Flavorful Chili Rice with Beans Recipe: A Comforting Classic

Chili rice with beans revolutionizes ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary adventures.

Hearty spices weave through this comforting dish, creating a symphony of robust flavors that ignite the senses.

Rich protein and tender grains merge in a delightful combination that speaks to both hunger and heart.

Home cooks adore this versatile recipe for its ability to surprise and delight unexpected dinner guests.

Such a meal transcends simple sustenance, becoming a celebration of texture and warmth.

Global influences shine through each carefully crafted bite, promising a journey of taste that feels both familiar and exotic.

You’ll want to savor every spoonful with enthusiasm.

Satisfying Chili Rice with Beans

• Unleash Hearty Comfort: This chili rice delivers a warm, satisfying meal packed with robust flavors and nutritious ingredients that comfort your soul on any day.
• Master Simple Cooking Techniques: The recipe teaches versatile cooking methods like stovetop and pressure cooker bean preparation, rice simmering, and meat browning, making it perfect for home cooks wanting to expand their culinary skills.
• Customize Your Spice Adventure: With flexible chili powder levels and optional jalapeños, this dish allows personal taste adjustments, letting you control the heat and create a personalized flavor profile that matches your spice tolerance.
• Nutrition Powerhouse Meal: Loaded with high protein, substantial fiber, and balanced nutrients, this one-pot wonder provides a complete meal that fuels your body while satisfying your taste buds with delicious, wholesome ingredients.

Essential Ingredients for Chili Rice with Beans

• Ground Beef: Rich, hearty meat that forms the core flavor base of the chili.
• Dry Beans: Protein-packed legumes that provide texture and nutritional depth to the dish.

• Onions, Garlic: Classic flavor builders that create a robust foundation for the chili.
• Chili Powder: Essential spice that delivers warmth and traditional chili character.
• Salt: Crucial for enhancing and balancing overall dish flavors.
• Sugar: Subtle ingredient to counteract tomato acidity and round out taste profile.

• White Rice: Fluffy base grain that complements the hearty chili.
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture to the rice.
• Olive Oil: Healthy cooking fat for sautéing vegetables and meat.
• Tomatoes: Provides acidity and moisture to the chili mixture.
• Jalapeños: Adds optional heat and fresh pepper flavor.
• Parsley, Cilantro: Fresh herbs for bright, final garnish and additional flavor complexity.

How to Cook Chili Rice with Beans Perfectly

Step 1: Prepare Dried Beans

Choose either the stovetop or pressure cooker method to cook your beans.

For stovetop: place beans in a pot, cover with 3 inches of water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 2.5 hours until soft.

For pressure cooker: add beans to a large pot, fill with water up to two-thirds full, and cook for 30 to 35 minutes.

Allow the beans to cool, then strain out any excess water.

Step 2: Cook Flavorful Rice

Add rice to a medium, thick-bottomed pot and pour in water.

Add butter and a pinch of salt, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and cover tightly.

Simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook the onions for about 4 minutes until they turn translucent.

Add garlic and chili powder, then sauté for 1 more minute to bring out the flavors.

Step 4: Brown Meat Perfectly

Turn up the heat and add the meat to the skillet.

Cook without moving for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until browned and fully cooked through.

Step 5: Combine Ingredients

Return the cooked onions and garlic to the pan.

Add tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, and chopped parsley, then season with salt and a small pinch of sugar.

Stir everything together well.

Step 6: Incorporate Beans

Add the strained beans to the skillet mixture.

Adjust seasonings to taste and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes so the flavors blend.

Step 7: Finish and Garnish

Top the dish with fresh cilantro leaves for a bright finish.

Serve over a bed of rice or spoon into warm corn tortillas.

Tips for Making Flavorful Chili Rice with Beans

• Master Bean Softening: Soak dry beans overnight to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility, making them easier to prepare.
• Boost Rice Flavor: Toast rice in butter before adding water to enhance its nutty essence and prevent clumping during cooking.
• Optimize Meat Browning: Use a cast-iron skillet for deeper caramelization and richer flavor development when searing meat.
• Control Spice Levels: Start with less chili powder, then gradually add more to customize heat intensity without overwhelming the dish.
• Enhance Freshness: Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro just before serving to add bright, herbaceous notes and vibrant color to the final presentation.

