Skinny Taco Chili – Easy and Sensational (Crock-Pot or Cook-Top)

Taco night meets chili night in one seriously delicious dinner! This Skinny Taco Chili is hearty, easy to make, and packed with flavor. Even better, each cup has an impressive 9 grams of fiber!
Serve it in bowls with your favorite toppings, spoon it over a baked potato, or turn it into a yummy taco salad. And since it freezes beautifully, I love dividing the leftovers into individual portions for quick meals later.
Each 1-cup serving has just 230 calories and 2 grams of fat. Easy, satisfying, and absolutely delicious!
Skinny Taco Chili (Crock-pot or Stove-top)

Why You'll Love My Skinny Taco Chili

Why You’ll Love My Skinny Taco Chili

This easy Taco Chili has all the yummy flavors of tacos in one hearty bowl! It’s loaded with lean meat, kidney beans, black beans, tomatoes, corn, and plenty of taco flavor.
You can make it in the Crock-Pot or right on the stove, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights. I also love that it freezes beautifully—divide leftovers into individual servings for easy meals later.
And with 230 calories, just 2 grams of fat, and an impressive 9 grams of fiber per cup, it’s satisfying without being heavy.

How to Make Skinny Taco Chili: Crock-Pot or Stove-Top

Method 1: Crock-Pot Preparation
  • Brown the Meat:
    • In a large nonstick pan, brown 1 pound of extra lean ground beef or 99% fat-free ground turkey breast over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until crumbled.
    • Drain any excess fat from the browned meat using a colander.
  • Combine Ingredients:
    • Add the browned meat to the Crock-Pot.
    • Mix in 1 (28 oz) can of diced tomatoes (or 2 (14.5-oz) cans), 1 (15-oz) can of rinsed and drained kidney beans, 1 (15-oz) can of rinsed and drained black beans, 1 (8-oz) can of tomato sauce, 1½ cups of chopped onion, 1 cup of defrosted frozen corn, 1 (1-ounce) packet of taco seasoning, 1 tablespoon of cumin, and 1 tablespoon of chili powder.
  • Slow Cook:
    • Cover the Crock-Pot and cook on LOW heat for 9 hours. Total time 9 hours 15 minutes.
  • Serve:
    • Ladle the chili into bowls and serve with optional toppings on the side, allowing everyone to customize their own bowl.
Method 2: Stove-Top Preparation
  • Brown the Meat:
    • In a large nonstick pan, brown 1 pound of extra-lean ground beef or 99% fat-free ground turkey breast over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until crumbled.
    • Drain any excess fat from the browned meat and return the meat to the pan.
  • Soften the Onions:
    • Place 1½ cups of chopped onions in a microwave-safe bowl.
    • Cook in the microwave on high for 4 to 5 minutes, or until softened. 
    • Add the cooked onions to the pan of meat.
  • Combine and Simmer:
    • Stir in 1 (28 oz) can of diced tomatoes (or 2 (14.5-oz) cans), 1 (15-oz) can of rinsed and drained kidney beans, 1 (15-oz) can of rinsed and drained black beans, 1 (8-oz) can of tomato sauce, 1 cup of defrosted frozen corn, 1 (1-ounce) packet of taco seasoning, 1 tablespoon of cumin, and 1 tablespoon of chili powder.
    • Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
    • Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pan, and simmer for 25 minutes, or until the flavors have melded and the chili has thickened slightly.
  • Serve:
    • Ladle the chili into bowls and serve with optional toppings on the side, allowing everyone to customize their own bowl.
Optional Toppings:
  • Chopped tomatoes
  • Shredded reduced-fat cheese or dairy-free cheese
  • Corn tortilla pieces (gluten-free option)
  • Chopped onions or scallions
Tips for Success:
  • Onion Softening: Softening the onions in the microwave speeds up the stove-top cooking process.
  • Freezing: This chili freezes exceptionally well. Allow it to cool completely before freezing in airtight containers.
  • Customizable Toppings: Providing a variety of toppings allows everyone to personalize their bowl.
  • Bean Rinsing: Rinsing and draining canned beans helps to remove excess sodium.

Helpful Tips About this Recipe

Makes 8 cups total (each serving 1 cup)

Shopping Tips
Looking to buy a crock-pot? Here’s one of my favorites: 
Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S 6-Quart Programmable Cook and Carry Oval Slow Cooker, Digital Timer, Stainless Steel
There are some yummy dairy-free cheeses these days. I love Follow Your Heart's Smoked Gouda or Vio Life's Smoked Provolone. It comes in slices. You can easily break it into small pieces..
WW Freestyle Points 1-Blue  (made with extra lean ground beef
WW SmartPoints 6-Green (made with extra lean ground beef
SKINNY FACTS: for 1 cup made with 99% fat-free ground turkey
230 calories, 2g fat, 0g sat.fat, 35g chol, 23g protein, 36g carbs, 9g fiber, 856mg sodium, 5g sugar
SKINNY FACTS: for 1 cup made with extra lean ground beef
245 calories, 4g fat, 1g sat. fat, 30g chol, 21g protein, 36g carbs, 9g fiber, 856g sodium, 5g sugar
FACTS: for Freetyle Points (made with extra lean ground beef
65 calories, 1g sat. fat, 11g protein, 0g sugar

 

Skinny Taco Chili (Crock-pot or Stove-top)

Skinny Taco Chili – Easy and Sensational (Crock-Pot or Cook-Top)

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American, Mexican
Servings 8
Calories 230 kcal

Ingredients
  

Ingredients for Chili:

  • 1 pound extra lean ground beef or 99% fat-free ground turkey breast
  • 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes or 2 (14.5-oz) cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 (15-oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15-oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (8-oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1½ cups onion, chopped
  • 1 cup frozen corn, defrosted
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (1-ounce), I like Lawry’s Taco Seasonings or use your favorite
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder

Ingredients for Topping, Optional:

  • Tomatoes, chopped
  • Reduced-fat cheese, shredded or dairy-free cheese
  • Corn tortillas,  cut into pieces (look for gluten-free)
  • Onions or scallions, chopped

Instructions
 

  • For Crock-pot: Brown ground beef or turkey in a large nonstick pan. Drain any fat. Add browned meat to crock-pot. Mix in tomatoes, beans, tomato sauce, onions, corn, taco seasonings, cumin and chili. Cover and cook on low for 9 hours or on high for 5 hours.
  • For Stove-top: Brown ground beef or turkey in a large nonstick pan. Drain any fat. Return meat to pan. Place onions in a microwave-safe bowl and cook in the microwave for 4 to 5 minutes, until soft. Add cooked onions to the pan of meat. Stir in remaining chili ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for 25 minutes.
  • This chili freezes great. Serve with optional toppings on the side and let everyone customize their own bowl, if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 230kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 23gFat: 2gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 856mgFiber: 9gSugar: 5gBlue Smart Points: 1Green Smart Points: 6Plus Points: 6
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
author avatar
Nancy Fox
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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2 Comments

  1. This recipe is a hit! So easy to make for either cooking method. We like extra beans in our chili so I usually add a can of rinsed and drained chickpeas and more seasoning because we like extra spice. Or, I use the hot taco seasoning from Aldi.

    Thanks for another winner!