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Home ยป Best Of ยป Chili recipes with fun and flavorful twists

Chili recipes with fun and flavorful twists

Modified: Aug 8, 2025 by Molly Pisula ยท Published: Aug 9, 2025 ยท As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Spice up your kitchen game with a delightful twist on a classic comfort food! Our "Chili Recipes That Use Weird But Delicious Add-Ins" roundup will showcase a wide array of unique ingredients that might surprise you. From sweet to savory and everything in between, these recipes take the beloved chili to new, unexpected heights.

Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will tantalize your taste buds and have you questioning everything you thought you knew about chili.

Smoked Brisket Chili

Smoked Brisket Chili
Image via Girl Carnivore

Embrace your leftover brisket and give it a delightful new life as a savory, smoky chili. This heart-warming dish will not only ensure zero waste, but also fulfill your desire for robust, hearty flavors. Take a culinary adventure and turn your leftovers into a meal that's sure to comfort and satisfy.

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Smoked Beef Shank Over the Top Chili Recipe

Smoked Beef Shank Over the Top Chili Recipe
Image via Girl Carnivore

Rediscover your much-loved chili recipe with a delightful twist. Experience the richness of flavor that comes from smoking your beef shank prior to adding it to your chili. This innovative approach to chili will surely enchant your taste buds and make regular chili a thing of the past. Welcome home to a warm, comforting bowl of smoky, flavorful chili.

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Easy Steak Chili

Easy Steak Chili
Image via Or Whatever You Do

Indulge in our Easy Steak Chili, where succulent pieces of steak are gently simmered to perfection in a robust and fiery chili sauce. This substantial and tantalizing meal is just the comforting delight you need on a chilly day. It's also the perfect crowd-pleaser for those thrilling game day get-togethers. Come, relish the warmth and cheer it brings to your table.

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Smoked Over The Top No-Bean Chili Recipe

Smoked Over The Top No-Bean Chili Recipe
Image via Or Whatever You Do

Welcome to a fresh, unique take on chili that fills your kitchen with a smoky aroma and your palate with a hearty, robust meatiness. This bean-free recipe is perfect for those who love their chili strong and flavorful. Dive into this warming, smoky dish that promises to satisfy all chili lovers seeking a hearty meal. Join us on this culinary adventure and let's make chili like never before!

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Blackstone Sweet Chili Shrimp

Blackstone Sweet Chili Shrimp
Image via Or Whatever You Do

This Blackstone shrimp recipe blends the gentle sweetness of sweet chili sauce with just the right touch of heat, creating a perfectly balanced flavor profile. Cooked on a Blackstone griddle for a hint of smoky char, the shrimp turn tender and flavorful, making them ideal for a quick, satisfying meal or a memorable appetizer for any occasion.

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Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
Image via The Kitchen Magpie

White chicken chili made in the Instant Pot delivers rich, comforting flavor in every spoonful. Tender chicken, creamy beans, and a perfectly seasoned broth come together quickly under pressure, creating a hearty dish thatโ€™s both satisfying and easy to prepare.

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Pressure Cooker Chili Lime Chicken Tacos

Pressure Cooker Chili Lime Chicken Tacos
Image via The Creative Bite

These chili lime chicken tacos pack bright, zesty flavor and come together quickly in the pressure cooker. Tender, seasoned chicken pairs perfectly with your favorite taco toppings, making them an easy, satisfying choice for a weeknight meal or casual gathering.

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Instant Pot Chicken Ramen With Sweet Chili Oil

Instant Pot Chicken Ramen With Sweet Chili Oil
Image via The Creative Bite

Experience the richness of our chicken ramen recipe, delicately crafted with a hint of homemade sweet chili oil and effortlessly prepared in an Instant Pot. This delightful dish not only promises bursts of flavor but also the ease of a quick preparation. Perfect for those cozy nights in, it's your go-to solution for a soul-warming, comforting meal. So why wait? Dive into this tantalizing culinary experience today.

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Spicy, Creamy, Delicious: Chiliโ€™s Cajun Chicken Pasta Copycat Recipe

Spicy, Creamy, Delicious: Chiliโ€™s Cajun Chicken Pasta Copycat Recipe
Image via CopyKat Recipes

Indulge in the savory delight of Chili's Cajun Chicken Pasta, a dish bursting with flavor. This tantalizing meal can effortlessly be recreated within the comforting walls of your own kitchen. So, roll up your sleeves and prepare to be swept away by a culinary experience that's both satisfying and warmly inviting.

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Traeger Chicken Chili

Traeger Chicken Chili
Image via Or Whatever You Do

This chili recipe uses the Traeger grill to infuse the chicken with a rich, smoky flavor before combining it with hearty ingredients for a comforting bowl. Perfect for chilly days, itโ€™s a satisfying dish that brings warmth and depth to every bite.

