Monday, October 10, 2011

White Chicken Chili

    
     Who says chili has to be red? Not me. One of my favorite kinds of chili is this white chicken one, which really hits the spot when the weather starts getting cooler. Several years ago I was unable to eat tomatoes in any form, so this chili was  the one I turned to. I can eat tomatoes now but I still love this as a change of pace from the beefy tomato based ones usually associated with the name.  

     This is a heart healthy recipe, especially if you stick to low sodium chicken broth and beans. If you can only find regular beans, rinsing and draining them helps to remove excess sodium. (Another option would be to use dried beans that you've pre-soaked.) A heart healthy topping would be avocado, one of my favorites with any kind of chili. Spice it up with peppers and salsa, and it'll keep you warm from the inside out!

White Chicken Chili
3 chicken breast halves (about 1 1/2 lbs.) cut into small cubes*
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 Tblsp. olive oil
1 qt. chicken broth (homemade or canned)
2 small cans chopped green chiles (I used some Hatch chiles that I'd roasted and frozen- yum!)
1 bag frozen white corn (or canned)
3 cans white beans, drained**
2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. black pepper
cayenne or white pepper to taste (I love the spiciness that the white pepper gives it.)
For garnish:
shredded pepper-jack cheese
low fat sour cream
fresh cilantro
chopped avocado
salsa or hot sauce, green or red
  • Saute chicken, onions and garlic in olive oil and spices.
  • Add rest of ingredients (except cheese and other garnishes) and simmer on low for about an hour, or until flavors have blended well.
  • Serve with shredded cheese.
  • Top with sour cream, fresh cilantro, salsa or chopped avocado if desired.
*If you prefer, you can use cooked chopped chicken (a rotisserie would be handy) and add it when you add the beans.
**You can use any combination of beans you like. Great Northern are my favorites for this, but I've also used them in combination with Cannelini, Chickpeas, and even black eyed peas. Hominy is good in this also!


43 comments:

  1. LOVE the sound of this! Will be putting on the dinner menu for sure!

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  2. If you say it's o.k. to eat white chili then I'm going to because your recipe sounds delicious!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  3. Sounds great and I'm lovin' your pretty bowl:@)

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  4. Looks delicious! I just made a pot of beef chili, but this recipe will be next on my rotation!

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  5. 1 am so happy I came by; at the moment I am satying way fom tomtoes and looking for alternative. Keeping this one for sure; sounds woderful
    Rita

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  6. I am a huge fan of white chili and this recipe is very similar to the one I make. Isn't nice to have a change from the beef and tomato version. Looks delish!!

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  7. white chilli? I've not tried white chilli and this is totally new to me.

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  8. Wait a minute....you roasted the Hatch chilies yourself? I'm impressed. Love white pepper. Don't see it in very many recipes these days. And the idea of using hominy is a good one I want to try soon.

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  9. I've only made "red" chili, but this looks like a fun way to switch it up!

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  10. I love white chili like this one. Yum...it looks so warm and satisfying and I love the idea of adding hominy to it also.

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  11. I've been looking for a good white chili recipe and now I have one. When it turns chilly again I'm definitely making this. Perfect timing. Thanks for sharing.

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  12. I love white chili too! I love red chili also, but it is such a wonderful soup. So satisfying this time of year. I think I could eat soup everynight.

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  13. I love white chili, yet I almost always make red chili. I am going to give your recipe a try!

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  14. I've never had a white chili before but it certainly looks like something I could cuddle up with! Delicious.

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  15. I love red and white chili. Your bowl full looks mighty tempting! If only the weather would get cool enough to make some!!

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  16. Sounds mouth watering and perfect for this time of the year - yum :)
    Mary

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  17. I've been looking for a different type of chili to make for a chili cookoff! This looks perfect!

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  18. Tasty! A nice change from traditional chili.
    Mimi

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  19. I love chili blanco and have a very good recipe but mine doesn't have corn which would be a very nice addition. Chili weather will be back again here shortly!

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  20. Betty, your white chili looks delicious, I personally like the white beans better than the other ones, somehow they feel creamier to me.
    Hope you are having a great week and thanks for this yummie chili recipe :-)

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  21. Interesting way to prepare chilli, this looks good and I know it will be a hit on our dining table

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  22. i hardly see a white chilli! this looks amazing, light yet packed with flavour!

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  23. I make white chicken chili and for a large gathering I like to make a red chili and the white for a choice. I like your addition of corn and will have to try that;-)

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  24. i like your pictures and would like to invite you to share them on tastingspot.com

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  25. I love the idea of this and even though we're going into Spring, there's still a chill in the air that makes me appreciate a dish like this! :)

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  26. Who could resist this marvelous soup??? Topped so generously with grated cheese? Sounds delicious :)

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  27. so glad you posted this! First of all it looks delicious- comforting and perfect for the fall but secondly I wanted a new chicken chili recipe and I am going to take a few notes from your recipe because it looks amazing!

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  28. This looks delicious! I have never seen white chili before, and this looks really good! Thanks for sharing!

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  29. Oh, I do love white chili. That just looks like a big bowl of delicious comfort =)

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  30. This white chili looks gorgeous!A lovely pic.!Anything with pepper jack cheese always puts a big smile on my face!

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  31. This sounds like the perfect cold weather meal!

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  32. white chilli! who would have thought of that! you definitely opened a whole world of options out there!

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  33. although i tend to prefer beefy, beany chili, i'm not averse to a lighter, whiter version. great flavors here, betty!

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  34. I go to the same old chili recipe I've made for years when I want to make this family favorite. I love your version and can't wait to try it.

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  35. I love how light and elegant your white chili looks, Betty! I'm also a fan of white chili but I've never made it at home -- bookmarking!

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  36. First off, I'd like to express how beautiful your photo is...the contrasts are perfection. The meal looks very inviting and you've just brought out the little hunger monster...oh oh, I'm in trouble now ;o)

    Have a great weekend,
    Claudia

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  37. This is a really healthy version of chili. You are absolutely right, chili does not have to be red! I make a chili with black eyed peas (smile)

    Awesome.
    Velva

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  38. You are so right...who says chili has to be red? Love your white chili with the yummy chicken!
    Beautiful photo of it, and great recipe!
    Thanks for sharing:DDD

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  39. Now this one is very different, im kind of old school when it comes to chili. But it is different. Richard

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  40. This looks heavenly!! And perfect for a cold rainy night... Like tonight!

    Sues

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  41. wow! this is definitely happening once it gets cooler in dallas!

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Thanks for stopping by scrambled hen fruit! I appreciate all of your comments and look forward to reading them.

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