If you love hearty, flavorful meals that combine a little smoky heat with comforting layers, then you’re in for a treat with this Chipotle Chicken Chili with Cheddar Bay Biscuit Topping Recipe. It’s a cozy, crowd-pleasing dish that marries tender shredded chicken and spicy chipotle peppers with sweet corn and black beans, all crowned with golden, cheesy biscuits that soak up every bit of chili goodness. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a weekend gathering, this recipe brings warmth, zest, and irresistible texture to your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Everything you need for this recipe is straightforward and designed to balance flavor, texture, and color perfectly. Each ingredient plays a part in creating a rich, layered chili topped with undeniably delicious biscuits.
- Olive oil: For sautéing the veggies and building flavor at the start.
- Medium onion (diced): Adds a natural sweetness and depth to the chili base.
- Garlic cloves (minced): Provides aromatic warmth that enhances every bite.
- Red and green bell peppers (diced): Bring vibrant color and a crisp, fresh flavor contrast.
- Diced green chilies (4 oz can): Introduce a subtle tang and gentle heat.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo (minced): The smoky, spicy heart of this chili’s personality.
- Ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder: A trio of spices that layer earthy, smoky, and spicy notes.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings to round out the flavors.
- Cooked shredded chicken (2 cups): The protein star of the dish that makes this chili hearty.
- Black beans (15 oz can, drained and rinsed): Add creamy texture and fiber-filled goodness.
- Fire-roasted diced tomatoes (15 oz can): Bring acidity and a subtle, smoky sweetness.
- Frozen corn (1 cup): Sweet bursts that brighten each spoonful.
- Chicken broth (1 1/2 cups): Keeps the chili perfectly moist and flavorful.
- Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix: The quick shortcut to those beloved fluffy, cheesy biscuits.
- Butter (2 tbsp, for brushing): Adds richness and a golden finish to the biscuits.
- Garlic powder (1/2 tsp): Enhances the biscuit topping’s irresistible aroma.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (for biscuit mix): The cheesy melty goodness mixed right into the biscuit dough.
- Chopped cilantro or green onions (optional garnish): Fresh, bright finishing touches that elevate the dish.
How to Make Chipotle Chicken Chili with Cheddar Bay Biscuit Topping Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
Begin by warming olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook until they turn soft and translucent, around 4 minutes. Next, toss in minced garlic, diced red and green bell peppers, diced green chilies, and minced chipotle peppers. Let everything cook together for about 3 minutes so those smoky, spicy scents start to mingle.
Step 2: Add the Spices
Sprinkle in ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Give everything a good stir to evenly coat the sautéed veggies in these warm, flavorful spices. This step is crucial to unlocking the bold character of your chili.
Step 3: Incorporate the Main Ingredients
Now it’s time for the hearty elements. Stir in the shredded chicken, black beans, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, frozen corn, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing all these ingredients to combine and the flavors to deepen over about 10 minutes.
Step 4: Prepare the Cheddar Bay Biscuit Topping
While the chili simmers, prepare the biscuit dough following the instructions on your Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix box. Typically, you’ll mix in water and shredded cheddar cheese to create a cheesy, fluffy biscuit dough that will perfectly complement the chili’s spices.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake
Drop spoonfuls of biscuit dough evenly over the bubbling chili in your skillet. Transfer the entire skillet to your preheated 400°F oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the biscuits rise and become gorgeously golden brown and cooked through.
Step 6: Final Touches
As soon as your biscuits come out of the oven, melt butter and stir in garlic powder, then brush this flavorful mixture over the warm biscuits. If you’d like, sprinkle chopped cilantro or green onions on top for a fresh, vibrant garnish. Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect marriage of spicy chili and tender cheesy biscuits.
How to Serve Chipotle Chicken Chili with Cheddar Bay Biscuit Topping Recipe
Garnishes
The final touches bring your Chipotle Chicken Chili with Cheddar Bay Biscuit Topping Recipe to life. Brighten up your bowl with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro or green onions for freshness. A dollop of sour cream or a bit of sliced avocado can add creamy coolness that plays beautifully with the chili’s spice.
