1-Preparing Your Ingredients: Before you dive in, gather all your ingredients to make the process smooth. Start by chopping your onion, garlic, bell peppers, and carrots this is your mise en place, and it only takes about 10 minutes. This step ensures everything is ready when you need it, making your chipotle bean chili slow cooker recipe a breeze.

2-Sautéing the Base: Next, heat the olive oil in your chosen cooking device. For the slow cooker method, use a skillet over medium heat to sauté the onion, garlic, and spices like chili powder, chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, and cayenne pepper for about 5 minutes. This builds flavor right from the start, adapting well for dietary tweaks if you’re aiming for a healthier version.

3-Adding the Vegetables and Paste: Stir in the tomato paste, bell peppers, and carrots once the spices are fragrant. Cook this mix for another few minutes to let the flavors blend. If you’re making a vegetarian chipotle bean chili, this is where you can adjust for low-calorie options by focusing on more veggies.

4-Combining and Cooking: Now, transfer everything to your slow cooker and add 2 cups of vegetable broth, canned diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and all four types of beans: white beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, and black beans. Season with salt and pepper, then cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or high for 4 to 5 hours. For the Instant Pot, sauté first, then pressure cook on high for 10 minutes with a quick release, perfect for busy schedules.

5-Finishing Touches: Once done, check the thickness and add more vegetable broth if needed. For the stove-top method, simmer partially covered for about an hour after combining all ingredients. Finally, serve with optional toppings like yogurt, cheddar cheese, avocado, green onions, or cilantro to customize your healthy chipotle bean chili recipe. This whole process, from prep to plate, highlights the versatility of slow cooker chipotle bean chili for various preferences.