Description
A hearty and flavorful beef and bean chili bowl infused with smoky chipotle and Cajun spices, served over brown rice with a cooling chipotle yogurt topping. This dish balances rich, spicy flavors with a touch of dark chocolate for depth, making it a comforting and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 250g pack extra-lean minced beef
- 1 tbsp chipotle paste, plus extra to serve
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning mix
- 2 x 400g cans mixed bean salad, drained
- 400g can chopped tomatoes
- 1 low-sodium beef stock cube
- 2 squares 70% cocoa dark chocolate
- Small pack coriander, chopped
To Serve
- Cooked brown rice
- Low-fat Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Sauté onion: Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Cook beef: Add the extra-lean minced beef to the pan. Season with a little salt and black pepper. Break up any lumps with a wooden spoon and cook until the beef is fully browned, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add seasoning: Stir in the chipotle paste and Cajun seasoning mix. Cook for another 1 minute to release the spices’ aroma.
- Incorporate beans and tomatoes: Add the drained mixed beans and the can of chopped tomatoes to the pan. Crumble over the low-sodium beef stock cube and stir well. Pour in a can of water (400ml) to loosen the mixture.
- Simmer chili: Reduce the heat to low and let the chili simmer gently for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Finish with chocolate and coriander: Stir in the dark chocolate squares until melted into the chili. Add most of the chopped coriander, saving some for garnish.
- Serve: Spoon the chili over cooked brown rice in bowls. Top with the remaining coriander, a dollop of low-fat Greek yogurt, and an extra drizzle of chipotle paste for added heat.
Notes
- Using extra-lean minced beef keeps the chili lower in fat while maintaining flavor.
- The dark chocolate adds a rich depth and subtle bitterness to the chili — do not skip this step.
- Adjust the chipotle paste quantity to control the heat level according to your preference.
- Leftover chili can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Serve with brown rice to add fiber and sustained energy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Keywords: beef chili, bean chili, chipotle chili, low fat chili, healthy chili recipe, spiced beef chili, chipotle yogurt, easy dinner recipe, brown rice chili bowl
