Chipotle Chili

This 30-minute chipotle chili is smoky, hearty, and uses simple pantry staples, making it perfect for busy weeknights. With ground beef, three kinds of beans, and bold spices like chipotle powder and smoked paprika, this easy chipotle chili recipe is full of flavor and easy on your budget.

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I’ve always loved chili, but this chipotle version is easily my favorite. A few years ago, I needed to use up a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, so I added them to my usual chili, and the flavor was incredible. Now I use chipotle powder for convenience, but the smoky depth is still the star of the dish.

When the weather gets cool, this is the meal you’ll want to make over and over. It’s a true one-pot comfort food classic — rich, filling, and ready in just 30 minutes. Serve it with from-scratch yellow cornbread and your favorite toppings for a cozy fall dinner the whole family will love.

Why you’ll love this quick chili recipe

• Ready in 30 minutes
• One pot = fewer dishes
• Made with budget-friendly ingredients
• Family-friendly comfort food
• Rich, smoky flavor

Don’t forget to pin this recipe!

Ingredients for 30-minute chipotle chili

• Butter or olive oil 
• Onion
• Garlic
• Ground beef
• Canned diced tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Black beans
• Great Northern or Navy beans 
• Kidney beans 
• Ground cumin
• Chili powder
• Chipotle powder
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• Cayenne pepper
• Smoked paprika
• Low-sodium beef broth
• Salt
• Pepper

This simple combination of budget-friendly ingredients creates a rich, smoky chipotle chili with deep flavor in just 30 minutes.

Notes

• If you can’t find chipotle powder, canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce will definitely work. You’ll want about 1 tablespoon of diced peppers, which is about 1-2 whole peppers. Just watch out — the sauce will stain your chopping boards!
• You can use normal paprika instead of smoked paprika, but it adds to the overall smoky flavor.
• You can use store-bought or homemade broth, but I recommend homemade bone broth for better taste and more protein, vitamins, and minerals. 

Tools you may need

You don’t need any special equipment for this recipe, just a few basic kitchen tools:

• Large lidded pot or Dutch oven — I use a 5.5-quart Dutch oven for this recipe.
• Knife — I can’t live without this 6-inch Victorinox knife. It stays sharp for a long time but is also easy to sharpen.
• Chopping board
• Garlic press — this one from Amazon is my favorite. It has a built-in cleaner to push out garlic peels!
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups

How to make 30-minute chipotle chili (Step-by-step)

Heat butter or olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion to the pot, and sauté until tender. Then, add ground beef and brown, breaking up any large chunks. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. 

Turn the heat down to low, and add cumin, chili powder, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir this into the meat mixture, and then add the tomato paste, canned beans, diced tomatoes, and beef broth. I like to rinse my beans before adding them to the chili, but it’s not necessary.  Stir to combine all ingredients.

Simmer chili, uncovered, on medium-low heat for 20-25 minutes. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking. If the chili gets too thick, you can loosen it by adding 1/2 cup of water and stirring it through.

Serve the chili hot and add your favorite toppings. We love shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced avocado, and pickled peppers.

What to serve with chipotle chili

Wondering what to serve with chipotle chili? This smoky, hearty dish pairs well with simple sides:

• Homemade yellow cornbread
• Tortilla chips
• Baked potatoes
• Rice or quinoa

Make this 30-minute Fall dish your own

• Make it spicier by adding fermented hot sauce or peppers. My favorite addition is cowboy candy (IYKYK)
• Try different toppings — I enjoy shredded cheddar cheese, but sour cream, plain Greek yogurt, or sliced avocado are also great. Chopped cilantro adds a fresh touch, too.

Frequently asked questions

Can you make this chipotle chili in an Instant Pot?

Short on time? You can easily make this chili in the Instant Pot for an even quicker, hands-off dinner.

Start by turning your Instant Pot to the sauté setting and heating the oil or butter. Add the onion and sauté until soft. Add the ground beef and brown, breaking up any large chunks. 

Next, stir in the minced garlic and seasonings. Add the diced tomatoes, beans, tomato paste, and beef broth, and give it a final stir.

Secure the lid, set the cook time to 20 minutes, and press start. Once the time goes off, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes, then carefully switch the valve to venting to release any remaining pressure.

Can you cook chipotle chili in the slow cooker?

Yes, but I recommend sautéing the meat, onions, and garlic in a separate pan before transferring everything to a 6-quart slow cooker. Then add the rest of the ingredients: seasonings, diced tomatoes, beans, tomato paste, and beef broth. Stir, cover, and set your slow cooker to low for 6-8 hours if you start in the morning. If you need it sooner, set it to high for 3-4 hours.

How do I store and reheat chili?

To store chili, allow it to cool, then transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat with a splash of broth.

This 30-minute chipotle chili is the perfect easy dinner for fall — smoky, filling, and made with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. If you try this recipe and love it, I’d be so grateful if you left a 5-star rating — it really helps my recipes reach more families like yours!