• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Simply Healthy Family

For the love of food, family and feeling good

  • Recipes
  • Tools & Gadgets
  • How to
    • FAQ
  • Tastes
  • How long is it good for?
  • Food Substitutes
  • About

What Goes Good with Chili? Five Tried-and-Tested Suggestions

Last Updated on June 3, 2022 by Simply Healthy Family - Team

What Goes Good with Chili? Five Tried-and-Tested Suggestions

Simply Healthy Family may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.

For many people around the globe especially those who live in cold regions, chili is the best comfort food. What I like about chili is that it is very versatile. With so many variations, you can eat chili with a lot of foods from cheese and cornbread to even ice cold beer.

I also appreciate that chili can be frozen, unlike other dishes. Cooked chili can be safe to eat when it is frozen. So no matter how much chili you cooked, you don’t have to worry about leftovers.

What is chili?

A bowl of chili con carne on the table

A bowl of chili con carne on the table

Also known as chili con carne, this is a dish that we often associate with the Mexicans. It’s a spicy stew containing meat, chili peppers, tomatoes, and beans. Seasonings also include onions, garlic, and cumin.

There are many stories how it came about, with one mentioning a Spanish nun who wrote the first chili con carne recipe consisting of chili peppers, onions, tomatoes, and venison.

Another story has it that the Canary Islanders introduced it to the people of San Antonio, Texas in the 1700s using local peppers, wild onions, and various meats.

Through the years, Americans have enjoyed chili. One of the most prominent chili lovers is US President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Is chili nutritious?

A bowl of chili con carne and a spoon on the table

A bowl of chili con carne and a spoon on the table

With meat (usually beef) as its base ingredient, chili is definitely a protein-packed dish. A serving of chili has around 15 grams of protein which is already 25% of the required protein intake of an average sedentary man.

When you add beans to it, chili can even be a richer source of protein. Plus, beans has fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

The other base ingredient, chili peppers, is considered by many as a super food. It is rich in antioxidants. It is also a good source of vitamin C as well as carotenoids. It helps relieve inflammation and lower cholesterol.

Best foods to pair with chili

So what goes well with chili? Here is my list of the best foods to pair with chili, in no particular order:

 

Corn chips

Corn chips

Corn chips

There are many corn chips variety that you can choose from but my personal favorite is blue corn chips. You can eat the corn chips after you pour the chili on them. I simply dip the chips in a bowl of chili. I know some people who eat them separately, saying it gives them a salty change of taste.

Pasta

Pasta plate on the table

Pasta plate on the table

In some countries, it is normal for chili to be served on top of spaghetti. Yes, they use the spicy stew just like a pasta sauce.

You can try this with cooked elbow macaroni. Pour the chili over the macaroni and then let it in the refrigerator overnight. This should allow the pasta to absorb all the spices. Serve this the following morning. You can also add frozen corn kernels to make the dish look more appetizing.

 

Salad

a bowl of Salad on the table

a bowl of Salad on the table

Just like corn chips, there are many variations of salad. This means it won’t be hard for you to choose a salad type that goes well with chili. You can start by sprinkling chili on green salads. You will be amazed at how the spicy stew will improve the flavor of the dish.

You can also throw in some diced cheese, sour cream, cilantro and onions to the mix. These ingredients will not only improve the flavor and texture of the salad but also neutralize the spice of chili if the latter is too strong for your taste buds.

Bread

Bread on the table

Bread on the table

I have to agree with the people in the Southwest— chili and cornbread are inseparable. What I like about cornbread is that it doesn’t need any rising time.

But I will also have to say that chili really goes well with any bread whether it’s corn bread or white bread. You can make your own bread or go to your local bakery. Whichever route you decide to go, you can be sure that bread and chili make a very good combination.

 

Desserts

pieces of cake on the table

pieces of cake on the table

Yes, you can enjoy chili with desserts. You can make you dinner perfect by serving brownies with chili. Or why not have a peach cobbler? Perhaps apple pie and ice-cream will also satisfy your taste buds.

If you want to have some Southwestern flair, you can pair chili with sweet corn pudding or empanadas. Even a simple dessert consisting of sliced fruits with cinnamon can taste good with chili.

Conclusion

A bowl of chili con carne rice and a spoon on the table

A bowl of chili con carne rice and a spoon on the table

There is no denying that chili is one of the most versatile dishes around. You can practically pair it with every dish, from main courses to desserts. I even know people who can’t eat chili with beer!

What’s your favorite food to pair with chili? Share it with us by writing in the comments section below. Better yet, share this article on Facebook or Twitter. You’ll be surprised at what your friends pair with chili!

You May Also Like: Santiago’s Green Chili Recipe

Related Posts

What Goes Well With Potato Salad?

What Goes With French Onion Soup

What Goes With French Onion Soup? How To Make A Killer French Onion Soup?

How To Thicken Chili? Learn Six Easy Methods

How To Thicken Chili? Learn Six Simple, Quick and Easy Methods

What To Serve With Paella? Five Great Paella Side Dishes

Make A Quick and Delicious Meal with the Best Canned Chili Products Today

Make A Quick and Delicious Meal with the Best Canned Chili Products Today

What Goes Well With Cornbread? Healthy Sides for Cornbread

santiago green chili recipe

Copycat Santiago’s Green Chili Recipe, but Better

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

The 15 Best Recipes For Bone-In Chicken Breasts

31 Healthy And Nutritious Air Fryer Recipes

25 Easy Leftover Steak Recipes For Midweek Meals

20 Easy To Make Leftover Taco Meat Recipes

27 Juicy And Delicious Air-Fryer Chicken Recipes

Footer

Keep In Touch

  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy & Disclaimer

Disclaimer

All information on this website is intended for entertainment and educational purposes only. It is not a replacement or substitute for professional medical advice and/or treatment. Consult with your own doctor for information and advice on your specific questions.

All wallpapers and backgrounds found here are believed to be in the “public domain”. Most of the images displayed are of unknown origin. We do not intend to infringe any legitimate intellectual right, artistic rights or copyright. If you are the rightful owner of any of the pictures/wallpapers posted here, and you do not want it to be displayed or if you require a suitable credit, then please CONTACT US and we will immediately do whatever is needed either for the image to be removed or provide credit where it is due.

All the content of this site are do not gain any financial benefit from the downloads of any images/wallpaper.

 

We’re an affiliate!

Simplyhealthyfamily.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Additionally, Simplyhealthyfamily.org participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.

We do not specifically market to children under 13.