Looking for a comforting, easy, and nutritious meal you can set and forget? This Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili is a perfect choice! With a little prep in the morning, your crockpot will handle the rest, giving you a warm, flavorful dinner ready to enjoy by the evening.
This recipe is a great base for a vegetarian chili, but it’s also incredibly versatile if you want to add some protein. I recommend ground chicken, shredded chicken breast, or lean ground bison for a hearty twist. Whether you’re feeding a family or meal-prepping for the week, this chili is sure to satisfy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Convenient: Prep it in the morning, and dinner will be waiting for you.
- Nutritious: Packed with fiber from black beans, vitamins from sweet potatoes, and fresh flavor from cilantro and lime.
- Customizable: Keep it vegetarian or add your favorite lean protein.
- Delicious: A smoky blend of chili powder, cumin, and chipotle chile gives it a rich and bold taste.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium-large sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 4 teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground chipotle chile
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2½ cups water
- 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed
- 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 4 teaspoons lime juice
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions:
- Morning Prep: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced sweet potato, onion, and garlic, and sauté for 5–7 minutes until slightly softened. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, chipotle chile, and salt, cooking for an additional minute to toast the spices.
- Crockpot Time: Transfer the mixture to your slow cooker. Add the water, black beans, and diced tomatoes. Stir to combine.
- Cook: Set your crockpot to low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
- Finish & Serve: Before serving, stir in the lime juice and fresh cilantro. For a protein-packed version, add your pre-cooked meat of choice in the last 30 minutes of cooking to heat through.
- Enjoy: Serve the chili on its own, over rice, or with your favorite toppings like avocado, cheese, or tortilla chips.
This chili is a delicious way to warm up on a busy day, and the leftovers are just as tasty (if not better) the next day. Give it a try and let your crockpot do the work for you!