These best chili recipes for football season cover five hearty bowls of beef, chicken, and pork chili, plus a bonus Coney Island sauce for chili dogs. You'll find classic no-bean chili, a pumpkin-and-Guinness version for fall, two distinct white chicken chilis, and a roasted Hatch green chile option. Pick one pot for a small watch party, or pair a beef chili with a chicken chili when you want a little variety. Set out the toppings, slice some cornbread, and let everyone build a bowl. The only heated debate left should be about the game.
Jump to: beef chili · white chicken chili · pork green chile · chili-dog sauce
Beef Chili Recipes for Game Day
Beef chili is the place to start for a rich, hearty bowl. The classic version gets its texture from three cuts of beef and masa harina; the pumpkin version adds kidney beans, sweet potatoes, pumpkin purée, and Guinness for a distinctly fall pot of chili.
Chili Con Carne
Three cuts of beef give this no-bean chili its hearty texture, while masa harina adds body and a subtle corn flavor. Serve with cornbread, chips, cheese, and sour cream.
Hearty Guinness Pumpkin Chili
Ground beef, diced stew meat, pumpkin purée, Guinness, kidney beans, and sweet potatoes make this a hearty fall chili with smoky chipotle flavor.
White Chicken Chili, Two Ways
White chicken chili gives you two different directions here: a creamy finish with cream cheese and heavy cream, or roasted poblanos and onions with puréed beans for body. Both use chicken and white beans, but they earn separate places in the rotation.
Creamy White Chicken Chili
Chicken, white beans, and green chiles simmer together before cream cheese and heavy cream give this white chili its smooth finish. The source recipe includes stovetop and slow cooker instructions.
White Chili
Roasted poblano peppers and onions bring depth to this chicken-and-white-bean chili. Some of the beans are puréed to thicken the broth, with seasoned sour cream and Monterey Jack served on top.
Hatch Pork Green Chile
Roasted Hatch chiles and tender pork make a savory green chile option for the table. Choose the heat level of your peppers to suit your crowd, and allow for the longer simmer in the original recipe. This is a good choice when you want something beyond red chili.
Hatch Pork Green Chile
Roasted Hatch chiles, pork, potatoes, and a masa-and-flour roux make a hearty green chile stew. Use mild, medium, or hot Hatch chiles to suit your taste.
Bonus: Chili Sauce for Game Day Hot Dogs
Hot dog chili sauce is thicker and more finely textured than a bowl of chili. This Coney-style version is meant for spooning over hot dogs, fries, or baked potatoes, so use it for a topping bar alongside-or instead of-a pot of bowl-style chili.
Coney Island Hot Dog Chili Sauce
A finely textured Coney Island hot dog chili sauce made with lean ground beef, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, and warm spices. Spoon it over hot dogs with mustard and onions for cookouts, game day, or an easy family dinner.
How to Choose a Chili for Your Watch Party
Choose by the kind of meal you want first, then by how much cooking time you have. A chili-dog bar needs a topping sauce; a bowls-and-cornbread supper needs a full pot of chili. That small distinction makes the rest of the menu easier.
- For a no-bean bowl: choose the classic beef chili. Its three-cut meat mixture gives you more texture than ground beef alone.
- For a fall menu: the pumpkin-and-Guinness chili brings beans, sweet potatoes, and smoky chipotle to the pot.
- For a creamy option: choose the chicken chili finished with cream cheese and cream. Keep the heat gentle when adding the dairy.
- For roasted-pepper flavor: try the poblano white chili or the Hatch pork green chile. Check the original method before choosing your start time.
Set Up a Simple Chili Topping Bar
A small topping bar lets everyone finish a bowl to taste. Put shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack, sour cream, chopped onion, cilantro, and sliced jalapeños in separate bowls. Add lime wedges and a basket of chips, and keep the extra heat on the side.
Use a separate spoon for each topping and a ladle for each pot. Label the chilis so guests can tell the beef, chicken, and pork options apart, and keep chilled toppings cold and hot chili hot throughout serving. If you offer both bowls and chili dogs, set the buns and hot dogs at the other end of the table to keep the line moving.
What to Serve with Chili
Cornbread and something crunchy are enough to round out a chili supper. Southern buttermilk cornbread gives you a savory side for a rich bowl, while homemade tortilla chips can go alongside or on top just before eating.
Southern Buttermilk Cornbread
Homemade Tortilla Chips
Irish Soda Bread
Whipping Cream Biscuits
Sweet Cornbread
Homemade Garlic Bread
For a larger watch party, browse these tailgate recipes for football season for dips, finger foods, and something sweet. Choose one or two extras that fit your serving space; the chili can do the heavy lifting.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Deep Fried Scorpion Tails
Warm Skillet Bean Dip
7 Layer Dip Cups
Cowboy Caviar
Queso Blanco Dip
Can You Make Chili Before Game Day?
Several recipes here include make-ahead guidance. The creamy white chicken chili can be made up to two days ahead, and the Coney Island sauce also works well prepared in advance. Follow the storage and reheating directions in the individual recipe instead of applying one rule to every pot.
Creamy chili needs a gentler finish than a beef chili. Reduce the heat before stirring in cream cheese and cream, and avoid boiling the finished chili. If you want to use a slow cooker, choose a recipe with its own slow cooker instructions; the creamy white chicken chili and Guinness pumpkin chili both include that option.
A Few Game Day Chili Questions
Which chili is best for chili dogs?
Use the Coney Island hot dog chili sauce in the bonus section. Its finely crumbled beef and thick consistency are designed for a bun, while the other recipes are meant for hearty bowls.
Do all of these chilis have beans?
No. The classic Chili Con Carne and the Coney Island sauce have no beans. The pumpkin chili uses kidney beans, and both white chicken chilis use white beans. The Hatch pork green chile gets body from potatoes and a roux.
How do I keep the toppings from getting soggy?
Keep chips, cornbread, and other crunchy toppings separate until serving. Add them to each bowl at the table so the last bowl gets the same crunch as the first.
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What's in Your Game Day Chili Bowl?
Leave a comment and tell me which chili you're making, whether you're team beans or no beans, and the topping you never skip. If you try one of the recipes, you can leave your rating on that recipe's page, too.
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