February Recipe - Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Chili                    https://www.thespruceeats.com

 

 

Ingredients

 

2 pounds boneless chicken breasts (about 4 large chicken breast halves)

1 cup onion (chopped)

½ cup green bell pepper (chopped)

2 cloves garlic (minced, or 1 tsp. granulated garlic or garlic powder)

1 (15-ounce) can great northern beans (rinsed and drained)

1 (15-ounce can pinto beans (rinsed and drained)

1 (14.5-ounce) can stewed tomatoes

1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

1 ½ cups corn kernels (frozen, thawed)

1 tablespoon chili powder (heaping)

1 teaspoon cumin (ground)

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt

½ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)

1 bay leaf

Garnish: sour cream or shredded cheese

Optional: chopped fresh cilantro

 

Steps to Make It

 

Gather the ingredients.

 

Dice the chicken or cut it into strips. Put the chicken pieces in the slow cooker along with the remaining listed ingredients. Stir to blend.

 

Cover and cook on high for 1 hour, then cook on low for 3 to 4 hours longer, or until the chicken is cooked and tender. Or cook on high for 3 to 4 hours.

 

Remove the bay leaf.

 

Spoon the chili into bowls and garnish with sour cream or shredded cheese, along with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired.

 

Serve with cornbread, crackers, or crusty bread.

 

 

Tips

 

Stovetop: Put ingredients in a large Dutch oven instead of a slow cooker. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 to 2 hours.

 

For thicker chili, add a few tablespoons of cornmeal about 30 minutes before it’s done.

 

 

 

Recipe Variations

 

Other vegetables that may be added include sliced summer squash or zucchini, shredded or julienne-cut carrots, and sliced celery.

 

For a little heat, add a few tablespoons of minced jalapeño pepper or serrano. Or add some crushed red pepper flakes.

 

Use different varieties of canned beans, or use cooked, dried beans instead.

 

Use part or all boneless chicken thighs in the recipe. Chicken thighs stay tender and juicy in the slow cooker, so they’re especially good in this recipe if you will be cooking it longer than the recommended times.