Coastal Chili
A flavorful coastal seafood chili featuring tender scallops, spicy chili and cumin, ripe tomatoes, and bell peppers, perfect for a hearty, comforting meal with a hint of spice.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. oil ⓘ
- 2 garlic cloves, minced ⓘ
- 1 large onion, chopped ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. chili powder ⓘ
- 2 tsp. cumin seed or 1/2 tsp. ground cumin ⓘ
- 1 tsp. dried oregano ⓘ
- 1 tsp. cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper ⓘ
- 4 c. peeled, chopped tomatoes ⓘ
- 4 c. cooked red kidney beans ⓘ
- 2 medium green peppers, chopped
- 2 lb. bay scallops, cut into 1/2 inch pieces ⓘ
- sour cream ⓘ
Instructions
- In a 3-quart microwaveproof casserole, combine oil, garlic, onion, chili powder, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
- Cover with wax paper; cook on High for 3 minutes or until onion is tender.
- Add chopped tomatoes, cooked red kidney beans, and chopped green peppers.
- Cover; cook on High 8 to 10 minutes until mixture is boiling. Stir well.
- Place scallops around the outer rim of the dish.
- Cover with wax paper; cook for 15 minutes.
- Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a milder chili, reduce the cayenne pepper or omit it altogether. You can substitute the bay scallops with shrimp or even firm tofu for a vegetarian option. Adding a splash of lime juice before serving enhances the flavors. If you prefer a thicker consistency, consider mashing some of the kidney beans or adding a small amount of cornmeal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Coastal Chili with a dollop of sour cream on top for extra creaminess. It pairs beautifully with cornbread or tortilla chips for a satisfying crunch. For a complete meal, consider a side salad or steamed vegetables to balance the richness. This dish also works great as a filling for tacos or burritos.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if it thickens too much. This chili also freezes well; just ensure to cool it completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Coastal Chili contains roughly 2879 calories, with 52g protein, 335g carbohydrates, and 156g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), calcium (112% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (111% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this chili spicy?
The spice level can be adjusted based on your preference. The cayenne pepper adds heat, but you can easily reduce or omit it for a milder flavor. Additionally, serving with sour cream can help tone down the spiciness if needed.
Can I make this chili in advance?
Absolutely! Coastal Chili can be made a day ahead. In fact, the flavors tend to meld and improve overnight. Just reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving. This makes it a great option for meal prep or entertaining.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).