The 5-Ingredient Dinner I Make Every Week for My Family

Weeknights are one of the busiest times of the day for our family. When I was a mom of one, I relished making fun and elaborate meals several nights a week. Since having my second, I've had to be more realistic about my expectations. 

With one picky eater in the family and the stress of the post-work and school/daycare rush, I need quick and easy meals that I know will satisfy everyone. That's why these ground chicken and black bean tacos make a regular appearance. The Tex-Mex delight has been on our weekly rotation for over a year, and it still regularly gets enthusiastic thumbs-up from everyone at the table.

An Affordable, Delicious Weeknight Recipe

This beauty was born out of necessity and resourcefulness, as most good recipes are. I was making simple ground chicken tacos when some friends from out of town stopped by for a surprise hello. Wanting to welcome them in for dinner but not having any more chicken left, I dug around in my pantry for something to make it more substantial. I reached for the black beans, added them to the chicken, and have never looked back! 

Now, I prefer this version over just the chicken. For one thing, it really extends the meal. What used to be dinner and enough leftovers for a couple of additional tacos is now a second full meal the next day. Beans are affordable and nourishing, making them an easy yes in my books, and the leveled-up mixture works seamlessly with tacos (and more). 

How To Make My Ground Chicken and Black Bean Tacos

To make 4 to 8 servings (depending on how you’re serving and if you’re making side dishes), you’ll need:

• 1 tablespoon neutral oil
• 1 pound ground chicken 
• 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, plus more as needed to taste
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• Fresh lime juice to finish, optional
• Tortillas, for serving

Optional toppings, for serving:

• Grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
• Salsa or Pico de Gallo
• Guacamole or avocado
• Shredded lettuce
• Sour cream
• Hot sauce
• Lime wedges

Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and add the oil. When it starts to shimmer, add the ground chicken and cook, stirring regularly and breaking it up into small pieces, until no longer pink, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning and stir until well combined. 

Add the black beans and tomatoes. If the tomatoes and their juices are on the thicker side, fill the tomato can up to about 1/4 full with water and add that as well. Stir to combine. Bring everything to a simmer, cover, and reduce the heat to medium-low, cooking for 10 minutes.

While the chicken cooks, warm or char your tortillas and get your favorite toppings ready. Remove the lid and stir everything. Taste and add more taco seasoning and/or lime juice, if using, to taste. Depending on the brand or recipe of taco seasoning, you may not need any more. Serve hot in tortillas with shredded cheese, salsa, or any other taco fixings of your choice.

Why I Make This Dish Again and Again

It’s a crowd-pleaser! While the taco filling is the star of the show, the real fun lies in the toppings. I like to have a spread of shredded cheese, lettuce or cabbage, pico de gallo or store-bought salsa, guacamole (often store-bought if it's during the week) or sliced avocado, and sour cream. 

To make things even easier, I sometimes make the chicken and bean mixture a day ahead. When I was pregnant with my son, I froze batches of the chicken-only mixture to make postpartum dinners easier. This bean-chicken combo would also freeze well. 

We use the filling for tacos, but it's also great on salads, in burrito bowls, stuffed into bell peppers, loaded onto nachos, tucked inside quesadillas, and even on taco pizza.

3 Easy Substitutions

1. You can easily substitute ground chicken for ground turkey, ground beef, sausage, or plant-based alternatives. Depending on what you use, you may need to adjust the amount of taco seasoning to get the flavor just right for your protein of choice.
2. Pinto beans have a slightly nuttier, earthier flavor compared to black beans, and they work really well in these tacos. When adding them to the chicken, you can mash up some of the beans to get a creamier texture similar to refried beans.
3. Use diced tomatoes with chilies (like the Ro-Tel brand) as an easy way to add heat and a zestier flavor. You may want to reduce the amount of taco seasoning since the diced tomatoes with chilies are already seasoned.