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Spicy Game Day Chili packs a punch of flavor that everyone will love. This recipe is a perfect balance of sauce, meat, aromatics, beans, and spice. Made with simple ingredients and spices, that you probably already have in your kitchen.
Game day is a big deal in our house! When people ask what my favorite season is, I say football season without hesitation. We usually have multiple games on, friends over, and there is a lot of yelling at people that can’t hear us. What makes game day even better is the food!
On game day I aim to make food that packs a punch of flavor, is simple to make, and can feed a crowd! The first dish that comes to mind and checks off all of those boxes ahead of the big game is my Spicy Game Day Chili.
The heat in this Spicy Game Day Chili builds with every bite, for a slow burn that is satisfying and savory. My friends that taste tested my Spicy Game Day chili on it’s game day premiere were obsessed with the unique flavor!
SEASON THE MEAT, NOT JUST THE SAUCE
The key to a flavorful chili is to season your meat mixture. By adding your spices to the meat, you are also toasting the spices which develops a deeper flavor profile. Only adding your spices to the sauce would result in a more raw spice flavor and a longer cooking time.
MODIFY THE HEAT
My favorite part of chili is the heat. I know that not everyone feels the same way and that is OK. Like any recipe I create for you guys, we can modify!
For less heat skip the green chilis and/or reduce the cayenne pepper by half. You will still get the amazing chili flavor but it will be more mild.
If you want to get crazy and like your chili HOT, top your Spicy Game Day Chili with your favorite hot sauce.
COOKING METHODS
Large Soup Pot
Follow the Spicy Game Day Chili recipe as is, for an easy one pot cooking approach.
Crock Pot
Depending on the features of your crock pot, you may be able to follow the recipe as is. I have a stovetop feature on my ninja multi-cooker, and am able to follow the recipe as directed.
If you want to use a crock pot without a stovetop feature, I would recommend completing steps 1-4 using a skillet and transfer the meat mixture to the crock pot and then complete steps 5, but cook the chili on high for at least 1 hour or more.
FAVORITE TOPPINGS
There are so many different combinations that you can top your chili with.
Here are my go to’s:
Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese – adding cheese gives you some relief from the spice and adds a creaminess to your chili that you didn’t know you needed. I love to use monterey jack cheese because it has a tangy, buttery flavor that melts perfectly into the spicy chili.
Frito’s – who doesn’t love some crunch and texture! If you really want to add a flavor bomb, use the chili cheese flavored fritos.
Cilantro – adding herbs like cilantro, will add pops of brightness to every bite.
USE SPICY GAME DAY CHILI AS A TOPPING
Chili is also a topping that adds so much flavor to any dish. Use this spicy chili recipe to top your fries, hotdogs, baked potatoes, or even noodles for a skyline chili vibe!
Spicy Game Day Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Avocado Oil
- 1 Medium Sized White Onion Diced
- 3 Garlic Cloves Diced
- 1 lb Ground Beef 80/20
- 4 oz Diced Green Chilis Canned (Do Not Drain)
- 14 oz Petite Diced Tomatoes Canned
- 15 oz Tomato Sauce Canned
- 1 cup Beef Broth
- 15 oz Dark Red Kidney Beans Canned (Rinsed)
Meat Seasonings
- 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Chipotle Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Heat 1 tbsp of avocado oil over medium/high heat. Once the oil is glistening, add onions and garlic, cook until onions are translucent and garlic is fragrant.
- Add in 1 lb of ground beef and cook until browned. Once browned, if there is excess grease strain the meat, onions, and garlic to remove the grease and return to the pan.
- Add 4 oz can of diced green chilis (do not drain the chili juice) to the meat mixture and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp chipotle chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to the meat, aromatics, and chili mixture, cook 1 minute.
- Add 14.5 oz petite diced tomatoes, 15 oz tomato sauce, 15 oz dark red kidney beans (rinsed), and 1 cup of beef broth. Cook on low/medium heat with lid on at lead 1 hour to develop flavors.
- Serve with shredded monterey jack cheese, Fritos, cilantro or your favorite toppings!
FINDING FLAVOR COMMUNITY
If you loved this dish or made this dish your own by getting creative in the kitchen, please leave me a comment below! I invite you to join the Finding Flavor community by following me Instagram and Pinterest.