Description
Smoky Chipotle Sweet Potato Chili is a comforting and nutritious vegetarian dish that perfectly balances the smoky heat of chipotle peppers with the natural sweetness of tender sweet potatoes. Packed with wholesome ingredients like black beans, diced tomatoes, and warming spices, this hearty chili is ideal for cozy weeknight dinners or meal prepping for busy weeks. It’s easy to make, budget-friendly, gluten-free, and full of layered flavors that warm you from the inside out.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into bite-sized chunks
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Canned & Packaged Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2–3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Spices
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into bite-sized chunks. Finely chop the onions and mince the garlic. Open and drain canned ingredients such as black beans and diced tomatoes so everything is ready for cooking.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add Spices and Chipotle: Sprinkle in cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Stir well to toast the spices, enhancing their aroma. Add the chopped chipotle peppers along with some adobo sauce to infuse the smoky heat throughout the dish.
- Incorporate Sweet Potatoes and Liquids: Add the diced sweet potatoes, black beans, and canned tomatoes to the pot. Pour in the vegetable broth and stir everything together, ensuring the sweet potatoes are fully submerged for even cooking.
- Simmer Until Tender: Bring the chili to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and the flavors have melded beautifully.
- Adjust Seasonings and Serve: Taste the chili and add salt, pepper, or extra chipotle peppers if desired. Once satisfied with the flavor, turn off the heat and serve as desired.
Notes
- Use fresh chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for authentic smoky flavor—avoid substituting with plain chipotle powder.
- Don’t overcook sweet potatoes; they should be tender but still hold their shape to avoid mushy chili.
- Toast spices before adding liquids to enhance aroma and deepen flavors.
- Allow chili to rest briefly after cooking to let flavors deepen.
- Adjust heat by starting with fewer chipotles and adding more gradually according to your spice tolerance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg