Chipotle Sweet Potato Chili

This Chipotle Sweet Potato Chili is loaded with veggies, hearty beans and has the perfect blend of sweet and smoky! This comforting meal will surely warm you up!

This recipe was originally posted in November of 2018. I’ve since updated the photos! 

Is it really Winter here in North Carolina? Not really. So far, we haven’t had a single drop of snow. We have also probably had more days in the 60 degree range than we have in the 30 degree range. 

And lo and behold, the groundhog says we will have an early Spring! I guess I should be happy about this but I am so sad about the lack of snow. I love having at least one big snow storm where you are all snuggled up inside. 

However, I do have some requirements for snow days. 

We have to have power, access to Netflix, board games, hot chocolate, wine and of course FOOD. Specifially, comfort food! Like this Chipotle Sweet Potato Chili!

Why I Love Chipotle Sweet Potato Chili (And Why You Will Too!) 

I tell you all this to let you know how comforting chili is. This is straight up comfort in a bowl. It’s warm snuggles underneath your favorite blanket. I think it’s truly love in a bowl.

Did I mention that it’s also one hundred percent vegetarian? Which is odd for me because I usually always love meat in chili – but for this recipe, I didn’t miss it at all! With the combination of the different beans to the chunks of sweet potato – everything in this bowl works perfectly together and you aren’t lacking anything.

This Chipotle Sweet Potato Chili is a cozy bowl of smoky spices, hearty beans and chunky diced sweet potato. The smoky flavors from the chipotle in adobo sauce is so delightful and zippy! It takes the creamy, hearty bowl of chili and elevates it to new heights with the subtle spiciness!

And one of the best things about this chili? It’s a dump everything in a big ol’ pot and let it simmer type of chili. It literally is the most low-maintenance dish you will find. And the longer you let it simmer, the better. The flavors are able to really meld together! 

So let’s get into how to make it! 

Ingredients You Need:

• a sweet potato, diced into medium/large chunks
• light red kidney beans
• dark red kidney beans
• black beans
• tomato paste
• yellow onion, diced
• green pepper, diced
• garlic, minced
• can of petite diced tomatoes with green chiles
• chipotle in adobo sauce
• lots of delicious smoky spices
• all of your favorite chili toppings like sour cream, green onion, tortilla chips etc. 

How to Make Chipotle Sweet Potato Chili:

Begin by dicing your onion, green bell pepper into small pieces. Finely mince your garlic. Throw it all into a large pot with some olive oil and let them cook for a few minutes.

While they’re cooking, dice up your sweet potato. I cut my SP into medium chunks. Add those into your pot and cover the pot as well as another dash of oil and a pinch of salt. Cook for about 5 minutes on medium heat.

Add in your cans of beans – both types of kidney and black beans. Also add in your can of tomatoes. Important note: don’t drain the cans of beans! The liquid is necessary to make that “chili vibe”. 

And yes, I use cans for this recipe. It makes it so easy plus you can get organic/low-sodium cans if you’re worried about the quality of the beans 🙂

Once you add in your cans, add in your tomato paste. Add in your chipotle pepper sauce. In addition to the sauce, mince a whole chipotle pepper and add it in as well as the super delicious spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne and salt and pepper.

Last and final step: LET IT SIMMER. Turn it on low-medium heat and let that baby bubble up where the flavors come together like no other.

No Broth? No problem! Game Changing Step of Chipotle Sweet Potato Chili:

Many chili recipes that you see out there will call for adding additional broth and/or water.

And it’s true – If you’re using beans you made from scratch or fresh tomatoes, you will probably have to add about at least 1 cup of vegetable broth or water if not more!

However, the best thing my mama has ever taught me about chili if you’re using canned beans/tomatoes is to just NOT DRAIN THE CANS that you’re using!

Pour it all into the pot! It creates an extra liquid plus it adds a TON of extra flavor.

Garnishing Chipotle Sweet Potato Chili:

These are a few of my favorite garnishes for this Chipotle Sweet Potato Chili.

• sour cream
• cheese
• jalapeno
• green onion
• tortilla chips

You can sub greek yogurt for the sour cream for a healthy swap. Cheese is a must in my opinion to get it extra cozy and ooey gooey.

 

The jalapenos are there for some extra heat – although I also love using green onions instead. They give it the same crunch as jalapenos, just without the heat.

Speaking of crunch, I love adding tortilla chips onto my chili! They give it a nice salty crunch that is truly unmistakable!

I hope you all will try this Chipotle Sweet Potato Chili! It’s perfect for a chilly Winter day and it really just warms your heart.

Did you like this recipe? Here are a few more you might enjoy: 

Skillet Chili Cornbread Casserole 

Easy Homemade Chili 

One Skillet Taco Chili Mac and Cheese