High Protein Chicken Chili: The Ultimate Comfort Food with a Healthy Twist
High Protein Chicken Chili is a delightful fusion of flavors that brings warmth and comfort to your dining table. This easy-to-follow recipe not only satisfies your craving for something cozy but also packs a protein punch, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to maintain a balanced diet. With its step-by-step directions, you’ll be able to whip this up in no time, whether it’s for a hearty weeknight meal or a gathering with friends.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
One of the standout features of High Protein Chicken Chili is its incredible health benefits. By incorporating lean shredded chicken and nutrient-rich beans, you’re not just getting a delicious meal but also a significant protein boost. This dish is perfect for families, as it’s easy to prepare and packed with flavors that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Plus, you can customize it to suit your taste preferences by adding various toppings or adjusting the spice levels. With a prep time of just a few minutes and a cook time of under an hour, you’re looking at an efficient way to nourish your family without spending all day in the kitchen.
Ingredients
To make your own High Protein Chicken Chili, gather the following ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cups chicken bone broth (or regular chicken stock)
- 2 (15-oz) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 (4-oz) can chopped green chiles
- 1/2 cup whole kernel corn
- 1 (15-oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15-oz) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 pound cooked chicken, shredded (about 4 cups)
- 3/4 cup cottage cheese (or plain Greek yogurt)
- Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Optional toppings:
- Chopped cilantro
- Tortilla chips
- Diced avocado
- Red onion
- Lime wedges
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
This chili is not just nutritious; it’s a colorful medley of ingredients that make it visually appealing as well as tasty.
Step-by-Step Directions
-
Heat the olive oil: In a large pot or Dutch oven, warm the olive oil over medium heat. A heavy-bottomed pot works best as it helps prevent sticking and burning.
-
Sauté the vegetables: Add the diced onion and red bell pepper to the pot. Cook these aromatics for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onion becomes translucent and the pepper softens. The colors alone will begin to tantalize your senses.
-
Add the seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, and cumin. Cook for another minute until the spices become fragrant—this is when you’ll know they are perfectly toasted.
-
Pour in the broth: Add the chicken bone broth to the pot, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. This enhances the flavor of your chili significantly.
-
Mix in the main ingredients: Add the fire-roasted diced tomatoes, black beans, pinto beans, green chiles, corn, and oregano. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
-
Let it simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the chili simmer for 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally; you’ll notice the chili thickening slightly and the flavors blending beautifully during this time.
-
Incorporate the chicken: Stir in the shredded chicken, allowing it to heat through for about 5 minutes.
-
Add the cottage cheese: Remove the pot from the heat, and gently fold in the cottage cheese. Doing this off the heat prevents the cottage cheese from curdling.
-
Season and serve: Finally, season your chili with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve hot with your favorite toppings for an extra burst of flavor.
Tips & Tricks
- Meal Prep: This chili is fantastic for meal prep. Make a big batch and portion it out for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week.
- Spice it Up: If you prefer a spicier chili, consider adding jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
- Beans & Proteins: Feel free to swap out the beans for your favorites or add more protein options like turkey or lean beef.
- Vegan Option: You can make this chili vegan by substituting the chicken with chickpeas or lentils and replacing the cottage cheese with a plant-based yogurt.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
High Protein Chicken Chili pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Consider serving it with:
- Crusty bread: Perfect for dipping and scooping.
- Cornbread: A classic pairing that adds a touch of sweetness.
- Salad: A fresh side of greens can balance the richness of the chili.
- Tortilla chips: Great for crunch and extra texture.
Nutritional Information
This High Protein Chicken Chili is not only satisfying but also nutritious. A typical serving may contain:
- Calories: Approximately 350
- Protein: 40g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fat: 10g
- Fiber: 10g
(Note: Nutritional values may vary based on specific ingredients used.)
Storing Tips & Variations for High Protein Chicken Chili
- Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: This chili freezes beautifully! Portion it into freezer-safe containers for easy defrosting later. It can last up to 3 months in the freezer.
- Flavor Variations: Experiment with different spices like smoked paprika or adjusting the balance of beans to add a unique twist each time.
Conclusion for High Protein Chicken Chili
High Protein Chicken Chili is more than just a meal; it’s an experience that warms the heart and comforts the soul. With its array of flavors, nutritional benefits, and simple preparation, it is a dish you’ll want to enjoy again and again. So why wait? Gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and get ready to enjoy a bowl of this delightful chili!
FAQs
-
Can I use raw chicken instead of cooked?
Yes, you can use raw chicken. Simply add it to the pot at the beginning with the onions and cook until fully shredded before continuing the recipe. -
Is it possible to make this chili in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! You can sauté the onions and peppers first, then transfer everything into a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. -
How spicy is this chili?
The chili has a mild flavor, but you can easily adjust the spice level by adding more chili powder or including jalapeños. -
Can I substitute the cottage cheese?
Yes, you can use plain Greek yogurt for a similar creamy texture without curdling. -
What are some good toppings to add?
Some popular toppings include diced avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, lime wedges, and chopped cilantro. Enjoy customizing your bowl!
High Protein Chicken Chili
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil For sautéing
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder Adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cups chicken bone broth (or regular chicken stock)
- 2 15-oz cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 4-oz can chopped green chiles
- 1/2 cup whole kernel corn
- 1 15-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 15-oz can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 pound cooked chicken, shredded (about 4 cups)
- 3/4 cup cottage cheese (or plain Greek yogurt)
- to taste fine sea salt
- to taste freshly ground black pepper
Optional Toppings
- to taste chopped cilantro
- to taste tortilla chips
- to taste diced avocado
- to taste red onion
- to taste lime wedges
- to taste shredded cheese
- to taste sour cream
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and red bell pepper; sauté for 5-6 minutes until onion is translucent.
- Stir in minced garlic, chili powder, and cumin; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken bone broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Mix in fire-roasted diced tomatoes, black beans, pinto beans, green chiles, corn, and oregano.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
Cooking
- Reduce heat to low and let the chili simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in shredded chicken and heat through for about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and gently fold in cottage cheese.
- Season with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve hot with your favorite toppings.