There is nothing better than a bowl of Chipotle Chili to warm you up on a cold day. Our homemade chili recipe is full of smoky chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, tender ground beef, beans, and tomatoes. This is the perfect balance of spicy, savory, and pure comfort food. We use simple pantry staples, and in under an hour, you have a cozy meal for any day.
For specifics on the recipe, use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.
Jump to:
- Why you'll love this Chipotle Chili Recipe
- Ingredients for the Best Homemade Chili Recipe
- Kitchen Tools to Make the Best Chipotle Beef Chili
- How to Make Chipotle Chili Recipe
- Storing, Make-Ahead, and Freezer Tips for Smoky Beef Chili
- Eileen's Tips for the Best Chipotle Chili
- Variations for Chipotle Chili
- FAQs for making the Best Chili Recipe
- What to serve with Chili
- More Chili Recipes
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
This is one of those recipes I have been making for years. Everyone loves how easy this chili is to make with simple ingredients. Serve with your favorite toppings such as cheddar cheese, sour cream, or a side of cornbread, for a meal everyone will love.
Why you'll love this Chipotle Chili Recipe
- Make Ahead: Chipotle chili is perfect for make-ahead and freezer-friendly meals. Make a double batch and freeze some for another day.
- One Pot: Our easy Chipotle chili is a mouthwatering one-pot meal made with simple ingredients.
- Crowd-Pleasing: This delicious chili is perfect for family parties, potlucks, and game-day eating. Easy to make, affordable, great for a crowd.
Ingredients for the Best Homemade Chili Recipe
- ground beef - I use 80/20 ground beef (minced meat), other ground proteins can be used, such as ground turkey or ground chicken.
- yellow onion
- fresh garlic
- can, diced tomatoes
- tomato sauce
- can, black beans
- can, kidney beans
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce - I use 2 chipotle peppers plus the adobo sauce. If you like a smokier flavor, add one more chipotle pepper.
- Mexican chili, dried oregano, ground cumin - add the spice for flavoring the chili.
- black pepper
- salt
Kitchen Tools to Make the Best Chipotle Beef Chili
- Dutch Oven
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Wooden Spoon
- meat chopper
- can opener
How to Make Chipotle Chili Recipe
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
- Sauté the onions.
- Add the chipotle peppers in adobo, sauté to blend the flavors, and onions become translucent.
- Brown the ground beef until no longer pink, and add the spices.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, and black beans.
- Simmer for 1 ½ hours. Taste for seasoning; if needed, adjust any seasonings. Serve with your favorite toppings.
Storing, Make-Ahead, and Freezer Tips for Smoky Beef Chili
Make-Ahead: Our Chipotle Chili Recipe can be made up to 4 days ahead and kept in a covered, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a pot over medium-low heat until warmed through or in a preheated 350°F/180°C oven until warmed through.
If reheating in the oven, keep covered with aluminum foil while reheating. Also, stir the chili to ensure all the chili gets warm.
Freezer Friendly: store in the freezer using a freezer-safe bag or storage container for up to 3-4 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and reheat over low heat in a saucepan until warmed through.
Eileen's Tips for the Best Chipotle Chili
- Be sure to brown the beef and drain and discard the excess fat. This ensures your chili won't be greasy.
- This recipe calls for low-fat toppings. Full-fat can be used, a personal preference.
- Be sure to simmer the beef chili over low heat and stir occasionally. This will ensure you do not burn the bottom.
Variations for Chipotle Chili
Tips for spices, proteins, and add-ins for Chipotle Chili.
- Protein: Use ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork, or ground sausage - hot or sweet.
- Beans: Use any of your favorite beans or a mix of beans, including garbanzo beans or pinto beans.
- Mexican Chili Powder: You can use Chili Powder, but some of them add in cumin and other spices, which is why I prefer to use Mexican Chili powder. It is pure ground chili powder.
- Spice: Use our Homemade Chili Seasoning for a quick spice blend. Our homemade fajita seasoning is another blend to use for a variety of flavors for the chili.
