Skillet Green Chili Cornbread is fluffy cornbread with cheese & green chilies. Unique, healthy twist on the traditional recipe! Weight Watcher friendly- 5 SmartPoints!
I’ve learned over the years that cornbread is a true staple of Southern cuisine. Cornbread is something that was pretty much always on the dinner table once a week growing up. There are very specific meals that must be served with cornbread. Now as an adult, I carry on this tradition and serve cornbread for those meals. My Skillet Green Chili Cornbread is a unique and healthy twist on traditional cornbread. Fluffy cornbread with layers of cheese and green chilies! This is a Weight Watchers friendly recipe and each serving is 5 SmartPoints.
Growing up, I thought that the food that I ate was the same that everyone else ate. Basically, I thought that everyone ate pot roast or chili on Sundays like me. I was probably a little bit sheltered as a child and didn’t meet very many people that were not from Pasadena, Texas (yep that’s my hometown!) until I moved away for college. My husband is from Washington D.C., which is WAY different than Pasadena. He grew up eating a huge variety of cuisines, none of which were what I ate growing up.
A while back I made a stew and told him that I wish I had made cornbread. He didn’t understand why I would eat cornbread with the stew and I was SO CONFUSED. Then he said he didn’t grow up eating cornbread and I remembered how cornbread really is a Southern food. Over the last few years I’ve seen a major influx of Southern style food creep up around the restaurant scene. A few weeks ago, my husband and I went to a restaurant in Downtown Indianapolis, called The Eagle, that specializes in fried chicken and they had a side dish called Spoonbread. It was basically a mini cast iron skillet cornbread that has chunks of corn topped with maple butter. I totally could have eaten the whole thing as my meal!
Cornbread is near and dear to my heart. I remember my mom making cornbread muffins for her goulash (which I have on my list of dishes to recreate) and served with stew. Cornbread is even in our dressing at Thanksgiving, which I must say is the BEST dressing ever. Cornbread serves two purposes really: to taste good and to soak up all the juices you cannot reach with your spoon in stews!
Traditional cornbread can be full of fat and carbs so my take on this Southern staple is a healthy version. Instead of buttermilk, I use 2% milk and Greek yogurt. It might seem odd but it totally works! I also swapped all-purpose flour for white whole wheat flour. I actually prefer to use white whole wheat flour rather than just regular whole wheat flour because it has less of a “nutty” taste. Since I love Mexican flavors, I added canned green chilies and Mexican shredded cheese.
This recipe not only taste delicious but it’s super easy to follow. In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In another bowl, whisk together milk, egg, honey, and Greek yogurt. To the egg mixture add canned green chilies and cheese.
Add the egg mixture to the bowl with the cornmeal and stir to combine.
Coat a small cast iron skillet with a little bit of oil and heat the skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes. I recommend this step because it helps to add a nice crust on the bottom of the cornbread… and I love a good crust!! Pour the batter into the skillet and bake for 25 minutes until golden brown.
Skillet Green Chili Cornbread is a unique and healthy twist on traditional cornbread. Fluffy cornbread with layers of cheese and green chilies! Perfect as a side for soup, stew, chili, and gumbo! Easy to make and delicious. Less than 4 grams of fat and only 5 Weight Watchers SmartPoints per serving!
I hope you enjoy these bites of flavor!

Skillet Green Chili Cornbread
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Yellow Cornmeal
- ½ Cup White Whole Wheat Flour
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ Teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Cup 2% Milk
- 1 Egg
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, Plus 1 Teaspoon divided
- 1 Tablespoon Honey
- ½ Cup Fat Free Plain Greek Yogurt
- 4 Ounce Canned Green Chili Peppers
- ½ Cup Reduced Mexican Shredded Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- In a large bowl, whisk cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, whisk milk, egg, oil, honey, and Greek yogurt.
- To the egg mixture, add green chilies, and cheese.
- Add egg mixture to cornmeal mixture and stir to combine well.
- Coat large cast iron skillet with 1 teaspoon Olive oil.
- Heat skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Pour batter into cast iron skillet.
