Cisco Kid's Southwestern Chili
A smoky, slow-simmered chili packed with tender beef and aromatic spices, inspired by the vintage allure of Cisco Kid fishing lures. Perfect for chilly evenings with a kick of heat. This southwestern-inspired slow cooker ready in about 60 minutes pairs ground beef, medium diced onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 385 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium diced onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 14.5 oz can canned diced tomatoes
- 15 oz can, drained black beans
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 4 oz can diced green chiles
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook for 5 minutes until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, and 1 tsp smoked paprika, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 4: Add 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes, 15 oz drained black beans, 1 cup chicken broth, and 4 oz diced green chiles. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook on low heat for 30 minutes.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 cup frozen corn and cook uncovered for 10 minutes until corn is tender. Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cisco Kid's Southwestern Chili take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 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 Cisco Kid's Southwestern Chili?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cisco Kid's Southwestern 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 Cisco Kid's Southwestern Chili 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.
What goes well with Cisco Kid's Southwestern Chili?
Southwestern slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better slow cooker dishes though.
