Chicken Chili

Some nights I crave spicy, southwestern flavors like warm chili and hot jalapenos, cool avocados, and smooth sour cream. And when I have a craving, I want to satisfy it fast, in an hour or less. So, with that in mind, let me offer my favorite White Chicken Chili recipe, ready in about an hour, full of flavor, and perfect for a crowd.

Even if you roast the chicken breasts (which really gives the best flavor), they’ll be ready in an hour. Who doesn’t like that? And if you really want to save time, use a rotisserie chicken. So, here you go: Chicken Chili!

Why I love this Recipe:

• It’s easy
• It’s perfect for a crowd
• You can make it in an hour
• Kids love it
• It’s a one-pot meal

Chicken Chili

Kate Battistelli

White Chicken Chili is ready in an hour, loaded with flavor, and perfect for a crowd!

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Prep Time 40 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Course One Pot Meal

Cuisine Tex Mex

Servings 4 -6

Ingredients

  

• 3-4 cups shredded chicken–either use a rotisserie chicken or 2-3 chicken breasts
• 1 onion chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 2 jalapeno peppers seeded, de-ribbed and chopped
• 1 4- ounce can chopped green chilis
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 to 1 teaspoon ground cayenne
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2-3 cups organic chicken broth
• 1 can white beans–cannellini or pinto or whatever beans you like drained
• Garnishes: 1 avocado chopped; 1 lime, sliced; 1 cup grated cheese; 1 cup sour cream

Instructions

 

• First, roast the chicken breasts. Preheat oven to 350, rinse and dry chicken breasts and coat with 1 tablespoon of the oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for about 40 minutes. The skin will be crisp and beginning to brown. I save all the bones and skin and use it to make homemade stock.
• If using a rotisserie chicken, remove meat from bones and shred.
• Remove chicken from oven and let it cool. Shred it or chop the meat when cool enough to handle.
• While the chicken is roasting, saute the chopped onion and garlic in 2 tablespoons of oil for about 3 minutes.
• Add the chopped jalapeno and saute another couple of minutes. Add the can of chopped green chilies.
• Now add the spices and let it all cook about 2 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
• Add the chicken broth, the drained beans and shredded chicken and simmer for about 20 minutes. The liquid should evaporate some as you don't want it soupy. If it gets too dry, add more broth.
• While it's simmering, chop an avocado, slice a lime, grate some cheddar or monterey jack cheese and scoop out some lovely sour cream.
• Serve in bowls and pass the garnishes!

Kate’s Tips

• I think the taste is much better when you roast the chicken breasts first. Plus, if you roast a few extra, you can use them all week for other recipes like roast chicken salad, chicken tortilla soup, or even chicken noodle soup.
• Save all the bones and skin for homemade chicken stock. Either freeze them to use later or make a small pot of stock the next day. Recipe here.
• When jalapeños are cooked, they lose a lot of their heat if you remove the ribs and seeds. No matter what, use rubber or plastic gloves when chopping them. You don’t want to rub your eyes with jalapeno juice on your hands!
• You can switch up the spices if you like. Cumin or coriander would both be good choices.
• I use cannellini beans, but you can really use any beans you like. Even black beans.
• To stretch this even further, use two cans of beans.
• Servings: The basic recipe above will serve 4 to 6 nicely with a salad. If you double it, it will serve 8 to 12.
• Cayenne pepper is hot, so I only use the ¼ teaspoon. I don’t love spicy food, but if you do, feel free to add more!
• Use crunchy organic tortilla chips to crumble on top!

Top with grated cheese, a squeeze of lime juice, cool sliced avocados, and a dollop of sour cream. Good to the last bite!