One-Pot Spicy Chipotle Black Bean Chili
A hearty one-pot chili featuring smoky chipotle peppers and tender black beans, perfect for a cozy dinner. This mexican-inspired one pot (vegetarian, gluten free) ready in about 40 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 peppers, chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 3 cups cooked (or 2 cans drained and rinsed) black beans
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp dried oregano; cook for 1 minute until spices release aroma.
- Step 3: Add 3 cups cooked black beans, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices, and 2 cups vegetable broth. Stir well and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 cup corn kernels, season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes until flavors meld and chili thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve hot with lime wedges for squeezing over each bowl.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Spicy Chipotle Black Bean Chili 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-Pot Spicy Chipotle 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 One-Pot Spicy Chipotle 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 One-Pot Spicy Chipotle 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 One-Pot Spicy Chipotle Black Bean Chili vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
