Description
This Easy Chili Beans and Rice Recipe is a flavorful and hearty one-pan meal perfect for quick weeknight dinners or meal prepping. Packed with protein-rich beans, aromatic spices, and vibrant vegetables, it delivers a comforting taste of American vegetarian cuisine. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s served over rice and topped with optional garnishes like shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro for added richness and freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil until shimmering.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until they soften and become fragrant.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma, being careful not to burn it.
- Combine beans and tomatoes: Pour in the drained kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Stir to combine evenly.
- Season: Add chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to distribute the spices throughout the mixture.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chili thickens slightly.
- Serve: Spoon the chili beans mixture over warm cooked rice and top with your choice of shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped cilantro if desired.
Notes
- This recipe works well for meal prep and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For extra flavor, use canned chili beans instead of regular beans.
- You can swap kidney or black beans for pinto beans for variety.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeño to increase the spiciness.
