Spicy Mexican Chili with Chicken Nugget Dumplings

Warm up your dinner table with this bold and comforting Spicy Mexican Chili with Chicken Nugget Dumplings—a creative twist on a classic favorite. This vibrant chili is packed with smoky spices like cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and a hint of cayenne, perfectly balanced by rich tomatoes, hearty black and kidney beans, and a savory broth. But the real star of the show? The fluffy, cheese-infused dumplings made with everyone’s guilty pleasure—crispy chicken nuggets! These bite-sized dumplings soak up the flavorful chili while adding an irresistible texture. Ready in just an hour, this crowd-pleaser is a fun and easy weeknight dinner idea that’s sure to impress. Perfect for fans of spicy comfort food, kid-friendly recipes, and anyone looking to elevate traditional chili with a playful, cheesy twist.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 28 ounces diced tomatoes (canned)
• 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 ounces kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 12 pieces frozen chicken nuggets
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.75 cups milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.

Step 2

Add minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 3

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute.

Step 4

Add the diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, and chicken stock. Stir well and bring to a boil.

Step 5

Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow flavors to meld.

Step 6

While the chili simmers, prepare the chicken nugget dumplings. Preheat the oven and bake the frozen chicken nuggets according to the package instructions, then set aside to cool slightly.

Step 7

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.

Step 8

Gradually add the milk to the dry mixture, stirring until a thick batter forms. Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 9

Cut the cooked chicken nuggets into quarters and gently fold them into the batter.

Step 10

Increase the heat under the chili to medium-low. Using a tablespoon, drop spoonfuls of the chicken nugget dumpling batter onto the surface of the simmering chili.

Step 11

Cover the pot with a lid and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the dumplings are fluffy and cooked through.

Step 12

Serve the chili hot, garnished with freshly chopped cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3980.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3560.4

Total Fat 136.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 41.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 20.9g
Cholesterol 309.1mg	0%
Sodium 6435.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 399.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 70.5g	0%
Total Sugars 52.5g
Protein 197.1g	0%

Vitamin D 109.3IU	0%
Calcium 1750.4mg	0%
Iron 40.0mg	0%
Potassium 5517.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 34.0%

Protein: 21.8%

Carbs: 44.2%