Creamy White Chili

This is a family favorite at our house on a cold winter's evening.

I know there are lots of recipes around for white chili but I always come back to this recipe. This chili has a pleasing creaminess to it and just the right amount of spiciness. I have never made less than a double batch. This is a real crowd pleaser.

Creamy White Chili adapted from “Taste of Home”

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into ½ ” cubes

1 medium onion, chopped

1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

3 - 15 ½ oz cans great northern beans, rinsed and drained

1 - 14 ½ oz can chicken broth

2 - 4 oz cans chopped green chilies

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon black pepper

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 c (8 oz) sour cream

½ c whipping cream

In a large dutch oven, sauté chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies and seasonings. Bring to a boil . Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. If not serving right away I recommend stopping at this point. When you are ready to serve bring back to correct temperature and remove from the heat; stir in sour cream and whipping cream. Take care not to overheat or bring to a boil when reheating so that the dairy does not curdle. Serve immediately. Yield: 7 servings

We like this topped with some shredded cheddar cheese and served with tortilla chips.

I have increased the beans from the original recipe as it was a little brothier that I felt a chili should be. This is excellent if you have the time to cook your own dried beans; 1 1/2 c cooked beans equals one can (15 1/2 oz) of beans. The bean broth also adds a wonderful flavor to the chili if you wish to use it. When using broth from the beans, I use chicken boullion or chicken base in place of the chicken broth. Add additional chicken broth only if needed to get to the desired thickness for your tastes. Don't forget that the cream is going to thin it down a bit.

This is an easy weeknight or make ahead meal using canned or precooked beans and the frozen chicken bits to get you started. This freezes well. Enjoy!

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Mountain Belle