Sweet Meets Heat: The Ultimate Chipotle Sweet Potato Chili
Chipotle Spiced Sweet Potato Chili brings a flavorful twist to a classic dish, infusing warmth and excitement into every bite. This chili blends the hearty sweetness of tender sweet potatoes with the smoky, spicy kick of chipotle peppers, creating a perfect balance of flavors that will excite your taste buds.
Sweet potatoes' natural sweetness and vibrant color make them the ideal base for this chili, adding richness and depth. Chipotle peppers bring a bold, smoky flavor with moderate heat, giving the dish a savory complexity that sets it apart from traditional chili recipes.
Tomatoes, black beans, and a mix of aromatic spices like cumin, paprika, and garlic complete the dish, making every spoonful hearty and satisfying. This chili is delicious and packed with nutrition—rich in fiber, vitamins, and plant-based protein, making it a healthy meal choice.
This chipotle spiced sweet potato chili is versatile and easy to make. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner, a casual get-together, or meal prepping for the week ahead. Whether you're a chili pro or new to spicy stews, this recipe will become your favorite. Enjoy it on its own, with cornbread, or topped with your favorite garnishes for an unforgettable meal.
Sweet Potatoes
I believe the only people who don’t like sweet potatoes haven’t given them a fair shot. Maybe they’ve only tried them plain, microwaved poorly, and topped with tasteless fat-free sour cream or, worse, fake butter.
Sweet potatoes also often get a bad rap when it comes to French fries. People have strong opinions on their fries: some prefer thick steak fries for dipping in ketchup or barbecue sauce, while others swear by thin, crispy pommes frites with sea salt or truffle oil. Now, I’m craving French fries.
Sweet potatoes are a versatile, nutritious root vegetable beloved for their natural sweetness and bright orange color. Packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants, sweet potatoes support immune health, gut function, and vision.
Originating from Central and South America, they’ve become a worldwide staple. Their creamy texture and sweetness make them perfect for both savory dishes and desserts. Whether roasted, mashed, or baked, sweet potatoes add flavor and nutritional benefits to any meal.
What makes sweet potatoes truly special is their versatility. Whether in soups, stews, casseroles, or served as a side dish, they pair beautifully with both savory and sweet ingredients, making them a favorite for chefs and home cooks alike.
Chipotle Peppers
Chipotle peppers are smoke-dried jalapeño chilies known for their distinctive smoky flavor and moderate heat. These peppers are a staple in Mexican cuisine, often used to add depth and complexity to various dishes. The name "chipotle" comes from the Nahuatl word "chīlpoctli," meaning "smoked chili."
Typically, chipotles are made from fully ripened red jalapeños, then smoke-dried, giving them their characteristic deep, rich flavor. They are commonly found in adobo sauce, a tangy, slightly sweet marinade made with tomatoes, vinegar, and spices. This combination enhances the peppers' smoky taste and adds a touch of sweetness and acidity.
Chipotle peppers are incredibly versatile and can be used in many recipes, including soups, stews, marinades, and salsas. Their unique flavor profile complements meats, vegetables, and even desserts, making them a popular ingredient for adding a smoky kick to various dishes.
Chipotle Powder
Chipotle pepper powder comes from ground, dried chipotle peppers, which are smoke-dried jalapeño chilies. It captures the rich, smoky flavor and moderate heat of chipotle peppers, making it a versatile ingredient in many dishes. The powder is dark red-brown and has a distinct aroma, blending smokiness with a hint of sweetness.
To make chipotle pepper powder, ripe red jalapeños are smoke-dried over a wood fire. Once dried, the chipotles are ground into a fine powder. This powder adds a smoky, slightly spicy flavor to meats, soups, stews, vegetables, and more.
Chipotle pepper powder is popular in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine. It enhances the flavor of traditional dishes like tacos, chili, and enchiladas. You can also use it in rubs and marinades for grilling, in sauces, or sprinkled on popcorn or roasted nuts for a spicy snack. Its versatility and unique flavor make chipotle pepper powder a must-have in any spice cabinet.
📖 Recipe
Chipotle-Spiced Sweet Potato Chili
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 1 onion medium dice
- 1 pound sweet potatoes peeled and cubed into ½ inch dice
- 2 cloves garlic rough chopped
- 1 tablespoon chili pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 cup dark beer
- 28 ounce can whole tomatoes crushed with their juice
- 2 whole chipotle peppers in adobo sauce chopped
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon red hot sauce or more, if desired
- 15 ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
- 2 ears corn kernels removed or 1½ cups frozen corn
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups tortilla chips crushed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Place sweet potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet or jelly roll pan and toss with one tablespoon of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper as desired and bake for approximately 8-10 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender.
- Heat a deep heavy pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Sauté the onions until lightly caramelized.
- Add the garlic, chili powder, chipotle powder, and cumin, and cook for another minute or until the spices are fragrant. Stir them frequently, so they don’t burn at the bottom of the pan.
- Deglaze the pan with the beer and scrape up any browned bits (these are called fond, and they’re full of flavor) from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the tomatoes, chipotle peppers, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.
- Simmer the chili for about 15-20 minutes or until it thickens slightly. Add the corn, beans, sweet potatoes, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Serve in a bowl topped with crushed tortilla chips, if desired.
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