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Get ready to transform your weeknights with this incredibly easy and delicious Ground Chicken and Black Bean Tacos recipe! Featuring lean ground chicken and hearty black beans, this dish is packed with flavor and comes together in a flash. It’s the perfect, healthy meal solution for busy parents and beginner cooks looking for a satisfying dinner without the fuss.
Why You’ll Love These Ground Chicken and Black Bean Tacos
You’ll quickly fall in love with these vibrant tacos for so many reasons.
- Quick and Easy Preparation: This recipe is designed for speed, perfect for those hectic weeknights.
- Healthy and Satisfying Meal: Lean protein and fiber-rich beans create a balanced, fulfilling dinner.
- Versatile Topping Options: Customize each taco with your favorite fresh toppings and sauces.
- Kid-Friendly, Customizable Flavors: Adjust the spices to suit everyone’s palate, from mild to zesty.
- Budget-Friendly Ingredients: Simple, affordable ingredients make this a smart choice for any grocery budget.
Ingredients
To make this delicious filling for your Ground Chicken and Black Bean Tacos, gather these simple ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/4 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon arrowroot starch
- 1/4 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
For Serving (Suggested Toppings):
- Flour tortillas, warmed
- Shredded lettuce
- Sharp white cheddar cheese
- Sliced avocado
- Pickled onions
- Cilantro
- Pico de gallo
Notes & Substitutions
Feel free to customize your taco filling. You can easily swap ground chicken for lean ground turkey or even ground beef for a different flavor profile. Try pinto beans or kidney beans if you don’t have black beans on hand. Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes and chipotle powder to increase or decrease the spice level to your preference. For a gluten-free option, use corn tortillas and ensure your chicken broth is certified gluten-free. Add other diced vegetables like zucchini or corn for extra goodness.
Equipment
You won’t need much to whip up these amazing tacos!
- A large skillet or pan works best for browning the meat and simmering the filling.
- A sturdy spatula or wooden spoon is essential for stirring.
- Basic measuring cups and spoons ensure accurate seasoning.
- A cutting board and knife are helpful for preparing your vegetables.
Instructions
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Making delicious Ground Chicken and Black Bean Tacos is simple with these easy-to-follow steps.
- Heat Skillet: Place a large skillet on your stovetop and heat it to medium-high. Add the avocado or olive oil, allowing it to shimmer slightly.
- Brown Chicken: Add the ground chicken to the hot skillet. Use your spatula to break up the meat into smaller pieces as it cooks. Stir frequently until the chicken begins to brown and loses its raw pink color.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic, diced onion, and diced yellow bell pepper with the browning chicken. Mix everything together well.
- Cook Veggies: Continue cooking the mixture for 3-5 minutes, or until the onion and bell pepper become tender and slightly softened. The chicken should be fully cooked through.
- Lower Heat: Reduce the heat to a medium setting. This prevents the spices from burning and allows them to bloom gently.
- Add Seasonings: Sprinkle the apple cider vinegar, ground cumin, chili powder, chipotle powder, paprika, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and arrowroot starch over the ground meat and vegetables.
- Cook Spices: Stir all the seasonings into the ground chicken mixture. Cook for just 1 minute, letting the spices become fragrant and toasted. This step truly deepens the flavor.
- Combine Beans & Broth: Pour in the rinsed and drained black beans and the chicken broth. Stir until all ingredients are well combined and coated in the flavorful sauce.
- Simmer Mixture: Let the Ground Chicken and Black Bean Tacos filling simmer gently for a few minutes. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cooks down.
- Remove from Heat: Once the filling has reached your desired consistency, take the skillet off the stove.
- Assemble Tacos: Warm your flour tortillas according to package directions. Spoon a generous amount of the flavorful filling into each tortilla.
- Add Toppings: Garnish your tacos with your favorite toppings, such as shredded lettuce, sharp white cheddar cheese, sliced avocado, pickled onions, cilantro, and pico de gallo.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy your freshly assembled Ground Chicken and Black Bean Tacos right away!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieving the best results for your Ground Chicken and Black Bean Tacos is easy with these simple tips.
- Perfect Browning: Ensure your skillet is hot before adding the chicken for a nice sear and even browning.
- Toast Spices: Don’t skip cooking the spices for a minute; it deepens their flavor considerably.
- Adjust Consistency: If your filling is too thick, add a splash more broth. If it’s too thin, simmer a bit longer.
