Savory Santa Fe Chicken Chili
This Savory Santa Fe Chicken Chili combines the robust flavors of roasted chicken with a medley of vegetables and spices, creating a hearty meal perfect for sharing. Easy to prepare in under an hour, this dish is not only delicious but also nutritious, making it ideal for family dinners or gatherings. With the combination of black beans, corn, and zesty Rotel tomatoes, each spoonful promises a burst of flavor, while the ranch dressing mix adds a creamy texture that balances the spice. Serve with warm tortillas or over rice, and enjoy the comforting taste of the Southwest in every bowl.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Roasted deli chicken
1 (shredded)
Onions
2 medium (chopped)
Diced tomatoes
2 (14.5 ounce) cans (with liquid)
Whole green chilies
2 (4 ounce) cans (whole)
Ro-tel Mexican festival tomatoes
2 (10 ounce) cans (with liquid)
Black beans
2 (14.5 ounce) cans (1 can rinsed and drained, 1 can with liquid)
White shoepeg corn
2 (11 ounce) cans (1 can mashed, 1 can with liquid)
Taco seasoning mix
2 (1.25 ounce) packages (mixed in)
Dry ranch dressing mix
2 (1 ounce) packages (mixed in)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and soft, about 5-7 minutes.
2
While the onions are cooking, remove the meat from the roasted deli chicken, shredding it into bite-sized pieces.
3
Once the onions are ready, add the shredded chicken to the pot along with the taco seasoning and ranch dressing mixes. Stir well to coat the chicken and onions with the seasonings.
4
Add one can of diced tomatoes and one can of Rotel tomatoes, along with all their liquids, to the pot. Mix to combine.
5
In a blender, combine one can of black beans (with liquid) and the whole green chilies. Blend until smooth, then pour the mixture into the pot.
6
Next, puree one can of corn, one can of tomatoes, and one can of Rotel together with their liquids, and add this to the pot as well.
7
Drain and rinse the other can of black beans, then add it to the pot along with one can of corn (with liquid).
8
Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and let it cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
9
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnishing with fresh cilantro or shredded cheese if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Santa Fe Chicken Chili?
It is a hearty Southwestern-style meal that combines roasted chicken with vegetables, black beans, corn, and a blend of taco and ranch seasonings.
How long does it take to prepare this dish?
This recipe is designed to be easy to prepare and can be completed in under an hour.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for one roasted deli chicken, which should be shredded into bite-sized pieces.
What ingredients are needed for the base of the chili?
The base consists of sautéed onions, shredded roasted chicken, diced tomatoes, Rotel tomatoes, and green chilies.
How many onions do I need?
You will need 2 medium onions, chopped for sautéing.
What kind of beans are used in this chili?
The recipe uses two 14.5-ounce cans of black beans.
Do I need to drain all the beans?
No, one can is used with its liquid for blending, and the other can is rinsed and drained before being added to the pot.
What type of corn is recommended?
The recipe specifically calls for two 11-ounce cans of white shoepeg corn.
How is the corn prepared for the recipe?
One can of corn is pureed with other ingredients, while the second can is added whole with its liquid.
What gives the chili its Southwestern flavor?
The flavor comes from a combination of taco seasoning, ranch dressing mix, green chilies, and Rotel tomatoes.
How much taco seasoning is required?
You should use two 1.25-ounce packages of taco seasoning mix.
What is the purpose of the dry ranch dressing mix?
The ranch dressing mix adds a creamy texture and a unique zesty flavor that balances the spices in the chili.
How many cans of tomatoes are needed in total?
You will need four cans total: two 14.5-ounce cans of diced tomatoes and two 10-ounce cans of Ro-tel Mexican festival tomatoes.
Which ingredients are blended together?
One can of black beans is blended with whole green chilies. Additionally, one can of corn, one can of diced tomatoes, and one can of Rotel are pureed together.
How long should the onions be sautéed?
Sauté the chopped onions in olive oil for about 5-7 minutes until they are translucent and soft.
Do I need to remove the seeds from the green chilies?
The recipe calls for two 4-ounce cans of whole green chilies to be blended directly into the mixture.
How long does the chili need to simmer?
Once brought to a boil, reduce the heat and let the chili simmer covered for 30 minutes.
What are the recommended serving suggestions?
You can serve this chili hot with warm tortillas or over a bed of rice.
What garnishes go well with this chicken chili?
Fresh cilantro and shredded cheese are excellent options for garnishing this dish.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is described as a nutritious meal containing high-protein chicken and fiber-rich beans and vegetables.
Is this a good meal for large groups?
Yes, it is a hearty meal perfect for sharing at family dinners or social gatherings.
Should I stir the chili while it simmers?
Yes, you should stir occasionally to prevent the ingredients from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Can I adjust the seasoning?
The instructions recommend tasting the chili after it has simmered and adjusting the seasoning to your preference.
What size cans of Rotel are used?
The recipe uses 10-ounce cans of Ro-tel Mexican festival tomatoes.
Is olive oil required for this recipe?
Yes, a tablespoon of olive oil is used to sauté the onions at the start of the process.
What makes this chili 'Santa Fe' style?
The use of ingredients like black beans, corn, green chilies, and taco seasoning gives it a distinct Southwestern 'Santa Fe' profile.
How is the chicken added to the pot?
Shred the meat from a roasted deli chicken and add it to the sautéed onions, coating it with the seasoning mixes.
Can I use frozen corn instead of canned shoepeg corn?
While the recipe specifies canned white shoepeg corn for texture and liquid, frozen corn could be a substitute if needed.
Is this recipe spicy?
With Rotel and green chilies, it has a zesty flavor, but the ranch dressing mix helps to balance and mellow the spice level.
What is the primary texture of this chili?
The chili has a hearty and thick texture thanks to the combination of whole beans and pureed vegetables.