📖 Instructions

1. First, brown the chorizo: In a large skillet over medium heat, remove the chorizo from its casings (if applicable) and crumble it into the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chorizo is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess grease. Don't skip this step—browning the chorizo adds a ton of flavor!
2. Next, prep the veggies: Dice one medium onion and mince 2-3 cloves of garlic. You can use a food processor for this, but I find that dicing by hand gives a better texture. You want small pieces, but not completely mushy.
3. Combine ingredients in the slow cooker: In a 6-quart or larger slow cooker, combine the browned chorizo, diced onion, minced garlic, one can (15 ounces) of black beans (rinsed and drained), one can (15 ounces) of kidney beans (rinsed and drained), one can (15 ounces) of diced tomatoes (undrained), one cup of frozen corn (no need to thaw), one diced bell pepper (any color you like!), one can (4 ounces) of diced green chilies, and 2 cups of chicken broth. If you don't have chicken broth, vegetable broth works too.
4. Add spices: Stir in 2 tablespoons of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (or more, if you like it spicy!), 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Give everything a good stir to make sure the spices are evenly distributed.
5. Cook on low: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The longer it cooks, the more the flavors will meld together. I prefer cooking on low for a richer, more complex flavor.
6. Shred the cheese (Optional): About 30 minutes before serving, shred about one cup of cheddar cheese and stir half of it into the chili. The other half will be for topping.
7. Adjust seasonings: Taste the chili and adjust seasonings as needed. You might want to add more salt, pepper, chili powder, or cumin to suit your taste. Remember, you can always add more, but you can't take it away!
8. Serve and enjoy: Ladle the chili into bowls and top with shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado, and a squeeze of lime juice. Tortilla chips on the side are also a great addition. Get creative with your toppings!