- Prevent Dry Chicken: Avoid overcooking the chicken. Once it’s no longer pink, it’s done.
- Even Seasoning: Stir the spices thoroughly into the meat mixture to ensure every bite is flavorful.
- Common Mistakes: Overcrowding the pan can steam the chicken instead of browning it; cook in batches if needed.
Serving, Storage, and Variations
Serving Suggestions
Offer a vibrant spread of fresh toppings for your Ground Chicken and Black Bean Tacos like fresh lime wedges, sour cream, or a dollop of guacamole. Serve alongside a simple side of cilantro-lime rice, a crisp green salad, or some tortilla chips and salsa. You can also use hard taco shells or large lettuce cups for a low-carb option.
Storage Tips
Store leftover Ground Chicken and Black Bean Tacos filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm the filling in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through. For longer storage, the filling freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Recipe Variations
Easily adapt your Ground Chicken and Black Bean Tacos to fit any craving! For a spicier kick, add a diced jalapeño with the onions or a dash of hot sauce. Make it vegetarian by swapping chicken for plant-based ground meat or extra beans. You can also serve this versatile filling as a delicious taco salad bowl over greens, or stuffed into bell peppers.
Nutrition
Ground Chicken and Black Bean Tacos offer a fantastic blend of essential nutrients. Lean ground chicken provides high-quality protein, crucial for muscle repair and satiety.
Research highlights that lean ground chicken is a good source of protein, iron, and zinc, supporting overall health and well-being.
Black beans are a powerhouse of fiber, promoting digestive health and keeping you full longer.
A Medical News Today article emphasizes that fiber-rich black beans are beneficial for managing blood pressure and supporting heart health.
Healthy fats from avocado and olive oil contribute to overall well-being. Always use an online nutrition calculator for precise values based on your specific ingredients.
| Component | Per Serving (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 350-450 kcal |
| Protein | 25-30g |
| Fat | 15-20g |
| Carbohydrates | 30-40g |
| Fiber | 8-10g |
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the Ground Chicken and Black Bean Tacos filling up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before assembling your tacos.
How can I make it spicier/milder?
To increase the heat, add more crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper. For a milder version, omit the red pepper flakes and reduce the chipotle powder.
What other beans can I use?
Pinto beans, kidney beans, or even cannellini beans can be substituted for black beans. Ensure they are rinsed and drained before adding.
Can I freeze the taco filling?
Yes, the cooked taco filling freezes well for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
The filling itself is naturally gluten-free. Just make sure to serve it with corn tortillas or lettuce wraps to keep the entire meal gluten-free.
Conclusion
This flavorful Ground Chicken and Black Bean Tacos recipe is truly a weeknight hero, bringing vibrant tastes and satisfying nutrition to your table with minimal effort. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can create an incredibly delicious and healthy meal. Don’t wait to try this easy recipe! Whip up a batch tonight and transform your dinner routine. We’d love to hear your thoughts, so share your comments and reviews below!
Equipment
- Large skillet or pan
- Spatula or Wooden Spoon
- measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp avocado or olive oil
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.5 cup diced onion
- 0.25 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 0.5 tbsp chili powder
- 0.5 tsp chipotle powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 0.25 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp arrowroot starch
- 0.25 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 0.25 cup chicken broth
- flour tortillas, for serving
- shredded lettuce, for garnish
- sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
- sliced avocado
- pickled onions
- fresh cilantro
- pico de gallo
Instructions
- Heat Skillet: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Brown Chicken: Add ground chicken and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink and beginning to brown.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in garlic, onion, and bell pepper. Sauté until softened, about 3–5 minutes.
- Lower Heat: Reduce heat to medium to prevent spices from burning.
- Add Seasonings: Sprinkle in vinegar, cumin, chili powder, chipotle powder, paprika, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and arrowroot. Stir well.
- Cook Spices: Cook for 1 minute to bloom spices and deepen flavor.
- Add Beans & Broth: Stir in black beans and chicken broth until evenly combined.
- Simmer Mixture: Let filling simmer 2–4 minutes until thickened and saucy.
- Remove from Heat: Take skillet off heat once desired consistency is reached.
- Assemble Tacos: Spoon filling into warmed tortillas.
- Add Toppings: Top with cheese, avocado, lettuce, onions, cilantro, and pico de gallo as desired.
- Serve: Enjoy tacos immediately while warm and fresh.
