Description

Crockpot Spicy Queso Beef Chili is the ultimate comfort food for chilly days. This hearty dish blends savory ground beef or chicken with a mix of aromatic spices and creamy cheeses, creating an irresistible flavor profile that will warm you from the inside out. Perfect for gatherings, game days, or cozy family dinners, this chili is not only delicious but also easy to prepare. Just throw everything into your slow cooker and let it work its magic while you relax. Customize each bowl with your favorite toppings like avocado and Greek yogurt for a delightful finishing touch. With its rich flavors and comforting textures, this chili is sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds ground beef (or ground chicken)
2 yellow onions, chopped
2 poblano peppers, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 can (28 ounce) crushed fire roasted tomatoes
1 can (8 ounce) tomato paste
1 can (4 ounce) diced green chilies
1/3 cup hot sauce
3 tablespoons salted butter
2 bay leaves
Salt to taste
2–3 cups chicken or beef broth
6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 can mixed chili beans, drained
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup chopped green onions
Avocado and Greek yogurt, for serving

Instructions

Prepare your ingredients by chopping onions and poblano peppers.
Brown the ground meat in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked; drain excess fat.
In your slow cooker, combine browned meat, chopped onions, poblano peppers, spices, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, hot sauce, butter, bay leaves, salt, and broth.
Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
About 30 minutes before serving, stir in cream cheese and gradually add shredded cheddar cheese until melted and well blended.
Remove bay leaves before serving and top with mixed chili beans, cilantro, green onions, avocado slices, or Greek yogurt as desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Category: Main
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
Calories: 380
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 950mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: For added depth of flavor, consider browning the meat before adding it to the slow cooker. Adjust the spiciness by modifying the amount of cayenne pepper and hot sauce according to personal preference. Feel free to add extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for added texture.