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White Bean Chicken Chili

Whether you're entertaining or relaxing, this recipe hits the spot.

Prep Time
3 hrs 3 mins
Cook Time
3 hrs 3 mins
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 strips bacon sliced crosswise in ¼-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 medium onion cut in ¼-inch dice
  • 2 stalks celery cut in ¼-inch dice
  • 1 medium yellow bell pepper cut in ¼-inch dice
  • 3 medium cloves garlic minced
  • 1 small jalapeño seeded and finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 3 medium carrots cut in ¼-inch dice
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 4 19- ounce cans white beans*
  • 3 cups shredded cooked chicken breast I use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken
  • ½ cup half and half
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place bacon in a large dutch oven and cook over medium heat until golden and beginning to get crisp. Remove cooked bacon with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with several thicknesses of paper towels. Set aside.
  2. Add olive oil to bacon fat in pan. When oil is hot, add onions, celery, bell pepper, garlic and jalapeño to pan and cook until soft, about 4-5 minutes. Add flour, cumin, chili powder and oregano and cook 2 minutes, stirring continually.
  3. Slowly add chicken broth, continuing to stir. Bring to a boil then add carrots and sea salt. Reduce to a steady simmer.
  4. Rinse and drain beans. Mash 2 cups (approximately 2 cans) of the beans with a fork until fairly smooth. Add beans, mashed bean mixture, reserved bacon and chicken to simmering broth. Cook 15-20 minutes or until carrots are very tender.
  5. Add half and half and cilantro and stir to combine. Serve hot with tortilla chips and garnish with extra cilantro and/or a handful of cheddar cheese. It's also great with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.

Notes

  • * I like to use several different varieties of white beans in different sizes. This time, I used 2 cans of Cannellini beans and 2 cans of butter beans. Great Northern would also be fine.