One-Pan Smoky Chipotle Chicken with Black Beans

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs cooked in a smoky chipotle sauce with black beans, perfect as a hearty and flavorful one-pan meal. This mexican-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes turns bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced, olive oil 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 380 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Season 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, then add to skillet skin-side down. Sear for 5-6 minutes until skin is golden and crispy, then flip and cook 3 minutes on the other side.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken and set aside. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tablespoons minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon ground cumin, cooking for 1 minute to bloom spices.
  5. Step 5: Add 1 can (15 oz) drained black beans and 1 cup chicken broth, stirring to combine.
  6. Step 6: Return chicken thighs to the skillet, skin-side up, nestling them into the sauce. Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  7. Step 7: Remove from oven and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the dish before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pan Smoky Chipotle Chicken with Black Beans take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 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 Smoky Chipotle Chicken with Black Beans?

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 Smoky Chipotle Chicken with Black Beans?

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 Smoky Chipotle Chicken with Black Beans 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.

What goes well with One-Pan Smoky Chipotle Chicken with Black Beans?

Mexican chicken 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.

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