This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
With fall quickly approaching, we start thinking about comforting and satisfying meals to warm our bellies. This Chili and Cornbread Skillet is perfect and so easy because it all cooks in pan!
When the weather turns cooler I start craving easy comfort food in the form of casseroles like Skillet Chicken and Rice Casserole, Dorito Chicken Casserole and this Chili and Cornbread Skillet!
Chili and Cornbread Skillet
I love an excuse to break out my cast iron skillet, and this chili and cornbread recipe is the perfect one. The first time I made it I had just bought my first cast iron skillet and I knew this would be the perfect dish to break it in. Have you used a cast iron skillet? I felt like I was really behind the times because it seemed like everyone had one – and they all had advice and tips on how to use it – it was scary! Season it really well, don’t put this in it, don’t clean it like this…seriously it was nerve wracking because I was afraid I was going to ruin the thing! But after seasoning it really well (a couple of hours in a 250 degree oven with a thin layer of vegetable oil did the trick), and letting it rest overnight, my chili and cornbread skillet was a success.
Chili and Cornbread is comfort food perfected!
- You only need a few simple ingredients from your pantry.
- Everything cooks in one pan for easy clean up.
- Few things go together better than chili and cornbread!
How to Make a Chili and Cornbread Skillet
- Start by cooking ground beef over medium heat in a 12 inch, oven safe skillet. This would also work in a shallow, 4 quart (oven safe) saute pan.
- Add the rest of the chili ingredients – chili beans, diced tomatoes, black beans and corn. While the chili is simmering, preheat the oven to 400 degrees and mix up your cornbread. I just use a box mix, but you could use a homemade version as well if you like. Sometimes I like to throw in a cup of shredded cheddar, but that is completely optional.
- Turn off the heat and drop spoonfuls of cornbread batter evenly over the top of the chili. As you are dropping, gently spread the mixture around so it doesn’t all settle in one spot and you can get an even crust. Depending on the size and depth of your pan, take the batter as close to the edges as possible.
- Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until the cornbread is beautifully golden brown. Check to make sure that the cornbread is cooked through before dividing into bowls and serving. Note – depending on the cornbread mix you choose, you may end up with a really tall cornbread layer.
- Top with sour cream, onions and shredded cheddar if desired.
Serving Suggestions
I usually serve this chili and cornbread skillet with a big green salad. You really don’t need much else since it’s a pretty hearty meal in itself.
What to do with leftovers
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave. Freezing is not recommended.
For more easy one pan meals, try these:
- Chicken Apple Sausage Pasta
- One Pot Beef Stroganoff
- One Pan Taco Mac & Cheese
- One Pan Spicy Lemon Chicken Pasta
- Instant Pot Skyline Chili
- White Chicken Chili Recipe
Chili and Cornbread Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 15 oz can black beans
- 1 15 oz can chili seasoned tomatoes
- 1 15 oz can chili beans
- 1 10 oz can sweet corn
- 1 10 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 15 oz box cornbread mix plus ingredients on the box - egg, milk, oil
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese plus some for garnish, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a 12" oven safe skillet, cook ground beef until no longer pink. Drain.
- To the cooked ground beef, add black beans, tomatoes, chili beans, corn and tomato sauce. If you want an extra kick of spice, add a couple teaspoons of chili powder. Stir together and bring to a low boil. Simmer for ten minutes.
- While the chili is simmering, mix up the cornbread using the box mix plus the ingredients it calls for, such as eggs, milk, and oil or butter. Add the cup of shredded cheddar and gently stir just enough to incorporate.
- Remove chili from heat and drop cornbread batter by spoonfuls over the chili, gently spreading to the edges.
- Bake in a 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes, or until the top is nice and golden brown. Check the cornbread for doneness before dividing into bowls and serving.
