Chili Cornbread Skillet

User Reviews

4.7

111 reviews
Excellent

Chili Cornbread Skillet

Chili Cornbread Skillet combines a hearty bean and tomato chili base with a golden cornbread topping baked in one pan. The simmered chili, featuring a mix of kidney, pinto, and black beans with mild chili powder and vegetables, offers a thick, savory filling topped with melted cheddar cheese and moist cornbread. This dish brings together contrasting textures: the spicy, chunky chili beneath a slightly sweet, tender cornbread crust, making it suitable for satisfying meals or casual gatherings.

Description

Chili Cornbread Skillet presents a layered combination of spiced chili and a classic cornbread topping all cooked together in an oven-safe skillet. The chili includes a trio of beans, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, tomato paste, sautéed onions, garlic, and jalapeño with mild chili powder, cumin, and oregano to build a well-rounded flavor. After simmering, shredded cheddar cheese is sprinkled atop the chili before pouring a cornmeal-based batter over it. Baking at a high temperature cooks the cornbread until golden and firm, contrasting with the rich chili beneath.

The dish balances savory and slightly sweet elements, with the cheese adding richness and the jalapeño contributing subtle heat if included. Its texture features a crisp-topped cornbread with a moist crumb resting on a thick, hearty chili matrix layered with beans and tomato flavors. This combination makes it a filling one-pan meal, offering convenience and a satisfying comfort-food experience.

This skillet dish can be served directly from the pan, making it convenient for family dinners or casual entertaining. It pairs well with simple sides like a green salad or steamed vegetables to add freshness. Using a mild chili powder keeps the spice approachable, but the heat level can be adjusted by varying the jalapeño or chili powder amounts.

The note about chili powder clarifies the use of a mild blend rather than spicy cayenne, advising gradual addition to suit personal taste. This ensures the chili's flavor stays balanced without overwhelming heat.

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Ingredients

Servings

Chili

  • 1 Tbsp neutral cooking oil $0.04, generic cooking oil
  • 2 cloves garlic $0.16
  • 1 yellow onion $0.32
  • 1 jalapeño $0.15, optional
  • 1 oz. can diced tomatoes $0.89, fire roasted
  • 1 oz. can tomato paste $0.39
  • 3 oz. cans Kidney Beans $2.67
  • 3 oz. cans pinto beans
  • 3 oz. cans black beans
  • 1 Tbsp chili powder $0.30
  • 1 tsp cumin $0.10, ground
  • 1/2 tsp oregano $0.05, dried
  • 1 tsp salt $0.05
  • 1 cup water $0.00
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese $0.85, shredded

Cornbread

  • 1 cup cornmeal $0.24, yellow
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour $0.15
  • 1/4 cup sugar $0.20
  • 4 tsp baking powder $0.24
  • 1/2 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1 cup milk $0.31
  • 1 egg $0.23, large
  • 1/4 cup neutral cooking oil $0.16, generic cooking oil

Instructions

  1. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Slice the jalapeño lengthwise, scrape out the seeds, and then dice the pepper. Add the cooking oil, onion, garlic, and jalapeño to a large 4-quart oven safe skillet. Sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent (about 5 minutes).
  2. Drain the canned beans then add them to the skillet with the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and water. Stir to combine.
  3. Allow the chili to come up to a simmer. Let the chili continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, as you prepare the cornbread topping.
  4. Begin to preheat the oven to 425ºF. In a large bowl, stir together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until very well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and oil. Pour the milk mixture into the bowl with the cornmeal mixture and stir just until everything is moistened.
  5. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over top of the simmering chili. Carefully pour the cornbread batter over the chili and cheese, and spread it around until the surface is evenly covered.
  6. Transfer the skillet to the fully preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown on the surface. To serve, simply scoop the cornbread and chili beneath onto a plate or bowl, and enjoy!

Notes

  • Choose mild chili powder to control the spiciness; add more gradually if needed.
  • Using pre-shredded cheddar cheese can save time, but freshly shredded cheese melts more evenly.
  • The skillet used must be oven-safe to bake the cornbread topping properly.
  • Let the chili simmer gently before adding the cornbread batter for best layering results.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1Serving Calories 696.08kcal (35%) Carbohydrates 96.87g (32%) Protein 27.85g (56%) Fat 22.33g (34%) Sodium 1793.65mg (75%) Fiber 21.28g (85%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 69608 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1Serving
Calories 696.08kcal 35%
Carbohydrates 96.87g 32%
Protein 27.85g 56%
Fat 22.33g 34%
Sodium 1793.65mg 75%
Fiber 21.28g 85%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

4.7

111 reviews
Excellent

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