FAQs for making the Best Chili Recipe
If your chili is too spicy, add honey to the chili. This will add sweetness to balance the heavy spice. Stir in a teaspoon at a time, stir, and taste until you reach the desired seasoning.
If you need to thicken the chili, make a slurry by whisking 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 Tablespoons of cold water.
Stir the slurry into the chili, let it simmer to thicken, about 10 minutes.
Like a great marinara sauce, chili is delicious the second day. I encourage you to prepare it a day ahead.
What to serve with Chili
- Cornbread
- Biscuits
- Arugula Salad
- Tomato Cucumber Salad
- Sour Cream
- Green Onions or diced yellow onions
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- diced onion
- diced avocado
- chopped cilantro or chopped parsley
More Chili Recipes
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Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.
Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card, you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
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Easy Chipotle Chili Recipe
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Equipment Needed:
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion (peeled and diced)
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- ¼ cup chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (chopped) Note 1
- 2 pounds 80/20 ground beef also called minced beef
- 2 teaspoons Mexican chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 28 ounce can, diced tomatoes (drained)
- 14 ounce can, tomato sauce
- 30 ounce can, black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 15 ounce can, kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
Optional Toppings
- low-fat sour cream
- low-fat Mexican cheese
- sliced jalapenos
- chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 large avocado, sliced thin
Instructions
- In a Dutch Oven or large pot over medium heat, add 2 Tablespoons olive oil and let it heat up for about a minute. Add 1 large yellow onion (peeled and diced) and saute until softened and translucent. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and saute for another 7 seconds to bloom the garlic.
- Add in the ¼ cup chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and saute another 5 to 7 seconds to blend the flavors.
- Mix in 2 pounds 80/20 ground beef and allow to the meat to brown with no pink meat. Stir in the spices, 2 teaspoons Mexican chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. and let the flavors blend.
- Add in 28 ounce can, diced tomatoes (drained), 14 ounce can, tomato sauce (drained), 30 ounce can, black beans (drained and rinsed), and 15 ounce can, kidney beans (drained and rinsed) into the ground beef mixture.
- Reduce heat to low, and place the lid on the Dutch oven. Simmer for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Taste for seasoning; if needed, adjust seasonings to your taste.
- Serve in bowls with your favorite toppings:
NOTES
- Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
Christine
I’ve this twice in the past month and both times fantastic! Just the right amount of heat and super flavorful! Easy to make and even better the next day with leftovers. We love it with a dollop of sour cream.
Eileen Murphy Kelly
That is fantastic, Christine. Thank you for letting me know how the recipe works for you. We make this often. It has won many chili cook offs.
Robert Allen
Awesome Award wining Chili Cook off
Eileen Murphy Kelly
Thank you, Robert. So happy you enjoyed the recipe.
BBR
Easy and delicious. I made 3 changes. I added a can of pinto beans because I only had 1 pound of meat. I used chipotle sauce and added the whole can because I bought the wrong kind and I didn’t drain my tomatoes. This turned out great and the whole family loved it.
Eileen xo
I am so happy you enjoyed the chili. Thank you for coming back and letting me know how the recipe worked for you.
Deborah
best ever family loved it will be making only this recipe thanks for sharing
Eileen xo
You made my day, Deborah! Thank you for taking the time to come back and let me know how the recipe worked for you.
Joe S
Best chili recipe I’ve tried - and I had a lot of chili
Eileen xo
Wow Joe, glad you are loving the chili recipe!
Anne Lawton
I will never say no to a spicy bowl of chili and love that this recipe is so easy to follow and thanks for all of the tips !
Eileen xo
Thank you Anne! This is a good chili! My family loves it!
Gina
Wow, we made this for our Sunday March madness game! What a hit, thanks for the recipe! Everyone wants your recipe too! I made it Saturday and the flavors were awesome! We heated it up in the slow cooker and everyone helped themselves.
Eileen xo
Fantastic Gina! Happy you and your family enjoyed the chili! March madness - the games have been awesome! Enjoy! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know how you enjoyed the chili.
