Southwestern Chicken and Black Bean Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-09 · Updated 2026-05-09

A hearty stew featuring tender chicken thighs, black beans, and regional southwestern spices simmered to create a comforting and flavorful meal. This Mexican-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, olive oil, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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, cut into bite-sized pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ancho chili powder
• 1 can (14.5 oz), undrained diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tbsp, freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent.
2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp ancho chili powder to the pot. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 lb bite-sized chicken thigh pieces to the pot and cook for 5-7 minutes until lightly browned on all sides.
4. Step 4: Pour in 1 can (14.5 oz) undrained diced tomatoes, 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, and 2 cups chicken broth. Stir to combine.
5. Step 5: Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes until chicken is tender and stew thickens slightly.
6. Step 6: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve warm.