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La Cocina Chili Colorado con Carne Recipe

La Cocina Chili Colorado con Carne Recipe
Image via CopyKat Recipes

La Cocina's Chili Colorado con Carne is a heartwarming dish that will fill your home with the rich, comforting scent of red chili powder. This robust recipe combines the warmth of spices with the hearty satisfaction of ground beef. We invite you to experience the flavors of this delightful dish and let it bring a touch of warmth to your table.

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Copycat Wick Fowler 2 Alarm Chili

Copycat Wick Fowler 2 Alarm Chili
Image via CopyKat Recipes

Leave behind the packet and venture into creating your own homemade Wick Fowler 2 Alarm Chili, using the simple spices found in your pantry. Experience the joy of adjusting the heat to suit your own taste while savoring the rich, authentic flavor of Texas. Come, let's bring warmth and excitement to your kitchen with this delightful recipe.

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James Coney Island Chili

James Coney Island Chili
Image via CopyKat Recipes

Indulge in a bowl of our Texas-style chili, lovingly prepared with tender diced chuck roast and without beans. It's a versatile delight, ideal for enhancing chili dogs or adding a zesty touch to Frito pie. Revel in its rich, hearty flavor with every spoonful, or use it to elevate your favorite dishes to new heights of deliciousness.

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Ground Turkey Chili with Butternut Squash

Ground Turkey Chili with Butternut Squash
Image via Girl Carnivore

Unsure about turkey chili? Trust us, our unique blend of secret ingredients creates a rich, indulgent flavor that'll make you forget about traditional beef chili. The addition of butternut squash imparts a subtle sweetness that makes this dish our most beloved healthy comfort food recipe. Give it a try, we promise it will be a delightful surprise!

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Easy Dutch Oven Venison Chili

Easy Dutch Oven Venison Chili
Image via Girl Carnivore

Craving a mouthwatering venison dish? We invite you to savor our hearty Venison Chili. This unique blend of ground venison, smoky ancho chili powder, and our secret ingredient - cocoa powder- promises an unforgettable culinary experience. Come, indulge in its rich flavors and let it warm your heart and soul!

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Wild Hog Chili

Wild Hog Chili
Image via Or Whatever You Do

Step into a culinary adventure with our Wild Hog Chili, a robust and zesty delight crafted from wild hog meat, beans, and a medley of spices. This distinctive chili offers a daring twist on tradition, perfect for those who yearn for a taste of the wild. Its bold flavors promise a deliciously different experience that will leave you craving for more. So, come, savor the rich flavors of this hearty chili that is sure to warm your palate and heart.

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Hearty Sirloin Steak Chili (Stove Top, Slow Cooker)

Hearty Sirloin Steak Chili (Stove Top, Slow Cooker)
Image via Blackberry Babe

Savor the robust flavors of our steak chili, brimming with succulent pieces of steak gently simmered alongside beans, tomatoes, and an assortment of fragrant spices. This rich and heart-warming dish offers the ultimate comfort. It's the ideal companion for a cozy dinner on a cold evening or for adding a touch of warmth to your game day celebrations.

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Smoked Pulled Pork Chili

Smoked Pulled Pork Chili
Image via Or Whatever You Do

This smoked pulled pork chili blends tender pork, hearty beans, and a bold mix of spices for a rich, smoky flavor. Perfect for cool evenings, itโ€™s a comforting, satisfying dish that brings warmth and depth to every spoonful.

Get The Recipe.

Colorado Green Chili

Colorado Green Chili
Image via Girl Carnivore

No need to travel to Denver for this delightful, authentic green chili recipe. It has been known to transform even the most skeptical soup eaters with its deep, smoky richness. Our unique roasting technique and careful timing of ingredients unfold into layers of irresistible flavor, surpassing many restaurant versions.

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Bison Chili

Bison Chili
Image via Stetted

Experience the delightful warmth of our wonderfully spiced bison chili. This unique take on the traditional chili swaps out ground beef for leaner bison, making it a healthier yet equally flavorful option. Come, savor the vibrant flavors and enjoy a comforting bowl of this hearty chili. It's a culinary adventure waiting for you to embark upon.

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White Bean Chicken Chili

White Bean Chicken Chili
Image via Stetted

As the chill of the season sets in, it's time to indulge in comforting recipes like our delightful white bean chicken chili. Perfectly suited for any night, this heart-warming dish will certainly satisfy your craving. Simply let your slow cooker do all the work and voila, a hands-off, delicious dinner is served!

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Pumpkin Turkey Chili

Pumpkin Turkey Chili
Image via Stetted

Crafted lovingly in a slow cooker, our effortless turkey chili is brimming with a hearty mix of beans and an array of warming spices. To tantalize your taste buds further, a hint of pumpkin is added, enhancing the depth of flavor. This chili is not just a dish, it's a comforting, culinary experience waiting to be savored. Join us and indulge in its richness.

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I'm Molly, a former personal chef trained in French pastry. Here you'll find veggie-forward, seasonal recipes with a little French kiss!

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