Sautéed Chicken with Smoky Chipotle and Black Beans

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

Sautéed with smoky chipotle peppers and hearty black beans for a flavorful, protein-packed meal. This mexican-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes turns olive oil, drained and rinsed black beans, small, diced yellow onion 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 420 calories and feeds 2, 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: 20 min Serves 2 Mexican cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through and golden brown, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 diced red bell pepper and cook for 2 more minutes until tender-crisp.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 tbsp finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until spices are fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1 cup drained and rinsed black beans and cook for 3 minutes until heated through.
  6. Step 6: Slice the cooked chicken breasts into strips and return them to the skillet. Drizzle with 1 tbsp fresh lime juice and toss everything together for 1 minute to combine flavors.
  7. Step 7: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chicken with Smoky Chipotle and Black Beans take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Sautéed Chicken with Smoky Chipotle and 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 Sautéed Chicken with Smoky Chipotle and 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 Sautéed Chicken with Smoky Chipotle and Black Beans for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Sautéed Chicken with Smoky Chipotle and 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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