If you’re craving a bold, hearty, and flavorful chili that punches way above its weight, then the Ninja Chili recipe is the perfect dish to try. This recipe harnesses the power and convenience of the Ninja Foodi or any Ninja multi-cooker to create a chili that’s rich with spices, tender beans, and savory vegetables.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for a cozy meal to enjoy after a long day, this chili will not disappoint. It’s easy to customize, packed with nutrients, and comes together quickly thanks to the Ninja’s pressure cooking and slow cooking functions.
Plus, it’s a one-pot wonder, which means less cleanup and more time to savor every spicy, smoky bite!
Get ready to impress your taste buds and warm your soul with this ninja-style chili that’s perfect for game days, weeknight dinners, or meal prepping for the week ahead. Let’s dive right in and discover why this chili belongs in your recipe rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Ninja Chili recipe is a game changer for chili lovers and busy cooks alike. It combines the convenience of a Ninja Foodi or similar multi-cooker with a rich blend of spices and wholesome ingredients.
Here’s why you’ll love making it:
- Fast and Easy: The Ninja cooker drastically cuts down cooking time without sacrificing flavor.
- One-Pot Meal: Less washing up and more time to enjoy your meal.
- Customizable: Easily adjust spice levels and ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs.
- Nutritious: Loaded with beans, vegetables, and lean protein (or plant-based alternatives), it’s a balanced, hearty meal.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Makes excellent leftovers that taste even better the next day.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey, or plant-based ground meat)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
- 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
- 1 tsp oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños
Equipment
- Ninja Foodi or Ninja multi-cooker (with pressure cook and sauté functions)
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Measuring spoons
- Can opener
- Knife and cutting board
- Serving bowls
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients. Chop the onion, bell peppers, and mince the garlic. Drain and rinse the beans.
- Sauté the aromatics. Turn your Ninja Foodi to the sauté setting. Add the olive oil, then toss in the chopped onion and garlic. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Brown the meat. Add the ground beef (or alternative) to the pot. Break it apart with your spoon and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add the spices. Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir well so the meat and vegetables are coated evenly with the spices.
- Add remaining ingredients. Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices, broth, black beans, kidney beans, and chopped bell peppers. Stir everything together to combine.
- Pressure cook the chili. Secure the lid on your Ninja Foodi and ensure the valve is set to “seal.” Select the pressure cook function and set the timer for 15 minutes.
- Natural release. When cooking is finished, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully switch the valve to “vent” to release any remaining pressure.
- Final touch. Remove the lid and give the chili a good stir. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. If you prefer a thicker chili, you can use the sauté function to simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Serve and garnish. Ladle chili into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes like shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, or jalapeños.
Tips & Variations
For a vegetarian or vegan version, swap the ground meat with plant-based crumbles or add extra beans and vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini.
If you prefer a spicier chili, add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce before pressure cooking.
Feel free to experiment with different beans such as pinto or cannellini. Adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder or a splash of coffee can deepen the chili’s flavor profile.
For a smoky twist, use chipotle peppers in adobo sauce instead of cayenne pepper.
Want to make this recipe even easier? Prepare the chopped vegetables in advance or use canned diced green chilies for extra convenience.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount (per serving) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 kcal |
| Protein | 24 g |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 9 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3 g |
| Sodium | 580 mg |
| Vitamin A | 20% DV |
| Vitamin C | 45% DV |
| Iron | 25% DV |
Serving Suggestions
Ninja Chili is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. Here are some delicious ideas:
- Serve over a bed of steamed rice or fluffy quinoa for a filling meal.
- Top with crushed tortilla chips or cornbread for added texture.
- Add a dollop of guacamole or avocado slices for creaminess and healthy fats.
- Pair with a fresh green salad like the Baby Spinach Salad Recipe Vegan: Fresh & Easy Ideas to balance the hearty chili flavors.
- Use as a topping for baked potatoes or sweet potatoes.
Conclusion
This Ninja Chili recipe is a fantastic addition to any home cook’s repertoire. With its perfect balance of spices, hearty beans, and savory meat (or plant-based alternative), it delivers comfort and nutrition in every bowl.
The use of the Ninja multi-cooker makes the process simple and efficient, allowing you to enjoy a homemade chili without the long wait. Whether you’re making dinner for your family or prepping meals for the week, this chili is sure to satisfy.
Don’t forget to explore other tasty and healthy recipes on our site like the Afghan Vegetarian Pulao Recipe Easy and Delicious Guide and the Vegan Potato Corn Chowder Recipe for Cozy Comfort Food. For more plant-based inspiration, check out our Vegan Recipes No Tofu: Delicious Plant-Based Meals.
Enjoy your culinary adventure with this Ninja Chili, and happy cooking!
📖 Recipe Card: Ninja Chili Recipe
Description: A hearty and flavorful chili packed with spices and tender beans. Perfect for a cozy meal that’s quick to prepare using a Ninja cooker.
Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT45M
Total Time: PT1H
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Set Ninja cooker to sauté and brown ground beef.
- Add diced onion and garlic; cook until softened.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth.
- Switch to pressure cook mode and cook for 30 minutes.
- Release pressure carefully and stir chili before serving.
Nutrition: Calories: 320 | Protein: 25g | Fat: 12g | Carbs: 28g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Ninja Chili Recipe”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A hearty and flavorful chili packed with spices and tender beans. Perfect for a cozy meal that\u2019s quick to prepare using a Ninja cooker.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT45M”, “totalTime”: “PT1H”, “recipeYield”: “6 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 lb ground beef”, “1 medium onion, diced”, “3 cloves garlic, minced”, “1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed”, “1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed”, “1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes”, “1/4 cup tomato paste”, “1 cup beef broth”, “2 tbsp chili powder”, “1 tsp cumin”, “1/2 tsp smoked paprika”, “Salt and pepper to taste”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Set Ninja cooker to saut\u00e9 and brown ground beef.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add diced onion and garlic; cook until softened.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Switch to pressure cook mode and cook for 30 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Release pressure carefully and stir chili before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “320”, “proteinContent”: “25g”, “fatContent”: “12g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “28g”}}