Description
Paula Deen’s white chicken chili combines creamy comfort with zesty southwestern flavors. Southern-style cooking delivers hearty warmth that comforts diners from first spoonful to last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) dried navy beans
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) skinless boneless chicken breast, finely chopped
- 5 cups (1.2 liters) chicken stock
- 4 tbsps (60 ml) butter
- ¾ cup (180 ml) onion, diced
- 1 ½ can green chilies/jalapeño peppers, chopped or whole
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 to 2 tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp white pepper
- ½ bunch cilantro, chopped
- red pepper flakes (to taste)
Instructions
- Bean Preparation: Cleanse navy beans under running water, removing any impurities. Soak beans in water for 2 hours at room temperature, allowing thorough hydration.
- Initial Cooking: Transfer drained beans to a stockpot, cover with chicken stock, and bring to a vigorous boil over high heat. This process creates a robust liquid base for the chili.
- Vegetable Foundation: In a skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic, onions, and chilies until they become translucent and release their aromatic essence. The caramelization develops deep, complex flavor profiles.
- Flavor Amalgamation: Introduce the sautéed vegetable mixture into the boiling bean liquid. Add chicken pieces, cumin, oregano, black and white pepper, cilantro, and red pepper flakes to build a multi-dimensional taste experience.
- Simmering and Melding: Reduce heat to medium-low, allowing the chili to simmer uncovered. Periodically stir and let the liquid reduce for approximately 90 minutes, ensuring chicken becomes incredibly tender and ingredients harmonize completely.
- Final Refinement: Assess and fine-tune seasoning with salt or additional spices. Serve the white chicken chili hot, complemented by cornbread or your preferred accompaniment.
Notes
- Soak Smartly: Navy beans require full submersion and 2-hour hydration at room temperature to ensure even cooking and optimal texture.
- Butter Boost: Use high-quality unsalted butter for sautéing vegetables, which enhances the foundational flavor profile of the chili.
- Simmer Strategically: Low and slow cooking allows chicken to become incredibly tender while developing deep, complex taste dimensions.
- Spice with Precision: Balance heat and flavor by gradually adding red pepper flakes and ground cumin, tasting and adjusting throughout the cooking process.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg