Spiced Tex-Mex Chicken and Black Bean Skillet

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-15 · Updated 2026-05-15

A hearty skillet meal featuring tender chicken thighs simmered with black beans and smoky chipotle peppers, served with a vibrant tomato base. This Tex-Mex-inspired chicken recipe (gluten free), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, canned black beans, diced tomatoes 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 rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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 boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned black beans
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 peppers, finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 medium chopped yellow onion
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 medium chopped yellow onion and 3 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces, sprinkle with 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is browned and cooked through.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes and 2 finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
4. Step 4: Add 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans to the skillet and cook for another 3 minutes until heated through.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the dish before serving.