Storing and Reheating Chili Rice with Beans

• Refrigeration: Store chili rice with beans in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Sealed properly, this dish maintains great flavor for 3-4 days when refrigerated at 40°F or below.
• Freezing: Transfer cooled leftovers into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Properly stored, the meal will remain delicious for up to 3 months without losing significant taste or texture quality.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated portions in microwave using medium power, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly. Alternatively, reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding splash of water to prevent drying. For frozen chili rice, thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating, ensuring food reaches 165°F internal temperature for safe consumption.

Ideal Pairings for Chili Rice with Beans

• Spice Up Your Sips: Pair this hearty chili rice with a crisp Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or Pacifico. The light, refreshing beer cuts through the rich, spicy flavors and cleanses your palate between bites.
• Cool Down the Heat: Complement the dish's spiciness with a zesty margarita made with fresh lime juice and silver tequila. The citrusy, tangy drink balances the chili's warmth and adds a bright, festive touch to your meal.
• Refresh with Salsa: Serve a fresh pico de gallo or chunky salsa on the side to enhance the dish's flavor profile. The raw tomatoes, onions, and cilantro provide a cool, bright contrast to the warm, robust chili rice.
• Wine Lover's Choice: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Zinfandel or Syrah with bold fruit notes. These wines stand up to the robust flavors of the chili rice while offering a sophisticated drinking experience.

Creative Variations of Chili Rice with Beans

• Veggie Chili Rice: Swap meat for plant-based protein like tofu, tempeh, or black beans. Add extra vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, and corn to boost nutrition and flavor.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Increase chili powder and add chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Include smoked paprika and cumin for deeper, more intense southwestern flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Replace traditional chili spices with oregano, basil, and rosemary. Use feta cheese as a topping and mix in kalamata olives for a Mediterranean-inspired version of the dish.
• Coconut Curry Rice: Transform the recipe by adding coconut milk and curry powder. Incorporate turmeric and ginger for an aromatic, slightly different take on the original chili rice.

Chili Rice with Beans Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

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

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Description

Hearty chili rice with beans brings Mexican-inspired comfort to your dinner table. Spicy, warming flavors blend perfectly with fluffy rice and protein-packed beans, creating a satisfying meal that will welcome you home with delicious aromas.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
• 2 cups dry pinto beans or 4 cans pinto beans, drained

Grains and Starches:

• 2 cups uncooked white rice

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 yellow onion, chopped (about 1.5 cups)
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped (about 1 teaspoon)
• 1 jalapeño pepper, cooked and sliced
• 14 ounces (396 grams) crushed or whole peeled tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves

Oils and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare dried beans using a stovetop or pressure cooker method. For stovetop, submerge beans in water 3 inches above the surface, boil, then simmer for 2.5 hours until soft and skins crack. In a pressure cooker, fill pot two-thirds with water and cook beans for 30-35 minutes until tender, then strain.
2. Cook rice in a medium thick-bottomed pot by combining rice, water, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for approximately 15 minutes or according to package instructions.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté diced onions until translucent, approximately 4 minutes.
4. Add minced garlic and chili powder during the final minute of sautéing, then transfer the mixture to a separate bowl.
5. Increase skillet temperature and brown meat thoroughly, allowing 1-2 minutes per side without moving to achieve desired color.
6. Reintroduce sautéed onions and garlic to the pan with browned meat. Adjust spiciness by adding more chili powder if desired.
7. Incorporate diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, and finely chopped parsley. Season with salt and a pinch of sugar to balance tomato acidity. Stir mixture evenly.
8. Add strained cooked beans to the skillet, stirring to combine. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, adjusting seasonings to taste.
9. Just before serving, gently fold in fresh cilantro leaves as a garnish. Serve over fluffy rice or wrapped in warm corn tortillas for a delightful meal experience.

Notes

• Cooking beans requires patience, with stovetop and pressure cooker methods offering flexible preparation techniques.
• Different water-to-rice ratios and cooking times ensure perfectly fluffy rice with rich buttery undertones.
• Sautéing onions and garlic creates a flavor foundation that transforms simple ingredients into a complex, aromatic base.
• Browning meat demands careful attention, allowing each side to develop a delicious caramelized exterior without constant movement.
• Layering spices like chili powder and jalapeños builds depth, while tomatoes and sugar balance the dish’s overall taste profile.
• Final simmering melds ingredients together, allowing flavors to intensify and develop a harmonious, comforting character.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 570 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 80 g
• Fiber: 15 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg