Here’s comfort food that’s good for you! If you want chili rich in flavor, but, not much heat, here’s a recipe that highlights the browned chicken with creamy white beans that’s as soothing as chicken soup, but with an edge of heat from mild peppers and a tiny pinch of cayenne. This is so easy, anyone could make it. I like to prepare a salad to accompany it, while it’s simmering to deepen the flavor. Add some crusty sourdough bread on the side, and you’ve got a simple meal your older children could cook. Go ahead and have some sliced jalapenos peppers ready for those who need lots of heat!
- 3 T Olive oil
- 3 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts (4-6)
- 2 C Shallots, chopped (about 4)
- 2 t cloves garlic, minced
- 4 lbs Swanson Chicken broth, Unsalted (8 cups)
- 6 (15 ounce) cans White chili beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 Anaheim green peppers, chopped fine, seeds removed (about ⅓ cup)
- 2 T Dried oregano
- 2 t Ground cumin
- 2 pinches cayenne pepper, or to taste
- ½ t Kosher Salt, or to taste (eliminate if using low salt broth)
- ¼ t Freshly ground pepper
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Cook stirring shallots occasionally for 3 minutes, then add garlic and cook a minute longer in hot oil.
- Push shallots and garlic aside and place chicken in hot oil until the chicken is browned, in batches, 3 minutes per side.
- Remove the chicken to a cutting board, cut into 1-inch pieces, and return to the pot; add chicken broth, white chili beans, Anaheim chiles, oregano, cumin, and cayenne pepper.
- Scrape up the brown fond in bottom of pan created by cooking chicken, and stir into mixture.
- With a masher, smash ⅓ of the beans, to thicken, if desired.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes longer.
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste. (If you add salt earlier, it will tend to make the beans tough).
- Serve hot.
- Allow remaining chili to cool, then refrigerate tightly covered for 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.