January and February are comfort food months in my house. It’s the season for hearty soups and stews, roasted meats and root vegetables, home baked breads and an occasional dessert or three. I’m working on building a new category in my recipe file – Beach Food – good recipes that are not only delicious and filling, better a day or two after they are made, and reasonably healthy…recipes that balance the rich chowders and panko fried seafood that we love with some healthy alternatives. I hate to attach the “healthy” label to recipes because I usually sometimes pass right over them when I am reading recipes. It so often means “no flavor.”
This white chicken chili recipe meets all the requirements of good beach food. What could be easier and quicker than placing the ingredients in a crockpot and turning it on low for 4-5 hours? Next time I will double the recipe so there are plenty of leftovers for the next day. One jalapeno gave the chili just the right amount of heat for my family’s taste…lots of flavor but not too spicy. It’s easy to adjust to your own degree of heat. Cornbread muffins were the perfect accompaniment.
Be sure to pass lots of topping along with the chili. My favorites are chopped cilantro, grated cheese (sharp cheddar for this meal) sour cream, and salsa. Crushed tortilla chips and lime wedges are good too. This recipe has tons of flavor and yet is low in fat and gluten-free. 
The travel bug has bitten me again and I’m starting to think about taking a trip this year. I’m always up for a good adventure and there are so many places to see…the big question is “someplace new” or “revisiting an old favorite.” I stuck around home in 2015 and my family’s big vacation was a week on the Oregon Coast. We loved every minute of it, but when wanderlust kicks in I starting thinking of exotic, distant places. Maybe Germany and Austria…who knows where my research will take me. Planning is always a big part of the fun. What places are on your bucket list?
I found this delicious recipe at Iowa Girl Eats.
- 1lb chicken breasts
- 15oz can great northern beans, drained
- 4oz can chopped green chiles
- 1 - 2 jalapenos, minced (using 1 made for a mild chili)
- 1 shallot or ½ onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-1/2 teaspoons cumin
- 1-1/2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- big pinch dried oregano
- 2 cups gluten-free chicken broth
- juice of ½ lime
- ¼ cup milk (any kind, I used unsweetened almond milk)
- 1 Tablespoon gluten-free flour (any kind, I used brown rice flour)
- Toppings: green
- Combine all ingredients except into a 6-quart crock pot then stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Remove chicken then shred and place in the refrigerator.
- Whisk together flour and milk in a small dish then drizzle into chili and stir to combine.
- Cover then cook on high for 30 minutes, stir shredded chicken back into chili, and serve with toppings.
Perfect meal for this cold, blustery day! Yes, go to Germany and Austria—they’re on our bucket list and I’d love to see them through your eyes!
I think Germany and Austria will be on the list, Liz. I’ve been to both countries before and definitely want to go back. I enjoy the planning part.
Cathy Farley recently posted..Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
I can do this recipe! I have the ingredients unhand. Woo-hoo! Tomorrow’s Sunday Supper.
Hope all is well with you.
Hi Velva – Thanks for your comment. I hope you enjoyed this recipe.
Cathy Farley recently posted..Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
Looks good..I have never made a white one:)
Home is my Wanderlust:)
But if Jacques said we have to go somewhere ..where? I know we would both love Provence again..I would take a side to Paris..he has no interest..in Paris..big cities are not for him..I think those white buildings and blue skies in Greece look fab..not him..LOL..
so I guess there is only one place we would go to..we don’t have bucket lists..so boring we are;)
I know you will pick a great place!
Monique recently posted..Bev’s Roasted Chicken ~ And Marie’s Apple Baked Donuts♥
It’s hard to decide, but I enjoy the planning stage and will do research that helps me narrow down the choices. My first thought is always going back to Paris, but I love Germany too. If I had to pick just one place to be it would be home.
Cathy Farley recently posted..Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
Recipe looks great, looking forward to making it. But please add which ‘excepts’ in the first step of the recipe. Thx!
On another note – come to Canada! Your dollar makes everything 30-40% discounted. The Okanagan Valley has views that rival Tuscany…and a few pretty impressive foodie options…wine too.
Oh…silly me…I read on and saw the ‘excepts’.
Cheers.
Hi Fioona – I haven’t been to Canada in years and haven’t seen any place but the west coast. I know it’s beautiful and I would like to spend some time there. Thank you for stopping by to visit.
Cathy Farley recently posted..Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
I love white chicken chili and this one sounds delicious, Cathy. What fun to be researching a new trip!
The research is one of the fun parts for me, Susan. There are so many wonderful places to visit and narrowing down the list is a challenge. Love the photos of your new little grandson. I’m hoping mine will arrive today or tomorrow.
Cathy Farley recently posted..Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
That looks delicious for this cold nasty weather.
Don’t have wanderlust. Am a home body I’m afraid.
I’m a home body too, Ramona, but love an occasional wandering away from home. Our weather is cold and rainy here too. Thanks for stopping by.
Cathy Farley recently posted..Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
I have bought my first-ever crock pot, but haven’t yet used it. I made a traditional bean and chicken soup on Saturday, but will try your version with the jalapeno, using the new crock pot.
I have the travel bug too. I love Germany and lived there for 10 years. I’d visit in a flash! My bucket list would include New Zealand, the Scottish Isles, Ireland and Iceland.
How wonderful to have lived in Germany for 10 years. It’s such a beautiful country and I feel at home when I’m there. There are so many wonderful places to see in the world. I would have to live to be 200 to see everyplace on my list. My New Year’s resolution is to use my crock pot more. Meals made in it are so easy. I hope you enjoy yours. Thanks for stopping by to visit.
Cathy Farley recently posted..Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
Well this seems perfect for the wintry days we’ve been having. I’ve never made a white chili, or a chili with chicken, but that’s about to change. It looks delicious and so easy to put together.
love how easy this is and how exciting love planning trips also