My chili base is a handful of peppers (you can change the spice with this selection). I slice them up and put them in the smoker for an hour or so, then I blend those together with some tomatillos.
For meat I like short rib and bacon. I will get a pan really hot and sear up some short ribs to get color on them. Cook up the bacon.
In a crock pot, I put the chili base, a can or 2 of fire roasted tomatoes, a can or 2 of beans, some onion and garlic, and then seasonings to taste (salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder). Add the short ribs and cook for a few hours. Then add in the bacon.