Autumn Harvest Chili Chicken Mac Skillet: Your One-Pan Fall Comfort Feast

Autumn Harvest Chili Chicken Mac Skillet – One-Pan Fall Favorite

Introduction

Nothing says comfort like a hearty, one-pan meal brimming with the rich, earthy flavors of the season. The Autumn Harvest Chili Chicken Mac Skillet delivers the ultimate weeknight dinner experience: it’s warming, filling, and brings together wholesome chicken, pasta, beans, and autumn veggies with a bold chili spice. Ready in under an hour, this skillet is the answer for anyone who loves simplicity and big flavors—no extra pots, no complicated prep, just pure autumn coziness.

Why You’ll Love Autumn Harvest Chili Chicken Mac Skillet

This recipe shines for its clever use of fall staples—think sweet potatoes, corn, and beans combined with tangy tomatoes and lean chicken breast. The chili-spiced sauce bathes every bite, and everything cooks together for less mess and extra depth of flavor. It’s a kid-friendly, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s perfect for meal prep or impromptu gatherings, offering nourishing comfort with every forkful.

Chili-Spiced Goodness in One Pan

By layering simple ingredients in a single skillet, this recipe infuses the macaroni and chicken with peppery, aromatic chili flavor while fall vegetables add bursts of color and sweetness. The result is a dish with just the right amount of heat, balanced by creamy cheese and mellow, seasonal vegetables. No step is wasted, making it quick to pull together even on your busiest weeknights.

Easy, Flavorful Assembly

Cook your chicken until golden, sauté autumn vegetables until just tender, then add the spices and liquids for simmered perfection. The macaroni cooks directly in the skillet, soaking up the chili-infused broth. Finish with cheese and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for depth. Every component comes together seamlessly, delivering a complete meal with minimal clean-up.

Serving Suggestions That Make It Shine

Serve your skillet bubbling hot, with a dollop of sour cream and a scattering of chopped green onions or parsley. Add a slice of crusty bread or a crisp green salad to round out the meal. The leftovers reheat beautifully, making it just as good for lunchboxes and next-day dinners.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 6 hearty servings. Each portion is balanced in protein, fiber, and carbs—the precise amounts will depend on the types of pasta and cheese you select, but on average, expect around 420 calories per serving. It’s a satisfying meal that brings comfort without excess.

Your Autumn Harvest Chili Chicken Mac Skillet (Recap)

One pan, one hour, and a handful of seasonal ingredients—that’s all you need for this crowd-pleasing fall classic. The robust chili spice meets creamy, cheesy noodles and tender autumn vegetables for an unforgettable dinner.

Ingredients

3/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 small sweet potato, peeled and diced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
8 ounces elbow macaroni or shell pasta (whole wheat or regular)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish
Sour cream, for serving (optional)

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate a smart shopping list with every ingredient sorted by store section. Say goodbye to forgotten items and wasted shopping trips—seamless, stress-free meal planning starts today with CookifyAI!

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken and cook until browned on all sides. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, add onion and garlic; sauté until the onion softens, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. Stir in the sweet potato and bell pepper, cooking for another 3 minutes until they begin to soften.
  4. Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, and cinnamon, stirring until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  5. Return the chicken to the skillet along with corn, black beans, diced tomatoes (with juice), and tomato paste. Mix to combine.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Add the uncooked pasta, stirring to cover the noodles in the liquid.
  7. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta and sweet potato are tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  8. Remove the lid and stir in the shredded cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley or green onions and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This one-pan autumn skillet is tailor-made for meal planning and easy prep. With CookifyAI, save and schedule this recipe into your meal calendar for effortless weeknight dinners and automatic, consolidated shopping lists.

Planning Benefits:

  • Automatically tallies quantities across all scheduled recipes, so you buy just what you need.
  • Organizes ingredients by store aisle for fast, clear trips through the grocery store.
  • Reduces food waste by preventing duplicate or excess purchases.
  • Makes meal prep and budgeting far easier week by week.

Pro tip: Plan out all your autumn dinners and CookifyAI will highlight shared ingredients (like chicken, beans, or cheese) so your list is as efficient and streamlined as possible.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Enjoy the cozy, one-pan magic of your Autumn Harvest Chili Chicken Mac Skillet—and let CookifyAI simplify every meal from planning to plate!

Leave a Comment