Looking for unique chili recipes that will take your chili to the next level? February 22, 2024, is National Chili Day. Don’t settle for traditional chili when you can have incredible flavor combinations — from Coconut Chicken Chili to Pepperoni Pizza Chili. THOR Kitchen has what you need to create it.

There is so much more to a good bowl of chili than just ground beef, kidney beans, tomato sauce, and chili powder. You can create a new and exciting chili with varying ingredients and spices.

Whether you are joining a chili cookoff or just looking for a fun reason to make a hearty, warming batch, the big day is right around the corner.

So, throw on your apron, grab your chili, crank up your professional range or oven, and get cookin’ with one of these unique chili recipes!

Unique Chili Recipes You Will Love

With National Chili Day around the corner (February 22, 2024) and the weather still chilly, it’s the perfect time to cook up a hot bowl of chili.

Here is where you have two choices. You could stick to your chili recipe and make the stuff everyone knows and loves. Or, you could try something new and knock the socks off their taste buds with a unique flavor.

It’s ultimately up to you. But, if you dare to be different, here are a few chili recipes you will not want to overlook.

1. Coconut Chicken Chili

If you love Asian cuisine, then you will not want to miss this chili. It is easy to make and has intense flavors. It will make you ditch the takeout and fire up your range instead. 

There is no tomato-based broth with this recipe like most chilis. Instead, it calls for coconut milk and peanut butter.

As with any Asian-inspired dish, you can expect some veggies and seasonings. This dish includes carrots, celery, green onion, fresh basil, garlic, chili powder, cayenne pepper, ground ginger, and sliced jalapenos. 

It all creates a creamy, fresh, and unique chili. 

2. Harvest Chili

It may not necessarily be harvest season, but now is an excellent time for apples. Why not add them to your chili? Replacing tomatoes and ground beef with apples, butternut squash, and chicken-apple sausage creates an explosive flavor combination. You can’t forget the chili powder, cayenne pepper, sage, and pinto beans.  

This unique spin on chili is perfect anytime. 

3. Vegetarian Green Chili

Sometimes you want a chili you can feel so good about eating. One that will fill you up without bringing you down — and one full of veggies with no meat. The perfect plant-based chili that carnivores will love, too. 

You will find all these fresh ingredients in this dish: 

• Green onions
• Sweet peppers
• Celery
• Edamame
• Green chilies
• Fresh spinach

Made with salsa verde, it is served over a bed of rice with fresh cilantro and chopped avocados — oh yeah! 

4. Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

Something about the combination of flavors in this dish makes it a star. It is perfect for those seeking an alternative to traditional chili with meat — as this chili relies heavily on black beans.

Sweet flavors come from sweet potatoes, sweet peppers, and corn, elevating the spice’s flavors. Add some lime juice for zest, and you’ve got yourself one unique chili you will make repeatedly.

5. Cincinnati Chili

Those living near Cincinnati know there is only one true way to make chili. Perhaps that’s how it got its name. But before you knock this unique Cincinnati Chili off the list, you must try it. Aside from its off-the-wall presentation, you may just be surprised at how incredible it is. 

So, what is Cincinnati Chili?

Well, first things first, this chili is served over a bed of spaghetti with shredded cheese on top. Consider the chili like a spaghetti sauce — but better. Of course, the chili itself isn’t your traditional stuff. It has a few ingredients that may make you go, hmm? Let’s take a look. 

Ground beef, ground pork, kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, chili powder, and onion are all common ingredients in a chili. In Cincinnati Chili, you are also going to find:

• Vinegar
• Baking cocoa (yes, you read it right… cocoa)
• Worcestershire sauce 
• Sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Allspice

Try it! You just may find it to be the best, most unique chili ever. 

6. Smoky Peanut Butter Chili

Peanut butter chili? What? We know these unique chilis are getting more unique as we go. However, we also know that smoky peanut butter chili wouldn’t make the list if it didn’t earn its spot there. 

This recipe is made as if it were a traditional chili with ground beef, green pepper, onions, carrots, garlic, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, green chilies, and seasonings. The one thing missing? Beans. The recipe creator decided to forego the beans and instead use peanut butter.

The dish is topped off with shredded smoked cheddar cheese and chopped peanuts. 

It is a unique flavor combination that comes together quite nicely. Give it a try!

7. Pepperoni Pizza Chili

This award-winning chili is perfect for those picky eaters who say they don’t like chili. Why? Because who doesn’t love pepperoni pizza? It is a combination of both chili and pepperoni pizza. 

Here’s a closer look at what you will find inside. 

Ground beef, Italian sausage, sliced pepperoni, hot chili beans, kidney beans, pizza sauce, salsa, onion, green pepper, garlic, chili powder, salt, pepper, and water. Finally, it is topped with shredded mozzarella cheese that melts to perfection. 

Like we said, pepperoni pizza chili. It’s a winner every time. 

Create Chili and More in Your Kitchen with THOR Kitchen

You can create any of these unique chili recipes when you have the right appliances and ingredients. You will be unstoppable in the kitchen. If you’re serious about cranking the heat in your kitchen, check out our professional gas ranges for the home chef.

THOR Kitchen offers professional, premium, powerful appliances that won’t break the bank. 

Shop today online. Or, find a local retailer.