Chicken Salsa Chili

Nothing chases away the winter doldrums quite like a bowl of chili with all the fixings. This recipe is from some swishy cafe around here that I am not allowed to enter. My Susan has tweaked it enough to claim it as her own. That's one of the things I like about cooking. Make a pot of chili, add peanut butter and bacon, and it becomes Carmella's Chili.

Serve with Banana Cheese Empanadas or cornbread.

Hint: Best made a day ahead but perfectly tasty right away.

Chicken Salsa Chili

2-3 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces (optional, how is this optional?!)
salt, pepper, powdered garlic to season chicken

1 large chopped yellow onion

1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili pepper flakes (or to taste)

1 tablespoon minced or crushed fresh garlic

1 can (4 oz)  diced green chilis (or 2 teaspoons minced fresh jalapeno chili peppers)

1 1/2 cups chicken broth (Swanson Natural) or vegetable stock (Pacific) 

2-3 tablespoons chili powder

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes (Muir Glen, in adobe sauce is tasty)

1 can (29 ounces) tomato puree

2 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans drained 

1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans (aka chick peas)

1 tablespoon djion mustard

splash of red wine (optional)

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice

In a skillet: 
In olive oil, sauté chicken, seasoned with salt, pepper, powdered garlic, until cooked. Set aside.

In a large stock pot:
In olive oil, sauté onions and reduce heat. Add pepper flakes, garlic, green chilis, chicken or vegie stock, chili powder, and cumin. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Add the cooked chicken, crushed tomatoes and tomato puree,  pinto beans and garbanzo beans. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir occasionally so it doesn't burn.

To serve:
Add chopped cilantro and limejuice just prior to serving. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Top with chopped cilantro, sour cream or sour lean, chopped red onions, grated cheddar cheese, guacamole and/or tortilla chips.

Cafe Latte Chicken Salsa Chili recipe