Creamy Southwestern White Chicken Chili
Indulge in this delicious and hearty Creamy Southwestern White Chicken Chili, perfect for a cozy dinner with family or friends. This recipe features tender chicken thighs, roasted garlic, and a vibrant medley of poblano peppers and onions. The richly flavored dish is elevated with the smoothness of great northern beans and zesty salsa verde, creating a glorious blend of creaminess and spice. Ideal for chilly evenings, this chili can be customized with optional toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, and fresh cilantro for a delightful finish. Moreover, it's easy to make in the microwave, saving you time without sacrificing flavor. Enjoy a bowl of warmth and comfort with every spoonful, and feel free to substitute chicken thighs with boneless, skinless chicken breasts if preferred.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
garlic cloves
48 (unpeeled (3 whole heads))
salt
3/4 teaspoon (divided)
olive oil
3 tablespoons (divided)
poblano peppers
2 (finely diced)
onion
1 medium (chopped)
boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 1/2 lbs (trimmed and diced)
southwestern seasoning
2 tablespoons (to taste)
great northern beans
2 (15 1/2 ounce) cans (drained and rinsed)
salsa verde
1 (16 ounce) jar (ready to use)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the garlic. Use a 5-inch Santoku Knife to slice off about 1/4 inch from the pointed top of each garlic head to expose the cloves. Place the garlic cut side up in a Classic Batter Bowl. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cover the bowl with a lid and microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes, or until the garlic is soft. Set aside to cool.
2
While the garlic is cooking, finely dice the poblano peppers using the Santoku Knife. Chop the onion using a Food Chopper. Combine the diced peppers and chopped onion in a Deep Covered Baker.
3
Trim and finely dice the chicken thighs using a Boning Knife. Add the chicken to the baker along with the southwestern seasoning mix, the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix everything well using a Master Scraper. Cover and microwave on HIGH for 4 minutes; then stir to separate the chicken pieces. Cover again and microwave for an additional 4-6 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.
4
Once the garlic has cooled, gently squeeze the cloves from their skins into the batter bowl (discard the skins) and mash them using the Mix ‘N Masher. Add the drained and rinsed great northern beans and salsa verde to the bowl, stirring to combine.
5
Transfer the bean mixture to the baker with the chicken and vegetables, mixing well. Microwave the chili, covered, on HIGH for 5-7 minutes or until the chili is heated through. Serve warm with your choice of toppings.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is for Creamy Southwestern White Chicken Chili.
What type of meat is recommended for this chili?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 lbs of boneless skinless chicken thighs, though chicken breasts can be used as a substitute.
How many garlic heads are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 3 whole heads of garlic, which is approximately 48 cloves.
How do you prepare the garlic for the chili?
Slice off the top of the garlic heads, place them in a batter bowl with salt and olive oil, and microwave for 3 minutes until soft.
What kind of peppers are used in this dish?
Two poblano peppers, finely diced, are used in this recipe.
What type of beans are included in the chili?
The recipe uses two 15 1/2 ounce cans of great northern beans.
Is this chili cooked on the stove or in the microwave?
This recipe is specifically designed to be cooked in the microwave using a Deep Covered Baker.
What kind of salsa is added to the mixture?
A 16-ounce jar of salsa verde is added to provide flavor and moisture.
What is the seasoning used for the chicken?
Two tablespoons of southwestern seasoning mix are used to season the chicken.
How long should the chicken cook in the microwave?
The chicken is microwaved initially for 4 minutes, then stirred and cooked for an additional 4 to 6 minutes.
What are some recommended toppings for this chili?
Optional toppings include shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, and fresh cilantro.
How do you incorporate the garlic after it is microwaved?
Once cooled, squeeze the garlic cloves from their skins into a bowl and mash them before adding the beans and salsa.
What tool is suggested for chopping the onion?
A Food Chopper is recommended for chopping the medium onion.
How much olive oil is required in total?
A total of 3 tablespoons of olive oil is used, divided between the garlic and the chicken mixture.
Do I need to rinse the beans?
Yes, the great northern beans should be drained and rinsed before being added to the chili.
What is the final microwave time once all ingredients are combined?
The chili should be microwaved, covered, for 5 to 7 minutes or until heated through.
What type of knife is best for dicing the chicken thighs?
A Boning Knife is recommended for trimming and finely dicing the chicken.
Is salt added to the chicken separately?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt is added to the chicken mixture along with the seasoning and oil.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be substituted for the thighs if preferred.
What is the purpose of mashing the beans and garlic?
Mashing them helps create the creamy texture characteristic of this white chicken chili.
What container is used to cook the chicken and vegetables?
A Deep Covered Baker is used for microwaving the peppers, onions, and chicken.
How do you ensure the chicken pieces don't stick together during cooking?
The instructions advise stirring the chicken after the first 4 minutes of microwaving to separate the pieces.
Is the garlic peeled before it is microwaved?
No, the garlic is microwaved unpeeled; the cloves are squeezed out of the skins after they have softened.
What is the role of the Master Scraper in this recipe?
The Master Scraper is used to mix the chicken, seasoning, oil, and salt in the baker.
What is the role of the Santoku Knife?
The Santoku Knife is used to slice the tops off the garlic and to finely dice the poblano peppers.
Does this recipe include dairy in the cooking process?
The chili itself does not contain dairy; the creaminess comes from the mashed beans, though cheese and sour cream can be added as toppings.
How is the salsa verde prepared?
The recipe uses a ready-to-use 16-ounce jar of salsa verde.
Is the onion diced or chopped?
The recipe specifies that the onion should be chopped using a Food Chopper.
How much salt is used in total for the whole recipe?
A total of 3/4 teaspoon of salt is used, divided between the garlic (1/4 tsp) and the chicken (1/2 tsp).
Is this a spicy dish?
The dish has a vibrant medley of poblano peppers, southwestern seasoning, and salsa verde, providing a blend of creaminess and mild spice.