Written by Blaire Peters
When I first got married, I didn’t know how to cook. My husband considered himself lucky if I poured him a bowl of Fruit Loops. After a year or so, I felt a little guilty (and a little inadequate) that my cooking repertoire was limited to Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and Hot Pockets, so I began perusing cooking magazines and foodie websites. The trial period of my cooking quest was a daunting time for my husband, but he did his best to retain a smile when I served him burnt casseroles and gooey eggs. Eventually, I got the hang of it, and before long, I loved it. For me, cooking has become a passion which soothes the burdens and confusion a given day can bring. The smells, the warmth, the peacefulness, the familiarity, and the sense that I have created something which nurtures my family, all help to keep the kitchen the anchor of my home. But, as much as I love to cook, there are days when a mom just can’t find the time. For days like this, I rely on my favorite one-pot recipes which are wonderfully tasty, but require little time. One of my favorites for winter days robed in cold, blustery winds is White Bean and Chicken Chili. This is one of my very favorite soup recipes, and it is sure to satisfy the taste buds! I love to top it with a dollop of sour cream and strips of baked tortilla.
White Bean and Chicken Chili
Ingredients:
2 tsp. olive oil
2 yellow onions, diced
1 ¾ T. chili powder
1 T. granulated garlic
1 ¾ tsp. cumin
1 tsp. each salt and pepper
2 tsp. adobo sauce from can of chipotle peppers (you may want to leave this extra heat out for the kiddos, but man its good!)
1 ½ tsp. oregano
2 cans cannellini beans, drained
4 cups chicken broth
½ c. salsa
3 cups chopped, cooked chicken (I use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the market)
¼ c. cilantro, chopped
1 ½ T. fresh lime juice
Cook onion in olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot. Once the onion has browned, add the chili powder through the beans. Stir well and sauté for a few minutes. Add broth and salsa. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Remove 2 cups of the chili and puree in a food processor. Return the mixture to the pot, along with the chicken, cilantro and the lime juice. Serve with sour cream and strips of baked tortilla if desired.