Easy Chili Beans with Rice Recipe: A Cozy Comfort Classic

Chili beans rice upgrades ordinary ingredients into a culinary symphony that dances across your taste buds.

Warm and inviting, this one-pot wonder blends robust seasonings with tender legumes and soft grains.

Each spoonful promises a complex medley of textures and robust flavors that comfort and excite simultaneously.

Mexican-inspired cuisine meets home cooking in this hearty dish that transcends simple meal preparation.

Families and friends gather around steaming bowls, anticipating the rich layers of spice and warmth.

Home cooks appreciate its simplicity and adaptability, allowing personal creativity to shine through ingredient selections.

Nutritious and deeply satisfying, this meal promises to become a cherished staple in your recipe collection.

Why Chili Beans with Rice Always Hits the Spot

• Customize Heat Levels: Control spiciness by adjusting chili powder and jalapeño quantities, making this recipe perfect for every taste bud's comfort zone.
• Quick and Hearty Protein Powerhouse: Packed with 30g protein per serving, this one-pot meal delivers substantial nutrition in under 45 minutes, ideal for busy households.
• Versatile Meal Companion: Pair effortlessly with rice or tortillas, transforming this chili beans recipe into a flexible dinner option that adapts to your mood and mealtime preferences.
• Nutritional Balance Booster: Combines complex carbohydrates from beans and rice with lean protein, providing a well-rounded meal that supports sustained energy and satiety.

Pantry Staples That Pack a Punch

• Dry Beans: Hearty protein source with rich, earthy flavor, preferably pinto or black beans for authentic chili taste.
• White Rice: Fluffy base that absorbs chilis delicious sauce, long-grain varieties work best for separate, non-sticky texture.

• Ground Beef or Turkey: Lean protein that adds rich, meaty depth to the chili, choose 85% or 90% lean for balance.
• Onions: Sweet foundation that builds robust flavor base, yellow or white onions recommended for classic chili profile.
• Garlic: Pungent aromatic that enhances overall taste complexity, fresh cloves provide more intense flavor than pre-minced.

• Chili Powder: Signature spice blend that provides warm, smoky heat to the dish, adjust quantity for personal spice preference.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that amplifies and balances other flavors in the chili.
• Jalapeño: Fresh pepper adding bright, sharp heat and vibrant green color, remove seeds for milder spice.
• Parsley: Fresh herb bringing mild, clean taste and green color for visual appeal.
• Cilantro: Bright, citrusy herb that adds fresh finish and authentic Mexican-inspired flavor.

• Tomatoes: Acidic base that creates rich, slightly tangy sauce, canned or fresh work well.
• Olive Oil: Neutral cooking fat for sautéing vegetables and browning meat.
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture to rice preparation.

A Simple Method for a Hearty Bowl

Step 1: Prepare Beans

If using dry beans, soak overnight. Cook beans using stovetop or pressure cooker until tender. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Cook Perfect Rice

• Rice
• Water
• Butter
• Salt

Add ingredients to pot. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer covered for 15 minutes. Let rice rest off heat for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Heat olive oil in skillet. Sauté onions for 4 minutes. Add garlic and chili powder, cooking 1 more minute. Remove vegetables from pan.

Step 4: Brown Savory Meat

Add meat to skillet. Brown for 1-2 minutes without stirring. Cook until evenly browned on all sides.

Step 5: Build Flavor Profile

• Tomatoes
• Jalapeño
• Parsley
• Salt

Adjust chili powder. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Step 6: Combine And Finish Dish

Add cooked beans to mixture. Simmer and adjust seasoning. Stir in fresh cilantro before serving. Serve over rice or alongside warm tortillas.

Tips for Beans That Are Just Right

• Select the Right Beans: Choose high-quality dry beans like pinto or black beans for authentic, rich flavor and better texture.
• Master Bean Preparation: Soak beans overnight to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility, ensuring softer, more tender beans.
• Control Meat Browning: Use high heat and avoid stirring initially to create a perfect caramelized crust on the meat, locking in delicious flavors.
• Balance Spice Levels: Adjust chili powder gradually, tasting as you go to create a personalized heat profile that suits your preference.
• Enhance Herb Freshness: Add cilantro just before serving to maintain its vibrant color and maximize its bright, zesty flavor profile.

Store Smart for Easy Leftovers

• Refrigerate your chili beans and rice in airtight containers to maintain freshness. Store leftovers within two hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth. Separate the rice and bean mixture to keep each component crisp and appetizing.
• Refrigeration Method: Place cooled chili beans and rice in sealed containers. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Mark containers with the date to track freshness.
• Reheating Method: Warm chili beans in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying. Microwave rice separately, sprinkling a few drops of water to restore moisture. Heat rice in 30-second intervals, fluffing between each interval to ensure even warming.
• Freezing Method: Transfer cooled chili beans and rice to freezer-safe containers.

