Smoky Chipotle and Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili
"Packed with tender black beans, creamy sweet potatoes, bacon, and a rich chipotle-infused broth, this chili delivers a pleasing blend of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors. For a wine that can stand up to the smokiness of the chipotle peppers and the heartiness of the black beans while complementing the sweetness of the sweet potatoes, Black Box Pinot Noir, with it fruity flavors and earthy cocoa notes, is an ideal choice."
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| bacon slices, cut into half-inch pieces | 6, 1, 1, 2, 1 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1 cup, 1 cup, 1 (28-ounce) can, 1 (14.5-ounce) can, 2 cups, 2, 1 teaspoon, 1/4 teaspoon, 2 tablespoons, 2 tablespoons |
| medium yellow onion, diced | |
| green bell pepper, diced | |
| garlic cloves, minced | |
| ground cumin | |
| smoked paprika | |
| chili powder | |
| Black Box Pinot Noir | |
| chicken or vegetable broth | |
| crushed tomatoes | |
| black beans, rinsed and drained | |
| sweet potato, diced and peeled | |
| chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped | |
| salt | |
| ground black pepper | |
| chopped fresh cilantro | |
| fresh lime juice |
Directions
- Cook the bacon in a Dutch oven over medium-high hear until crisp. Transfer to a paper towels using a slotted spoon. Set aside.
- Discard the bacon grease except for one tablespoon left in the Dutch oven. Reduce heat to medium. Add the onion and bell pepper; cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the cumin, paprika, and chili powder; cook 30 seconds.
- Add the Black Box Pinot Noir; cook until reduced by half. Add the broth, tomatoes, black beans, sweet potato, and chipotle peppers with their sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Cook 20 to 25 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender. Add the salt and pepper.
- When the sweet potatoes are tender, thicken the chili by smashing some of the sweet potatoes against the side of the Dutch oven.
- Stir in the bacon, cilantro, and lime juice.
- Serve with favorite toppings, such as shredded cheddar, sliced avocado, sour cream, and lime wedges.
TIPS:
- The spiciness can be adjusted by adding more or less chili powder and/or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
- This chili can easily be made vegetarian by omitting the bacon, substituting chipotle powder for the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Other vegetables can be added according to preference, such as corn, zucchini, or chopped carrots.