Spicy Chili

A Brennan Chicks Favorite for Food & Fellowship

Every Sunday after church, while the kids race excitedly around the fellowship hall and the aroma of good food fills the air, there’s one dish everybody knows they can count on: Spicy Chili.

What started as a simple chili has become a Food & Fellowship tradition — so loved that I get requests for it every single week. And honestly? It’s never exactly the same. I tweak the heat, adjust the spice, and taste as I go. Yet somehow, it always disappears. Leftovers are a rarity!

This chili is warm, hearty, and meant to be shared — the perfect recipe for feeding a church family.

🔥 Why Everyone Loves It

• Feeds a crowd without stress or fuss

• Can be mild… or fiery (depending on my mood 😄)

• Simple ingredients but big flavor

• Comfort food after a morning of worship and fellowship

🥘 Ingredients

(This is the base recipe — tweak as desired!)

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 tbsp olive oil (for browning the meat)

• 1 onion, diced

• 1 bell pepper, diced

• 1 can Rotel Mild

• 1 can Rotel Hot

• 1 can crushed tomatoes

• 2 cans chili beans

• 1/4 cup chili seasoning

• 1 can V8 juice

• 1 Tbls cinnamon

• 1–2 drops doTERRA Cinnamon Bark — this is the secret warmth and depth everyone notices

• Optional heat boosters:

  • Cayenne

  • Crushed red pepper

  • Jalapeños | Habaneros

👩‍🍳 How Katie & I Make It

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot and brown the meat.

2. Add the diced onion and pepper; sauté until softened.

3. Stir in tomatoes, sauce, and beans.

4. Add chili seasoning and then adjust the heat to taste.

5. Add 1–2 drops Cinnamon Bark oil — trust me, this is where the magic happens.

6. Simmer to let the flavors blend while Katie taste-tests every step.

   
   

❤️ A Recipe Rooted in Community

There’s something truly special about feeding people after church. Every Sunday, we gather as one family — sharing food, stories, laughter, and life. This chili has somehow become part of that weekly rhythm.

I love seeing:

• The youth running back for seconds

• The men insisting “it’s not that spicy” (while wiping sweat)

• The kids asking if it's “extra yummy”

• The ladies handing me their bowls, asking for just a little more - as long as someone brought cheese or smoked cream cheese to cut the heat!

It’s more than chili — it’s fellowship.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• Shredded cheese

• Tortilla chips

• Sour cream

• Cornbread

• And plenty of water for those who brave the spicy version 😄

📽️ Watch the Video

🎥 “Spicy Chili with Katie” — Cooking with The Brennan Chicks

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