The best chicken chili recipe
When we talk about chili, most of think about beef and beans. So when I was challenged to participate in a chili contest I spent weeks trying out twists on the classic beef and beans version. I tried ground beef, diced sirloin, kidney beans, black beans, a variety of peppers. But something wasn’t sitting well with me. I knew everyone would be making a some kind of version of the classic beef chili and there is only so much I could do to it to make it stand out. And I wanted to win! So I decided I was going to take a chance and do something totally different.
I kept coming back to Ina Garten’s recipe for chicken chili. I wasn’t convinced it would be great. The main ingredients were bell peppers and chicken which are not at all what I think of when I think of chili. I had so many reservations and questions about the ingredients in this recipe, but I just kept coming back to it until I decided I had to try it. And when I finally did, I knew I had something special. This is one of those recipes that simply surprises you. How can chicken and peppers come together and taste like chili? I just don’t know, but they do! And it’s damn good!
I invited a few feasters over to taste test the chicken chili and discuss the pro and cons of going with a chicken chili vs a traditional beef chili in the contest. It was so helpful to get honest feedback so I could make a confident decision about which chili to submit. It was a unanamyous decision that I had to step out of the box if I wanted my chili to stand out and we all agreed this dish could be a real contender. So, that’s what I did. I spent the next few weeks deciding what tomatoes to use, what type of chili powder to use and what cheese worked best as a garnish. I worked hard to make it the best it could be.
Then the day came.
My chili was up against 18 other chilis. Voters could only vote for their top choice. When the votes were tallied I did not come in first (hold- I need to wipe the tears) but I came in second and by 1 vote! That means a heck of a lot of people choose this chili as their top choice! That’s a win in my book and I have no regrets. This is a great recipe and it now on rotation at Casa De Collins and will be… at least until next year when I go for gold and take that first place prize!
The Recipe
Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped yellow onions 2 large onions
- 1/8 cup good olive oil plus extra for chicken
- 1/8 cup minced garlic
- 2 red bell peppers cored, seeded, and large-diced ( about 3/4 inch dice.)
- 2 yellow bell peppers cored, seeded, and large-diced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt plus more for chicken
- 2 28-ounce cans whole peeled plum tomatoes in puree, undrained
- 1/4 cup minced fresh basil leaves
- 4 split chicken breasts bone in, skin on
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast the chicken for 35 to 40 minutes, until just cooked. Use a quick read thermometer to temp the chicken occasionally and pull them when they are between 163-165°F. (Keep in mind rarely are breasts the exact same size so they will likely be done at different times.) Once cool, separate the meat from the bones and remove the skin. Cut it into 3/4-inch chunks.
- While the chicken is cooking, cook the onions in the oil over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until translucent. While onions are cooking, use a pairing knife to pierce and slightly break open the tomatoes to release their water and seeds. Crush the tomatoes by hand, or in batches in a food processor fitted with a steel blade (pulse 6 to 8 times), or simply chop well with a sharp knife. Set aside.
- To the onions, add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the bell peppers, chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, cayenne, and salt. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add the tomatoes & basil. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the chicken (and any accumulated juices) to the chili and simmer, uncovered, for another 20 minutes. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed.
- Serve with the toppings, or refrigerate and reheat gently before serving.
1 thought on “Award winning chicken chili”
Talk about a flavorful bite! This chili is by far the best chili I have made or eaten. I was skeptical at first that it would not taste like a true chili based on the ingredients. However, this recipe was a huge hit and absolutely fulfilled the traditional taste I was hoping for. I highly recommend for a comfort food on a cold winter day!