Chipotle Chicken Sausage and Black Bean Chili
Hearty chili combining smoky chipotle chicken sausage with black beans and fire-roasted tomatoes in a rich, spiced tomato broth. This american-inspired soups (gluten free) ready in about 50 minutes turns olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (about 12 oz), sliced into 1/2-inch rounds chicken sausage links
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp chipotle chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned black beans
- 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika to the pot. Cook and stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 4 sliced (1/2-inch) chipotle chicken sausage links and cook for 4-5 minutes until they start to brown.
- Step 4: Add 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes with their juices, and 2 cups chicken broth. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 5: Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Step 6: Ladle chili into bowls and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chipotle Chicken Sausage and Black Bean Chili take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Chipotle Chicken Sausage and Black Bean Chili?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chipotle Chicken Sausage and Black Bean Chili?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chipotle Chicken Sausage and Black Bean Chili for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Chipotle Chicken Sausage and Black Bean Chili gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
