Chili Corn Chip Pie

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Chili Corn Chip Pie is a fun twist on chili with a handful of corn chips on the bottom and cheddar cheese and sour cream on the top for the ultimate comfort food. This post originally posted in February 2012.
 
A bowl filled with corn chips and chili with a dollop of sour cream on top.
 
Frito Pie, Chili Corn Chip Pie, and Walking Tacos have been pretty popular over the last few years.   I’ve seen them and while I’ve thought about making them I was afraid of the fat and calories.   It just seems like taking chili and adding a bunch of stuff to it.
 
Then I opened up my Cooking Light magazine last month.  Imagine my surprise when I saw a recipe for chili corn chip pie!  While it is not by any means low in fat or calories I felt like it was better for me then many similar recipes.
 
For this recipe you will need:
  • ground beef
  • onion
  • green pepper
  • garlic cloves
  • cumin
  • chili powder
  • salt and pepper
  • tomato paste
  • beef broth
  • diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • corn chips like Fritos
  • cheddar cheese
  • sour cream

To make this chili pie recipe you begin by browning the ground beef in a large skillet.  After draining off the fat you’ll add the onion, green pepper, and garlic and saute them until they have softened.

Pin Image: A bowl of corn chips and chili with a spoon in it, text, a pot filled with chili.

Then all the spices get added in and combined with the beef and vegetables.  Next, add in the tomato paste, beef broth, and diced tomatoes.  Bring it to a boil and then let it simmer until it thickens up.

To serve place the corn chips in the bottom of a bowl.   Scoop the chili on top of the chips.   Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and place a dollop of sour cream on top.

We really enjoyed this meal.  It was easy to make, didn’t have a ton of ingredients, and was a little different from the traditional chili we have.   Plus, the corn chips add a bit of salt and crunch which goes perfectly with this cold weather dish. 

A close up of a spoon holding corn chips and chili with the bowl of chili in the background.

Pro Tips and Substitutions:

  • You can add in any additional spices.   Sometimes I like adding in Arizona Dreaming seasoning from Penzey’s.   Make it to your taste or you can simply add a packet of chili seasoning.
  • Feel free to add in additional vegetables.  More bell peppers, jalapenos, or even black beans would work.  You can put in anything you would put in your normal chili.
  • While corn chips are the best with this recipe you can use tortilla chips if that’s what you have.
A close up of a spoon holding corn chips and chili with the bowl of chili in the background.

Chili Corn Chip Pie

Chili Corn Chip Pie is a fun twist on chili with a handful of corn chips on the bottom and cheddar cheese and sour cream on the top for the ultimate comfort food.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Calories: 535kcal
Author: Hezzi-D

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. lean ground beef
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 green pepper chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 c. beef broth
  • 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
  • 4 oz. corn chips
  • 1/3 c. cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1/4 c. light sour cream

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the ground beef and cook for 5 minutes or until no longer pink.  Drain off the fat and return the pan to the heat.
  • Add the onion and green pepper to the pan and saute for 5 minutes.  Add the garlic and saute 1 minute.  Stir in the cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
  • Stir in the tomato paste, beef broth, 1/3 cup water, and tomatoes.  Bring the mixture to a boil. 
  • Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 20 minutes or until slightly thickened.  Remove from heat.
  • Place 1 oz. corn chips in each bowl.  Top with the chili, 1 tablespoon of cheddar cheese, and 1 tablespoon of sour cream.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 535kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 1542mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g

 

A bowl of Frito corn chips topped with a hearty chili with a spoon next to it.

5 Comments

  1. Corn chips and chili are such a delicious combination and this dish would be a hit in our house for sure!

  2. I’ve been on a Frito binge lately. Something so nostalgic about them. This recipe would be perfect for using them!

    1. Having some friends over for book club and this will be so fun to serve! Everyone can customize the toppings! Fun and tasty!

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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