White Chicken Chili
What do you do when you’re faced with a few dangerously overripe tomatoes, a can of beans and a lonely onion sitting on your countertop. You make soup. Or stew. Or chili. You add a few other ingredients you have at hand and let the magic happen in the pot. This chili recipe is forgiving and will tolerate ingredients substitutions and additions well.
Comfort food by nature is sometimes laden with grease or weighed down with sugar, but it doesn’t always have to be that way. There are healthier choices that can be made. There are recipes and techniques that are healthy AND tasty. I’m a firm believer that being healthy is a lifestyle choice and is not a choice of which diet you’re on. Having said that, I’m guilty of making stupid choices at times, I’ve had days when my chocolate consumption has taken the national average to a new level. But just as in life, with food, you are allowed to make mistakes and you can get back on track to live your life the best way you know how to.
This recipe is adapted from ‘The Holly Clegg Trim & Terrific Cookbook’ which I think has some nifty ways of cutting down on fat in recipes. Not only is this a low-fat version (watch out for the sodium in the chicken stock), it is a soul warming recipe, one that you’ll making over and over again and not just when you’re cleaning out the fridge.
This is my entry to ‘Cooking to Combat Cancer‘- a blog event for a terrific cause hosted at Mele Cotte. I hope all of you will visit the round-up to see all the wonderful, strong foods that promote a healthy lifestyle.
White Chicken Chili (Serves eight)
Ingredients:
1. 1 onion, chopped
2. 2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
3. 2 tomatoes, chopped
4. 1 can cannellini beans
5. 3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
6. 2 jalapenos, chopped
7. 1 lb. chicken breasts, diced
8. 1/2 ground cumin
9. 1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
10. 1/2 cup reduced-fat Monterrey Jack cheese
11. 5 cups no-fat chicken broth
12. 1 bunch green onions, chopped
13. Salt and pepper to taste
14. Olive oil
15. Tortilla strips for garnish
Method:
Heat oil in a pot and cook the diced chicken till done and remove from pot. Add the chopped onion and garlic, saute till the onions turn soft. Now add in the chopped tomatoes and jalapenos, cumin, oregano and chicken. Saute till the tomatoes are soft, add the chicken broth and simmer for 20 minutes and then add the beans and simmer for another 15 minutes. Add the lime juice. Season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with cheese, green onions and crisp tortilla strips.
on April 5th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Monisha, Thanks so much for participating. This is a fabulous recipe! I always find myself staring at tomatoes I have to use and am always looking for a new recipe to try.
on April 6th, 2007 at 8:41 am
I do have two dangerously ripe plum tomatoes right now!;D
I love Chili,never made with chicken though,looks great and a great entry for that event as well.With beans,it makes protein rich as well.Thanks Monisha.
on April 7th, 2007 at 11:08 am
Lovely post, great cause. The dish screams comfort food. I’ve never made chili, will give it a try. Thanks for sharing.
on April 8th, 2007 at 6:55 am
Can’t agree you any more on lifestyle of choice!!!
on April 8th, 2007 at 11:30 am
This looks lipsmacking good and healthy too. Monisha, now I have to try this soon. Thanks for sharing.
on April 9th, 2007 at 1:30 am
Looks delicious and healthy too! I have to spring clean my fridge as well, so may end up making this
on April 10th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Very nice photos and it does look like a great recipe.
on April 11th, 2007 at 4:25 am
Lovely entry!
on April 11th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
I have some tomatoes too…but also an agenda for dinner tonight…maybe tomorrow! This looks really good…and healthy. Thanks for the idea. I was hoping youd consider adding my blog to your list of links. I have you linked and love checking if you wrote anything new everyday.
on April 12th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
White chicken chili is one of my favorite meals. Delicious!
on April 12th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
I will have to try this.I have read many high praises for Holly Clegg.Love your blog!
on April 19th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Yummy looking naans and lovely white chicken…
Should come here more often
on July 25th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
hi monisha, gr8 blog, and good recipes. loved it. Have added you in my blogroll and will keep dropping by.
on March 26th, 2009 at 5:12 am
That picture has my mouth watering and I just ate.
on October 1st, 2009 at 6:59 am
I am interested to make something different per a day, so this is very interesting dish for me. when i made this my family members like the most. They are crazy to eat next time.So thanks for this dish.
on October 2nd, 2009 at 6:51 am
Really your recipe is very good for me. I like chiken. when i told her about this recipe she wants to eat as soon as possible for her:)
on October 5th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Wow, It’s amazing receipe. I would love to make such a delicious dish.
on October 5th, 2009 at 9:15 am
It’s really nice receipe. Thanks for leting me know.
on November 4th, 2009 at 1:05 am
Hi,
I have made it as per the method.I want to tell you that this recipe is very delicious and ingredients gives more taste to recipe.
on November 5th, 2009 at 2:43 am
Hi monisha,
Your recipes are really interesting. I liked this Chicken Chilli recipe. The method explained by you to cook the food is really good.
on December 18th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Great work Monisha. Fantastic recipes. I would try this and let you know.
on January 14th, 2010 at 10:54 pm
Ha ha ha … thats an good idea.