This post brought to you by McCormick & Company. All opinions are 100% mine.
Easy Homemade Chicken Chili with Black Beans & Corn: A Hearty Family Favorite
Are you constantly searching for dinner recipes that genuinely satisfy everyone at your table? You’re not alone! As a busy home cook, I understand the challenge of finding meals that are both delicious and universally loved by the family. That’s why I’m excited to share one of our absolute go-to recipes: a heartwarming and incredibly flavorful Chicken Chili with Black Beans and Corn. This isn’t just any chili; it’s a dish that brings comfort and joy, especially when my oldest son, a dedicated over-the-road truck driver, returns home after weeks on the road. It’s one of the first meals he requests, a true testament to its irresistible taste and the cherished memories it holds.
Watching my children grow into strong, independent adults is one of life’s greatest rewards. My oldest son, now 21, embodies this perfectly. His journey hasn’t always been easy; he faced numerous challenges and made tough choices along the way. Yet, with incredible persistence and unwavering hard work, he carved out his path and achieved his dreams. Every time I think about his resilience and determination, it brings a proud tear to my eye. Preparing his favorite homemade chili when he visits isn’t just about food; it’s about celebrating his accomplishments and creating a warm, welcoming space where he feels cherished. This chicken chili recipe truly symbolizes that comfort and love.
Many parents can relate to the struggles of getting kids to try new foods. Mine are no different! Mention a new recipe name, and sometimes they’ve already decided they “hate it” before even seeing it. My secret? I often just say “chicken” or “something with ground beef” when they ask, knowing that once the incredible aromas fill the kitchen, their curiosity (and hunger!) will take over. This particular homemade chicken chili recipe with black beans and corn, discovered on McCormick.com, immediately caught my eye. Its vibrant ingredients and the promise of robust flavor made it an instant contender for a family dinner. I had a strong feeling that the rich, savory scent of the McCormick seasonings would have everyone eagerly waiting for dinner, and I was absolutely right! The house filled with an inviting aroma that promised a delicious, comforting meal.
It’s truly a shame that videos don’t come with “smell-o-vision” because if you could experience the incredible aroma that wafted through my home while this chili simmered, you’d be reaching for a bowl right now! Perhaps you caught a glimpse of this delicious creation on Instagram when I shared a short video. The scent alone was enough to make your mouth water, hinting at the depths of flavor in every spoonful. The combination of savory chicken, hearty beans, sweet corn, and a blend of robust spices creates an unforgettable culinary experience.
The secret to this chili’s incredible depth of flavor lies in the quality of the spices. For this recipe, we turn to McCormick, a brand synonymous with bringing authentic, vibrant flavors to home cooking. Their commitment to quality ensures that every pinch and spoonful of spice adds a powerful punch to your dishes. When it comes to chili, the right blend of spices is paramount. McCormick’s selection provides the perfect foundation for a truly exceptional homemade chili. I highly recommend trying this recipe, and to achieve that signature taste, you’ll want to gather these essential McCormick® seasonings: Paprika, Oregano Leaves, Cumin (ground for optimal dispersion), Garlic Powder, and a touch of Crushed Red Pepper for that perfect subtle kick. These spices are carefully chosen to complement each other, building layers of warmth and savory notes that define a truly great chili.
Preparing Your Delicious Chicken Chili
Let’s dive into the simple steps for creating this fantastic chicken chili. You’ll begin by sautéing your core ingredients. In a large skillet, you’ll heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Once shimmering, add your cubed boneless, skinless chicken breasts along with chopped banana peppers and onions. The original McCormick recipe suggests green bell pepper, but I often substitute with banana peppers because my husband can’t have bell peppers. The beauty of chili is its flexibility – any sweet pepper will work beautifully, adding a mild sweetness and vibrant color to the dish. Cook these ingredients over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, for about 6 to 8 minutes. You’re looking for the chicken to become lightly browned, indicating it’s starting to cook through and develop a lovely sear.
While your chicken, peppers, and onions are browning in the skillet, you can efficiently prepare your spice blend. In a small bowl, combine all the McCormick seasonings: paprika, oregano leaves, ground cumin, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper. Mixing them together beforehand ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the chili, preventing clumps and guaranteeing consistent flavor in every bite. This pre-mixing step is a small detail that makes a big difference in the final taste profile of your chili. Once the chicken is no longer pink and the vegetables have softened slightly, it’s time to incorporate this aromatic spice blend.
Continue cooking the mixture until the chicken is thoroughly browned and no longer pink inside. This is a crucial step for both flavor and safety. The browning process adds a rich, caramelized note to the chicken, which enhances the overall taste of the chili. Make sure to stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and to prevent sticking. The aroma at this stage will already be incredibly inviting, a sneak peek of the deliciousness to come.
Now for the incredibly easy part: simply add all the remaining ingredients! This includes your drained and rinsed black beans, Canelli beans (for extra creaminess and protein), undrained diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and frozen corn. Pour everything into the skillet with the cooked chicken and vegetables. Stir it all together thoroughly, ensuring all the flavors are well combined. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 20 minutes. Simmering allows the flavors to meld and deepen, creating that rich, hearty chili taste everyone loves. You can even let it simmer longer for an even more robust flavor profile – the longer it simmers, the more amazing it gets!
And there you have it – a magnificent pot of homemade chicken chili! The vibrant colors, the rich texture, and the incredible aroma all come together to create a dish that’s not just a meal, but an experience. Serve this chili with your favorite toppings: a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese, fresh cilantro, or even a side of warm cornbread. This recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy a wholesome, flavorful meal that’s both easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit with family and friends. It’s perfect for a cozy night in, game day, or any occasion that calls for a comforting and satisfying dish.
YUM!
The McCormick “Homemade in America” Giveaway (Closed)
This section details a past promotional giveaway, offering a glimpse into how we celebrated home cooking with McCormick in the past. While the opportunity to enter has passed, the spirit of “Homemade in America” and the joy of cooking with quality spices continues!
CLOSED
In October 2013, we hosted a fantastic giveaway where readers had the chance to win a McCormick gift set! To enter, participants were asked to share their favorite McCormick spice or a McCormick.com recipe they were eager to try. This campaign highlighted McCormick’s dedication to inspiring home cooks across the country.
How to Enter (Past Information)
To enter this now-closed giveaway, participants were required to be 18 or older, have a U.S. shipping address, and leave a comment on this blog post answering ONE of the following questions:
- What’s your favorite McCormick spice?
- Which McCormick recipe are you interested in trying from McCormick.com?
The entry period for this particular giveaway ended on October 21, 2013. We appreciate everyone who participated in this exciting event!
The Winner!
We’re thrilled to announce that our winner for the McCormick “Homemade in America” giveaway was Carrie, comment #7! Her entry was randomly drawn, and she has since claimed her prize. A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to participate and share their love for McCormick spices!
Chicken Chili with Black Beans & Corn
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup chopped banana peppers
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon McCormick® Paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons McCormick® Oregano Leaves
- 1 teaspoon McCormick® Cumin Ground
- 1 teaspoon McCormick® Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon McCormick® Red Pepper Crushed
- 1 can 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can 15 ounces Canelli beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can 14 1/2 ounces diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen corn
Instructions
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Heat oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken, bell pepper (or banana pepper) and onion; cook and stir 6 to 8 minutes or until chicken is lightly browned.
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Add paprika, oregano, cumin, garlic powder and red pepper; mix well.
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Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 20 minutes.
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.