Chipotle Chicken With Pintos And Spanish Rice
This Chipotle Chicken with Pintos and Spanish Rice is a bold and flavorful dish that combines the smoky heat of chipotle peppers with the heartiness of pinto beans and tender chicken thighs.
With minimal prep time, this one-pot meal simmers to perfection in the slow cooker, allowing the spices to infuse the chicken and beans while you go about your day.
Served over fluffy Spanish rice and topped with fresh cilantro, it’s a comforting, satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
The combination of chipotle, green chiles, and cumin gives this dish a deep, savory flavor that’s sure to please!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Bold Flavor: The chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and green chiles bring a smoky, spicy kick, while the cumin adds depth and warmth. The flavors meld perfectly during slow cooking, resulting in a rich, savory sauce that coats the chicken and beans.
Easy to Make: With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, this dish is perfect for busy days. You simply layer everything in the slow cooker and let it cook on its own, making it a convenient, hands-off meal.
Tender and Juicy Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are the star of this dish, staying juicy and tender as they slow-cook in the flavorful broth of chipotle, chiles, and chicken gravy mix. No dry chicken here!
Comforting and Hearty: The combination of pinto beans and Spanish rice creates a filling, balanced meal that’s both satisfying and nourishing. It’s perfect for feeding a family or enjoying leftovers the next day.
Customizable: The recipe is easy to adjust to your taste—whether you prefer it spicier by adding more chipotle, or milder with a lighter hand on the seasonings. Plus, a garnish of fresh cilantro adds a refreshing contrast to the rich, smoky flavors.
Key Ingredients:
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Tender, juicy chicken that absorbs all the smoky flavors from the chipotle and chiles.
Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: Adds a rich, smoky heat that gives the dish its bold flavor.
Dry chicken gravy mix: A flavor booster that helps create a savory sauce for the chicken and beans.
Canned green chiles: Provides a mild heat and tangy flavor that complements the chipotle peppers.
Cumin: A warm, earthy spice that enhances the dish’s depth and adds a touch of warmth.
Pinto beans: A hearty, creamy base that soaks up the flavors of the slow-cooked chicken and sauce.
Cilantro: A fresh, zesty garnish that brightens the dish when served.
Chipotle Chicken With Pintos And Spanish Rice
Ingredients
(10 or More) Boneless/Skinless Chicken Thighs
(5) Envelopes of Dry Chicken Gravy (24g each)
(2) Large Chipotle Peppers in Adobe Sauce (340g each)
(5) Cans Chopped or Diced Green Chopped Chile Peppers (113g each)
Cumin – season to taste
Chopped Cilantro, if desired
Instructions:
Place Fully Drained Pinto Beans in Large Pot or Slow Cooker.
Layer Boneless/Skinless Chicken Thighs on top.
Pour Dry Chicken Soup Envelopes all over.
Separate Chipotles as you are placing them all over. Include the Adobe Sauce.
Then, pour chopped or diced green chiles.
Stir occasionally. Approximately 5 hours or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.
Cook a large pot of rice in a separate pot.
Serve Chipotle Chicken with beans over rice in a bowl. Top with fresh Cilantro, if desired.
Notes:
Adjust the Spice Level:
If you prefer a milder dish, you can reduce the amount of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce or use mild green chiles.
Conversely, if you like more heat, you can add additional chipotles or even a chopped jalapeño to the slow cooker.
Slow Cooker or Stovetop:
While this recipe works wonderfully in a slow cooker, you can also cook it on the stovetop.
If using a stovetop, simmer the ingredients in a large pot on low heat for about 2-3 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Stir occasionally to prevent burning, and add a bit of water or broth if needed to keep things moist.
Chicken Gravy Mix:
The dry chicken gravy mix helps create a flavorful base for the sauce.
If you prefer a homemade option, you can substitute it with a blend of chicken bouillon, a bit of cornstarch, and seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley.
However, the gravy mix gives a nice, rich flavor with minimal effort.
Rice Variations:
While the recipe calls for Spanish rice, you can use white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb version.
You can also cook the rice with a little chicken broth instead of water to enhance the flavor.
Make Ahead:
This dish can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
It also freezes well, so you can prepare a large batch and enjoy leftovers later.
Just let the dish cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container for storage.
Garnishes:
For added flavor and freshness, serve the dish with toppings like sour cream, avocado slices, or a squeeze of lime.
These garnishes add a creamy contrast to the smoky, spicy chicken and beans.
Substitute Beans:
If you don’t have pinto beans, you can easily swap them for black beans or kidney beans, depending on your preference.
The cooking time for canned beans is the same, so no need to adjust.
Nutrition Information:
YIELDS: 6 | SERVING SIZE: 1
Calories: 450 kcal | Protein: 35 g | Fat: 20 g | Saturated fat: 5 g | Carbohydrates: 35 g | Dietary Fiber: 8 g | Sugars: 4 g | Cholesterol: 95 mg | Sodium: 900 mg | Potassium: 700 mg
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs for this recipe?
Yes, you can! While chicken thighs add more flavor and tenderness, chicken breasts are a leaner option and will work just as well.
Keep in mind that chicken breasts may cook faster, so check for doneness after 3-4 hours in the slow cooker.
Can I make this recipe without a slow cooker?
Absolutely! You can make this on the stovetop.
Brown the chicken in a large pot or Dutch oven, then add the remaining ingredients and simmer everything for 2-3 hours on low heat, stirring occasionally. Just make sure the chicken is fully cooked and tender before serving.
Can I make this dish spicier?
Yes! If you like more heat, you can add additional chipotle peppers, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or even fresh chopped jalapeños.
Adjust the amount of chipotle and green chiles to your desired spice level.
Be careful though, as the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are already quite smoky and spicy!
Can I use a different type of beans?
Yes, you can substitute pinto beans with other beans like black beans or kidney beans.
Pinto beans are the most common choice for this dish, but feel free to experiment based on your taste preferences.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! This dish is great for meal prepping.
You can prepare it the day before and refrigerate it, or freeze the cooked chicken and beans for up to 3 months.
Just reheat it thoroughly before serving.
If you freeze it, you may want to cook the rice fresh just before serving for the best texture.
Can I make this recipe using frozen chicken thighs?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken thighs, but it’s best to thaw them first for more even cooking.
If you’re using frozen chicken, you may need to increase the cooking time by about 1 hour in the slow cooker.
Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
What kind of rice is best for serving with this dish?
The recipe calls for Spanish rice, but you can use any type of rice you prefer.
White rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice (for a low-carb option) would work well.
If you use brown rice, keep in mind that it may take a little longer to cook than white rice.
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked in the slow cooker?
After about 4-5 hours on high, the chicken should be fully cooked and tender enough to shred with a fork.
You can also check the internal temperature of the chicken, which should be 165°F (74°C).
If it’s not yet tender, cook it for an additional hour and check again.
Can I use other types of peppers in this recipe?
Yes! While this recipe calls for chipotle peppers for a smoky flavor and green chiles for mild heat, you can experiment with different types of peppers.
For example, you can substitute jalapeños for the chipotle peppers if you want more heat but less smokiness.
You can also use Anaheim peppers or Poblano peppers for a milder, more aromatic flavor.
Can I adjust the amount of seasoning in this recipe?
Absolutely! The seasonings in this recipe (cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and others) are flexible.
If you prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce the amount of chili powder and cumin.
If you want a stronger flavor, feel free to add more.
You can also add extra seasoning to taste once the dish is done cooking.