calories; 8 g fat (3 g sat, 3 g mono); 64 mg cholesterol; 29 g carbohydrate; 27 g protein; 6 g fiber; 516 mg sodium; 641 mg potassium; 0 g added sugars

Carbohydrate Servings: 1 1/2

Exchanges: 1 starch, 2 vegetable, 3 lean meat

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (100% daily value), Vitamin...

Source: EatingWell View Recipe

Chili Cornbread Casserole

Here’s a fun way to serve chili and cornbread together. Don’t let the ingredient list intimidate you—this casserole is easy to make and a real crowd pleaser.

Per serving: 494 calories; 18 g fat (7 g sat, 7 g mono); 86 mg cholesterol; 56 g carbohydrate; 30 g protein; 13 g fiber; 799 mg sodium; 1046 mg potassium; 3 g added sugars

Carbohydrate Servings: 3

Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 vegetable, 3 medium-fat meat, 1 fat

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (44% daily value), Vitamin C (43% dv), Zinc (36% dv), Iron (34% dv), Calcium (31% dv), Magnesium &...

Source: EatingWell View Recipe

Lamb & Chickpea Chili

This spicy chili has a North African spin with lamb, cinnamon and harissa. If you can’t find harissa, use mild chili powder in its place. You can turn up the heat with a little cayenne or hot sauce if you like it spicy. Serve with whole-wheat pita bread and tabbouleh.

Note: Harissa is a fiery Tunisian chile paste commonly used in North African cooking. Find it at specialty-food stores or online at mustaphas.com or amazon.com. Different brands of harissa vary in heat, so taste it and add accordingly.

Per serving: 328 calories; 17 g fat (4 g sat, 6 g mono); 70 mg...

Source: EatingWell View Recipe

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili

Make a double batch of this quick vegetarian chili, full of black beans and sweet potatoes, and eat it for lunch the next day or freeze the extras for another night. We love the smoky heat from the ground chipotle, but omit it if you prefer a mild chili. Serve with tortilla chips or cornbread and coleslaw.

Note: Chipotle peppers are dried, smoked jalapeño peppers. Ground chipotle chile pepper can be found in the spice section of most supermarkets or online at penzeys.com.

Per serving: 319 calories; 8 g fat (1 g sat, 5 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 54 g carbohydrate; 12 g...

Source: EatingWell View Recipe