Chipotle Chicken and White Bean Chili packs a lot of flavor for not a lot of labor!
Hello, holiday crazy! Goodbye, mealtime stress with my Chipotle Chicken and White Bean Chili!
Just like when the temperature soars to 100 degrees here in the South and the question most often asked is “Hot enough for ya?,” the question that grates on my nerves this time of year is “Are you ready for Christmas?”
Screech….scratch….nails-on-a-blackboard kind of grating.
I’ve determined this question is mostly asked by people who ARE ready for Christmas. Awesome job folks! Now make way for the rest of us who work better under pressure.
Here’s my super-fast recipe for Chipotle Chicken and White Bean Chili for a quick and hearty wintertime meal that won’t stress you out. It’s perfect for a weeknight or for when you’re too busy to cook but you want something hearty and comforting. Take a pot of this to a football get-together and it will be the hit of the party!
If you’re feeling industrious, you can make your own green enchilada sauce. Here’s a recipe from Chili Pepper Madness.
However, we’re talking about quick and easy, right? I usually have the best luck with premade ingredients such as green enchilada sauce when I get them at a local international or Hispanic market versus the local grocery store.
Also, ain’t nothing wrong with using canned beans if the beans are not the focal point of the dish and there are lots of other textures going on. Just be sure to rinse them well as they can be a bit on the salty side. You also don’t want the liquid they’re packed in diluting these rocking flavors!
Instead of chicken, feel free to use that leftover turkey from Thanksgiving you have stored in the freezer!
Ta-daa! Dinner is done.
Serves 6
Quick, easy and packs a lot of flavor for not a lot of labor!
15 minPrep Time
30 minCook Time
45 minTotal Time
Save RecipeINGREDIENTS
1-2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
1 can (15-ounce) chicken broth
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper or Poblano pepper, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, finely chopped (seeded if desired)
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons dried oregano, preferably Mexican
1 large bay leaf
1 can (28-ounce) green enchilada sauce
2 large boneless skinless chicken breast halves (about 1 pound), cut into several large pieces
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 cans (15-ounce) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Sour cream and chopped scallion, for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine the chipotle pepper(s) and chicken broth in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Set aside.
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, green or Poblano pepper and jalapenos, reduce heat to medium and cook 8-10 minutes or until softened, stirring frequently. Add garlic, cumin, oregano and bay leaf and cook 30 seconds.
Add green enchilada sauce, chicken broth/chipotle combination and chicken. Bring to a boil and cook 15 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cool slightly.
Shred the chicken, add it back to the chili along with beans. Bring back to a simmer to heat through. Discard bay leaf and stir in cilantro.
Serve with sour cream and scallions.
MAKE AHEAD: Make up to 2 days ahead. Cool thoroughly and refrigerate. Reheat on the stovetop 10-12 minutes or until heated through. FREEZER-FRIENDLY: Cool thoroughly. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or slowly in the microwave.
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