Chipotle-Cocoa Chili with Sweet Potato

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A smoky, deeply flavorful vegetarian chili with a hint of chocolate, featuring tender sweet potatoes and a rich, complex sauce. This mexican-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes turns medium (2 cups, diced) sweet potatoes, (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans, (14 oz) diced tomatoes 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 240 calories and feeds 6, 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.

★ 3.8 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 240 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft and translucent, stirring occasionally.
  2. Step 2: Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in diced sweet potatoes, black beans, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, minced chipotle peppers, cocoa powder, and cumin.
  3. Step 3: Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender and flavors meld.
  4. Step 4: Uncover and simmer for 5 more minutes to thicken. Taste and adjust salt if needed before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Chipotle-Cocoa Chili with Sweet Potato take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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-Cocoa Chili with Sweet Potato?

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-Cocoa Chili with Sweet Potato?

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-Cocoa Chili with Sweet Potato for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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-Cocoa Chili with Sweet Potato vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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