One-Pan Chipotle Corn and Black Bean Chowder
A smoky, creamy chowder with sweet corn, protein-packed black beans, and a kick of chipotle for depth. This mexican-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes turns diced white potatoes, frozen corn, (15 oz), drained black beans 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 390 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
- 2 cups diced white potatoes
- 2 cups frozen corn
- 1 can (15 oz), drained black beans
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced fire-roasted tomatoes
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 1/2 tsp dried cumin
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 4 minutes until softened, stirring frequently.
- Step 2: Add diced potatoes, frozen corn, fire-roasted tomatoes, drained black beans, chicken broth, chipotle peppers in adobo, and dried cumin. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover.
- Step 3: Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
- Step 4: Stir in heavy cream and cook for 5 more minutes until slightly thickened, avoiding boiling.
- Step 5: Stir in fresh cilantro, taste for seasoning, and adjust salt if needed. Serve hot with extra cilantro.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Chipotle Corn and Black Bean Chowder 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 One-Pan Chipotle Corn and Black Bean Chowder?
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 One-Pan Chipotle Corn and Black Bean Chowder?
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 One-Pan Chipotle Corn and Black Bean Chowder 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 One-Pan Chipotle Corn and Black Bean Chowder 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The chipotle kick was just right. Made it for my kids and they devoured it.
- ★★★★★
My family loved this! So easy and flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Perfect one-pan meal. Minimal cleanup, maximum flavor.