Side Dishes
While the chili with cheesy biscuits stands strong on its own, consider pairing it with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables to balance the richness. A crisp coleslaw or a side of tangy pickled jalapeños can add an exciting crunch and refreshing contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
This Chipotle Chicken Chili with Cheddar Bay Biscuit Topping Recipe shines in a rustic oven-safe skillet, making for a gorgeous presentation right from stove to table. For a casual gathering, serve it in individual ramekins topped with mini biscuits. Or, transform leftovers into muffin tin “chili bites” topped with biscuit dough for a fun finger food twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Allow the chili with biscuit topping to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The biscuits may soften a bit but the chili flavors will intensify and deepen overnight.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the chili and the biscuit topping separately to maintain texture. Place the chili in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty zip bag for up to 3 months. You can prepare biscuit dough from the mix fresh when ready to enjoy again.
Reheating
Reheat leftover chili gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until steaming hot. If biscuits have softened, lightly toast them in the oven or toaster oven to bring back some crispness before serving atop the reheated chili.
FAQs
Can I make this Chipotle Chicken Chili with Cheddar Bay Biscuit Topping Recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Substitute the chicken with extra beans or a plant-based protein and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The smoky chipotle and spices will still deliver plenty of flavor.
How spicy is this chili?
The chipotle peppers provide a medium level of heat with smoky depth. You can adjust the amount of chipotle to suit your heat preference or replace with milder chilies if desired.
Can I use homemade biscuits for the topping?
Definitely! If you prefer homemade biscuits, use your favorite cheddar biscuit recipe. Just make sure the dough is firm enough to drop over the chili and bake evenly.
Is it necessary to use an oven-safe skillet?
If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, simply transfer the cooked chili to a baking dish before adding the biscuit topping. Then bake in the oven as instructed.
What can I serve with this chili for a bigger meal?
Besides the biscuit topping, sides like corn on the cob, grilled veggies, or a simple salad round out a filling meal beautifully.
Final Thoughts
This Chipotle Chicken Chili with Cheddar Bay Biscuit Topping Recipe is a true comfort food champion. Its vibrant flavors, cozy texture combos, and ease of preparation make it a fantastic go-to for feeding loved ones any time of the year. Trust me, once you try this one, it will quickly become a favorite in your recipe rotation, too. So grab that skillet, dig in, and savor every bite of this wonderfully warming dish!
Print
Chipotle Chicken Chili with Cheddar Bay Biscuit Topping Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Chipotle Chicken Chili with Cheddar Bay Biscuit Topping is a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal that combines smoky chipotle peppers, tender shredded chicken, and a medley of vegetables, all simmered together and topped with cheesy, golden-brown biscuits. Perfect for a comforting dinner, this dish balances spicy heat with savory warmth and a satisfying biscuit crust.
Ingredients
Chili Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
- 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo, minced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
Cheddar Bay Biscuit Topping
- 1 box Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix
- Water as required by biscuit mix (approximately 1/2 cup)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter (for brushing on biscuits)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Garnish (optional)
- Chopped cilantro or green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes.
- Add aromatics and vegetables: Stir in the minced garlic, diced red and green bell peppers, diced green chilies, and minced chipotle peppers. Continue cooking for about 3 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and the flavors to meld.
- Spice it up: Add ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper to the vegetables. Stir well to evenly coat everything in the spices, enhancing the chili’s depth of flavor.
- Combine main ingredients: Stir in the cooked shredded chicken, black beans, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, frozen corn, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let cook for 10 minutes to marry the flavors and slightly thicken the chili.
- Prepare biscuit topping: While the chili simmers, prepare the Cheddar Bay Biscuit dough following the package instructions. This typically involves mixing the biscuit mix with required water (about 1/2 cup) and folding in 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese for extra cheesy flavor.
- Assemble for baking: Drop spoonfuls of the prepared biscuit dough evenly over the surface of the simmered chili in the skillet. This forms a biscuit topping layer over the chili.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the biscuits turn golden brown and are cooked through completely.
- Finish the dish: While the biscuits bake, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter and mix in 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Once the biscuits are out of the oven, brush this garlic butter mixture over the hot biscuits for added flavor and shine.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped cilantro or green onions if desired and serve the chili warm, enjoying the combination of spicy chili and cheesy biscuit topping.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken as a quick shortcut to save prep time while maintaining great flavor.
- Adjust the amount of chipotle peppers to suit your preferred heat level, making the chili milder or spicier.
- If you do not have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the chili to a baking dish before adding the biscuit dough and baking.
