This easy slow cooker paleo chicken chili recipe is a real crowd pleaser! It’s loaded with vegetables—and it has a secret ingredient standing in for the beans.
How to make chili without beans
This crock pot chicken chili recipe uses one of the most versatile ingredients for paleo cooking—cauliflower. I’ve used cauliflower in everything from hummus to gravy to making cauli rice. In this cauliflower chili recipe, the cauliflower is standing in for the beans.
And replacing the beans makes this chili an easy paleo and Whole30 dinner. Just dump everything in the slow cooker, and let it cook all day.
I use my simple homemade chili powder in this chicken chili. It’s a mix of just five spices that creates that classic chili flavor. And unlike store-bought chili powder, I know it doesn’t contain any processed food chemicals or fillers. The only other spice I add to the chili is chipotle chile flakes for a little extra smoky heat.
I would call this chili medium-hot. It has three different types of heat—smoked hot paprika in the chili powder, chipotle chile flakes, and fresh poblano pepper. The poblano is a mild to medium-hot pepper.
Of course, you can always adjust the heat to your taste by adding more or less of the dried chile. You can also substitute a green bell pepper for the poblano pepper if you want a milder chili. Or use a hotter pepper to add more heat. Here’s a guide to popular hot pepper varieties.
As for the tomatoes, be sure to use organic tomato puree with no sugar added. Look for one packaged in a BPA free can or glass jar.
Homemade chicken stock is easy to make in the slow cooker and has the best flavor. But you can always substitute a good quality organic chicken broth. Just make sure to check the label for ingredients that are not real food. If it’s not something you would put in chicken stock if you were making it at home, it doesn’t belong in your chili.
This slow cooker chicken chili is my go-to for football watching. It’s so easy to make and you can set the slow cooker to keep it warm for serving. Don’t forget to top the chili with avocado, lime, and cilantro when you serve it. It really takes it up a notch.

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Crock Pot Cauliflower Chicken Chili
This easy homemade paleo chicken chili recipe uses cauliflower to stand in for the beans.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 289kcal
Ingredients
Toppings
- 1 avocado
- 1 lime
- fresh cilantro
Instructions
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Add all chili ingredients to crock pot and stir to combine.
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Cook on low for 8 hours. Taste and adjust seasonings.
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Cube avocado, cut lime into wedges and chop fresh cilantro.
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Serve chili topped with avocado, a squeeze of lime juice, and cilantro to taste.
Equipment
Slow cooker
Nutrition
Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 621mg | Potassium: 1377mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2285IU | Vitamin C: 88.1mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 4.4mg
More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes
Crock Pot Turkey Bolognese Sauce with Zucchini Noodles
Crock Pot Whole Chicken
Paleo Crock Pot Chicken Soup
Looking for more healthy slow cooker recipes? Check out these 30 paleo crock pot recipes.
What’s your favorite slow cooker recipe? Let me know in the comments below!