Made more or less together.

You don't make real chili (which I take a long time on; several hours of simmering and tons of spices). Brown the onions and garlic; brown the meat and throw in a couple spices, then add the other ingredients and simmer. I also finished it under the broiler.

So to answer your question more directly -- :)) -- you make a super simple and not spicy chili first and then put everything else in and cook together. The flavors do work well together.