- Bake for about 25 minutes until top is golden brown.
- Insert toothpick through the center of the cornbread to make sure it comes out clean.
Notes
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60 Comments
Lori | Choosing Wisdom
April 5, 2017 at 1:40 pm So excited to try this!! We lived in Albuquerque for 3 years and fell in love with green chili! Looks awesome!!Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:56 pm Oh I love New Mexico! I hope you try this soon Lori :)Charity
April 5, 2017 at 2:10 pm This looks so good and easy to make. I am gonna have to try them ? Thanks for sharing.Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:57 pm Yes, it's delicious AND super easy! Thanks Charity :)Jess
April 5, 2017 at 4:39 pm This cornbread makes me want to whip up some!Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:57 pm You should Jess :) !! Kristine recently posted...Skillet Green Chili CornbreadTee
April 5, 2017 at 5:15 pm I must try this recipe. Looks yum!Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:58 pm It's so good! Thank you Tee! Kristine recently posted...Skillet Green Chili CornbreadGenelle
April 5, 2017 at 5:27 pm I <3 cornbread! And this one is a healthy choice too! This sounds yummy! My mouths is watering. Definitely going to make this!Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:59 pm It's a great combo... delicious, healthy, and easy to make. Thanks Genelle! Kristine recently posted...Skillet Green Chili CornbreadAshvin Nankoo
April 5, 2017 at 5:38 pm WOW! This is just too delicious. Love the recipe and looks quite simple to follow too! I will definitely give it a go on Easter.Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 5:05 pm Oh yes, it's super easy and so delicious :) Thank you Ashvin!Anna
April 5, 2017 at 5:56 pm I never had a corn bread like this. My mother-in-law make corn bread but I don't think she ever put green chilli with it. Definitely trying this. Anna recently posted...CariocaKristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:54 pm Oh you should totally try it Anna!! It's great with soups and stews.Kenya
April 5, 2017 at 6:15 pm Ouu this looks amazing !Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:54 pm Thank you Kenya!Brittany Ferrell
April 5, 2017 at 6:54 pm We are big cornbread lovers in our house, as my husband's family is from the South. My father-in-law that cornbread should not be sweet as that would make it "corn cake". I think he would love your recipe because it is savory and spicy. I love that you found a way to make cornbread lightened up! I can't wait to try it!Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:54 pm Sometimes I like sweet cornbread and sometimes I like savory cornbread! I need to make a sweet healthy version soon. Thank you Brittany!Natalie @ Obsessive Cooking Disorder
April 5, 2017 at 7:12 pm That's what I use my skillet for - cornbread always! Natalie @ Obsessive Cooking Disorder recently posted...Maple Poached Figs and Granola ParfaitKristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:53 pm Yes, skillet cornbread is the best! Thanks Natalie!Jessica
April 5, 2017 at 7:24 pm I will love to try that but with coconut flour. I have diabetes so is dificulf for me to try new stuff. Looks yummy tho.Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:52 pm Oh I bet the coconut flour would be great! Thanks Jessica!jenny
April 5, 2017 at 7:37 pm love cornbread! this looks amazing :)Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:44 pm Thanks Jenny!!Hailey
April 5, 2017 at 8:42 pm Oh I will have to try this. I'm from Australia and all I knew about cornbread was what I saw on American movies lol. My husband and I recently went on our honeymoon and tried cornbread on the cruise and OMG now I know what all the fuss is about. I loved it.Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:43 pm Haha yes! Once you try it, you will want to make it all the time. Hope you guys had a great honeymoon!! Thanks Hailey :)Adrienne
April 5, 2017 at 8:54 pm Looks yummy! Great tip about the greek yogurtKristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:43 pm Thanks Adrienne!Vanessa
April 5, 2017 at 9:33 pm Zesty! I love cheese!Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:42 pm Me too!! Thanks Vanessa!Christina Shoemaker
