Smoky Chipotle Beef Chili

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-29 · Updated 2026-07-29

A hearty, smoky beef chili built on chipotle peppers, ancho chiles, and slow-simmered beef for a deep, complex heat. This American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs Ground beef (85% lean), Yellow onion, diced, Garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, 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 (85% lean)
• 1 large Yellow onion, diced
• 4 Garlic cloves, minced
• 14 oz Canned diced tomatoes
• 15 oz Canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup Beef broth
• 2 Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
• 2 tbsp Chili powder
• 1 tbsp Ground cumin
• 1 tsp Smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper
• 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 cup (optional) Sour cream
• 1/2 cup (optional) Shredded cheddar cheese

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 large diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and no pink remains.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for 1 minute to toast spices.
4. Step 4: Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 15 oz drained kidney beans, 1 cup beef broth, and 2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Stir well to combine.
5. Step 5: Bring chili to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover partially, and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavors meld.
6. Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve topped with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and optionally with 1/2 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese for richness.