Chicken Chili

Gay Gilmore's Note:

This is adapted from Ian Garten's "Parties" cookbook. I made it for a Steeler's playoff game 2005. They won, so it has good luck. It was nice to have a chicken-based chili rather than beef after grubbing on so much bad-for-you snacks. As Alton Brown says, "when you realize 'chili' is about the chilies it will all come together for you."

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 40 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 8 cups chopped onions
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup minced garlic
• 4 red bell peppers, large dice
• 2 yellow bell peppers, large dice
• 2 anaheim chilies, large dice (or whatever big green peppers you can get your hands on, the more variety the better)
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste
• 4 teaspoons kosher salt
• 4 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled plum tomatoes in puree, undrained
• 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro
• 8 chicken breast halves, bone-in and skin on
• pepper

for serving

• chopped onions or scallion
• grated cheddar cheese
• corn chips
• sour cream

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Rub the chicken breast with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet.
3. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
4. Roast the chicken for 35-40 minutes, until just cooked.
5. While chicken is roasting, cook the onions in the oil over med-low heat for 10-15 minutes, until translucent.
6. Add the garlic and cook 1 min more.
7. Add the peppers, chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, cayenne, and salt.
8. Cook for 1 minute.
9. Dump the tomatoes into the food processor and pulse 6-8 times to crush the tomatoes-- may need to do this in batches.
10. Add tomatoes to the pot with the cilantro.
11. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
12. Let chicken cool slightly.
13. Remove the meat from the bones and skin, and cut into 3/4-inch chunks, then add to chili and simmer uncovered for another 20 minutes.
14. Serve with the toppings or refrigerate and reheat later.

Reviews

[Mysterygirl]

I was looking for something filling but still healthy enough to fit within my Weight Watcher lifestyle for our Super Bowl Party at work yesterday. This recipe fit the bill perfectly. I love the flavors that came through. Thanks for posting.