April 5, 2017 at 10:16 pm This sounds amazing! I love that you added green chili peppers! I bet that heat makes this to die for!! Christina Shoemaker recently posted...Pineapple Teriyaki Turkey MeatballsKristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:42 pm Yes, the heat has such a great flavor :) Thanks Christina!Vicki @ Babies to Bookworms
April 5, 2017 at 10:19 pm Yum! This looks like a delicious twist on cornbread! I just made a soup last night that this would have paired perfectly with! I will have to save it for next time.Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:42 pm Yes, definitely save this recipe for the next time you make soup!! Thanks Vicki!Lacee
April 5, 2017 at 10:45 pm This cornbread looks delicious!Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:41 pm It really is delicious Lacee :)Alicia Nicole @ Melanated Beautiful
April 6, 2017 at 12:15 am Cornbread is totally a Southern staple, but I love how you translated it into a healthier alternative. I was born and raised in the south and have seen many different variations of cornbread but this one has certainly piqued my interest! I'll have to try this one soon! Thanks for sharing :)Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:41 pm I love cornbread so much that I had to make a healthy version so that I could eat it at home! Thanks Alicia!Kitty
April 6, 2017 at 1:00 am Yes! I'll take some cornbread to eat with my stew! Kitty recently posted...Snickerdoodle Cupcakes + Happy Birthday to Vintage Kitty!Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:40 pm It's a must with stew right?! Thanks Kitty!Vibeke Johannessen
April 6, 2017 at 2:49 pm This looks so good. It is not something I have ever made before either. Got to try this out :D Thank you :DKristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:40 pm Oh then you MUST try this soon Vibeke :)!!Colleen Wool
April 6, 2017 at 2:57 pm This recipe looks delicious. I cant wait to try it.Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:39 pm It is delicious! I hope you try this soon Colleen!jessica
April 6, 2017 at 3:12 pm this looks lovely! love the layout of your website and the pictures you've supplied :)Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:39 pm Thank you so much Jessica :)!!Victoria Halcrow
April 6, 2017 at 4:12 pm This looks amazing!Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:39 pm Thanks Victoria!Sushmita
April 6, 2017 at 4:20 pm I so need to try this recipe sounds delicious :) Sushmita recently posted...Stay motivated GRACE!Kristine
April 6, 2017 at 4:38 pm I hope you do try this Sushmita!Gracie Gill
April 6, 2017 at 11:09 pm This looks delicious! I remember my husband asking me to look for a recipe of cornbread. So I will definitely save this one. Plus I love green chilis, this will be perfect. Thanks for sharing!Kristine
April 10, 2017 at 10:04 am Oh perfect!! I hope you make this recipe soon and you guys like it :) Thanks Gracie!Cait Weingartner
April 7, 2017 at 2:40 am This cornbread looks flavorful and delicious! The first thing that came to mind when looking at your beautiful photos, was that this would be fantastic with a big bowl of chili! Definitely a recipe I am going to try.Kristine
April 10, 2017 at 10:04 am It's PERFECT for chili! I wish I had a bowl and a piece of this cornbread right now :) Thank you Cait!Cynthia
April 8, 2017 at 10:07 am I grew up in Houston and Pearland with cornbread as a staple. My mother's family grew up at and before the turn of the 19th century in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Your dish is wonderful, authentic, and best of all contains no sugar (an addition from farther east and north). Spoonbread (or as the East Coast calls it "Sally Lunn") is a delicious sweetened cornbread dessert you might also try serving. But THIS recipe is classic and a keeper. Thanks!Kristine
April 10, 2017 at 10:02 am Thank you Cynthia! I never knew where the addition of sugar came from, so I'm glad I know now :) Good to hear from a fellow Houston born!Julia
April 11, 2017 at 8:51 am I love that this cornbread doesn't use insane amount of oil or butter in the batter! Definitely putting this on my to-make list. Oh, and melted butter on top is totally ok :) I like my butter when I can see it :)Kristine
April 13, 2017 at 4:55 pm Same here Julia :)!!!Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
April 17, 2017 at 8:33 pm I love adding a little heat to side dishes like this - it looks wonderful! Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen recently posted...Waffle Pulled Pork Eggs BenedictKristine
April 19, 2017 at 5:21 pm Me too! Thanks Ashley!