Johnny Jalapeno's Thieving Bandit Chili

Dive into a bowl of bold, smoky flavors with Johnny Jalapeño's Thieving Bandit Chili—a hearty, crowd-pleasing recipe that brings the perfect balance of spice, savory depth, and just a hint of sweetness. Packed with rich ground beef, spicy chorizo, and a vibrant medley of bell peppers, jalapeños, and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, this one-pot wonder simmers to perfection with bold spices like cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder. The addition of tender black and kidney beans, a touch of brown sugar, and fresh lime juice creates a complex, satisfying blend that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Topped with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and fresh cilantro, this chili is as comforting as it is flavorful. Perfect for game days, family dinners, or anytime you crave a bowl of zesty comfort, this recipe is a must-try for chili lovers everywhere!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:110 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 bell peppers (any color), diced
• 2 jalapeños, seeded and finely diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 pound chorizo sausage, casing removed
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1.5 tablespoons chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 can canned crushed tomatoes (28-ounce can)
• 1 can canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
• 2 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• 0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
• 0.25 cup sour cream (for topping)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion, bell peppers, and jalapeños. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 4

Push the vegetables to one side of the pot and increase the heat to medium-high. Add the ground beef and chorizo sausage to the cleared side. Cook the meat, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Let the spices toast for 1-2 minutes for enhanced flavor.

Step 6

Add the crushed tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, beef broth, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 7

Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover partially with a lid and let it simmer for 60-70 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 8

After simmering, stir in the lime juice and taste for seasoning. Adjust salt, pepper, or spice levels as needed.

Step 9

Serve the chili hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, shredded cheddar cheese, and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2937.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4872.7

Total Fat 329.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 124.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 797.6mg	0%
Sodium 13896.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 214.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 62.1g	0%
Total Sugars 37.9g
Protein 262.6g	0%

Vitamin D 12IU	0%
Calcium 1137.6mg	0%
Iron 41.2mg	0%
Potassium 6978.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.8%

Protein: 21.6%

Carbs: 17.6%