What Goes Well with Chili and Rice

• Pair with Cool Mexican Cerveza: Grab a crisp, light Mexican beer like Corona or Modelo to balance the spicy, hearty chili beans. The beer's refreshing quality cuts through the rich, bold flavors of the dish.
• Complement with Zesty Margarita: Mix a classic margarita with fresh lime juice, tequila, and a touch of salt. Its citrusy brightness and slight kick enhance the chili's warmth and depth.
• Match with Fresh Avocado Salad: Create a simple side salad with diced avocado, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro. Dress with lime juice and a pinch of salt to provide a cool, creamy contrast to the spicy beans.
• Serve with Tangy Sour Cream Topping: Add a dollop of cool sour cream on top of the chili beans to mellow the heat and provide a creamy texture that balances the dish's intense flavors.

Tasty Takes to Spice It Up

• Vegetarian Bean Bonanza: Replace meat with plant-based protein like crumbled tofu, tempeh, or black beans. Add extra vegetables such as bell peppers and zucchini for robust flavor and nutrition.
• Smoky Southwest Style: Incorporate chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a deeper, smokier taste. Swap regular chili powder with smoked paprika and add cumin for authentic southwestern flair.
• Mediterranean Fusion Feast: Swap jalapeños with roasted red peppers. Add kalamata olives, feta cheese, and swap parsley with fresh oregano. Serve over couscous instead of rice for a Mediterranean-inspired meal.
• Spicy Caribbean Remix: Include coconut milk for creaminess and add scotch bonnet peppers for authentic heat. Mix in Caribbean spices like allspice and thyme. Serve over coconut rice for a tropical experience.

Chili Beans with Rice Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mexican chili beans with rice deliver a hearty, spicy embrace of comfort and flavor. Savory beans simmered with rich spices over fluffy rice create a satisfying meal that brings warmth to your table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
• 2 cups (1 pound) dry pinto beans OR 4 (15-ounce / 425 grams) cans pinto beans, drained

Starches and Vegetables:

• 2 cups uncooked white rice
• 1 yellow onion, chopped (about 1 ½ cups)
• 1 jalapeño pepper (cooked, canned), sliced (or substitute with 1 cup of Pace brand salsa)
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped (about 1 teaspoon)

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 1 (14-ounce / 400 grams) can crushed or whole peeled tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves

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Instructions

1. Prepare dried beans by soaking overnight or using a rapid pressure cooker method, ensuring beans become tender and soft. Drain thoroughly and reserve for later incorporation.
2. Create perfectly fluffy rice by combining grains with water (water to rice), unsalted butter, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring liquid to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat to minimal setting, covering pot tightly. Simmer for 15-18 minutes until liquid absorbs completely.
3. In a large cast-iron skillet, heat extra virgin olive oil over medium temperature. Sauté diced yellow onions until translucent and slightly golden, approximately 3-4 minutes. Introduce minced garlic and ground chili powder, stirring constantly for an additional 45-60 seconds to release aromatic flavors.
4. Increase skillet heat to medium-high and introduce ground beef or turkey. Allow protein to develop rich caramelized edges without excessive stirring, cooking 2-3 minutes until uniformly browned.
5. Reintegrate sautéed onion mixture into skillet with browned protein. Incorporate diced tomatoes, finely chopped jalapeño peppers, fresh chopped parsley, and kosher salt. Adjust chili powder concentration for desired heat level.
6. Gently fold reserved cooked beans into meat mixture, allowing ingredients to meld together. Simmer for 6-8 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent scorching. Taste and fine-tune seasoning as needed.
7. Finish dish by sprinkling fresh chopped cilantro leaves immediately before serving. Present over steamed rice or accompany with warm corn tortillas for a complete meal.

Notes

• Prep beans ahead by soaking overnight to cut down cooking time and ensure tender, creamy texture.
• Timing matters when sautéing onions and garlic, releasing maximum flavor without burning delicate ingredients.
• Choose high-quality ground meat with some fat content for richer, more satisfying chili bean results.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting chili powder and jalapeño quantities based on personal spice preferences.
• Fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley add bright, fresh notes that elevate the entire dish’s complexity.
• Leftover chili beans taste even better the next day as flavors continue to develop and meld together.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 520 kcal
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 750mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 62g
• Fiber: 10g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 50mg