Cindy
Awesome recipe! I’ve never used a Dutch oven to make chili and never used chipotle seasoning. Both were a success! And I’m case anyone is wondering - yes! Totally amazing the next day. Even better:)
Eileen xo
That is great Cindy! I am so glad you enjoyed the chili! Dutch ovens are amazing! Chipotle is my favorite! I thank you so much for taking the time to let me know how the recipe worked for you! I hope you enjoy it again and again! xo
Amy
you can't beat a comforting bowl of chilli
Eileen xo
I agree amy!
Noelle Simpson
Such a simple recipe and one-pot recipes are my favorites, especially on a busy night! Saving this for dinner next week 🙂
Eileen xo
Enjoy Noelle! This is a keeper!
Dannii
I love a hearty chipotle chilli. Such a lovely smokey flavour to it.
Eileen xo
Awesome Dannii, this chili does have a great smoky flavor!
jordin
I love one pot meals! They make cooking just that much easier, and this recipe has so many greats flavors this chili would be great as a leftover!
Eileen xo
I agree! Love one pot meals! the flavors blend well!
Adriana
Gotta love a good chili your recipe looks very tasty and easy to make now I am carving chili will have to make some.
Eileen xo
Thank you Adriana! I hope you enjoy the recipe often!
Cara Manual
Looks very delicious, especially if the meal in the daytime.
Looks like I should try to make this, thanks for sharing the recipe. I'm very happy.
Eileen xo
Cara, we actually just had this chili again last night. I made it in the Instant Pot, delicious! I hope you make it soon and let me know when you do.
Kim
This has become our go to chili ! I make a big batch and freeze some for another. Day!
Eileen xo
Absolutely, make a double batch and freeze! Always a great idea!
Platt College
This chipotle chili looks tasty. Have to try this recipe.
Eileen xo
I hope you enjoy the recipe! Let me know how the recipe worked for you
Lisa Rios
My husband loves anything that has to deal with chili and my goodness this sounds like a delicious recipe that he would love right away. With beef being our favorite I would love to try this one during my weekends!
Anita Mckaney
I totally pinned this! Thank you very much. My husband loves chili.
Dina Šoštarec
Mmm, looks so jummy!
Think I'll give it a try... if you promise it's an easy recipe! 🙂
Kari Ann
I love anything with peppers! Thanks for the great recipe and instructions 🙂
Eileen xo
I hope you enjoy the recipe
angie
I am with you with so much going on we do try to cut corners when ever possible. I do get worried about the heat in recipes like this though my taste buds are a bit tamer
come see us at
Laura
Sounds similar to how I make it at home. It's such a yummy dish and I always make sure I have left overs for stuffed sweet potatoes or burritos later in the week.
Teresa Kunberger
Now that looks so good! I must make it. My chili seems a little boring now!
jill conyers
I made a vegetarian chipotle chili this week. It's awesome! Even my kids like it.
Samantha
MMMM this looks and sounds yummy!
katrinajeancarter
My mouth is watering! This will certainly be made in my kitchen. Thanks for this awesome recipe 🙂
Elizabeth O.
Chili is a classic favorite! We all love spicy food at home and it's good to have a chili recipe that would satisfy our love for spicy food. This recipe is a must try, thanks for sharing it with us.
Gwendolyn Mulholland
My family loves chili and with the cooler weather coming, I can't wait to whip up a big batch. I like that this recipe gets a little kick of heat from the chipotles.
Carol Cassara
Chili is one of my husb's fave dinners. I'm making some for him next week and maybe need to use this recipe. The hotter, the better!
Julie Mason
That looks delicious! We don't eat red meat so I would love to try this with ground chicken or turkey.
Eileen xo
Julie, This works great ground chicken or turkey! Enjoy
Steve
Printed! My family loves chili so we'll most likely be making this in the near future as it starts to cool down and settle into fall! Thanks for the recipe! I'll have to let you know how it turns out!
Eileen xo
I am so glad you enjoy the recipe and printed it. I would love to hear how the recipe worked for you