12 Days of Christmas treats: winter white edition
Day 2: white chili with avocado cilantro topping
cold and snowy = chili!
As long as I can remember, cold snowy days are a perfect match for a big bowl of chili. There is something about a bubbling pot on the stove that makes everything feel alright. It is really a good feeling knowing that we have to have something warm and delicious to look forward to. Chili and soup are the best ways to survive a Wisconsin winter. Traditional chili is a great way to take away the chill, but every once in awhile it is fun to shake things up a bit! For this reason, I present to you our favorite white chili.
isn’t it great when the white chili matches the snowstorm outside your window??
When I was growing up, I can’t remember being exposed to white chili. There were many versions of the traditional kind, but it had not occurred to me that there was such an updated version. Flash forward to a time many years ago when I was hosting a baby shower in the middle of January. I wanted to serve something warm and cozy that everyone would enjoy. I liked that the white chili was a lighter version of the original, but still packed a spicy punch. Another key point was that the white chili matched the snowstorm that was brewing outside my kitchen window. The good news is that it was a hit, and looked so beautiful in my snowman mugs with matching sandwich trays!
secret ingredient alert….
My version of white chili begins in a traditional way. Onions and garlic are sauteed in the bottom of a big soup pot or dutch oven. The chicken stock is added along with the chili spices. I like to use a chipotle pepper to spice things up even more. Finally the white cannellini beans and chicken are added to the pot. Of course my version has to boast a secret “what is that flavor” ingredient. One bottle of beer enhances all of the other flavors.
get ready for a delicious avocado topping!!
I like to prepare a chopped avocado topping, instead of putting individual condiments out for your family and friends. The topping consists of freshly chopped avocado, cilantro, and fresh lime zest and juice. The avocado mixture is quickly scooped on the top of the piping hot chili for the perfect first bite. Suddenly you have a whole new chili to enjoy!
Printwhite chili with avocado cilantro topping
a spicy white chili topped with an avocado cilantro topping will keep you warm all winter!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: chili
- Method: cook top
- Cuisine: main dish
Ingredients
10 shallots chopped
7 cloves of garlic minced
2–3 TB olive oil
2 cartons of chicken broth
3 chicken breasts cooked and chopped (may use a rotisserie chicken if desired)
3 15 oz cans of white cannellini beans draines and rinsed
1 1/2 tsp chipotle powder
1 1/2 tsp cumin
one tsp salt
1 tsp dry mustard
1 1/2 tsp dry oregano
one bottle of beer
1/2 cup whipping cream
Topping
1 avocado peeled and chopped into bite size pieces
juice and zest from 1 lime
1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro
Instructions
Heat olive oil in the bottom of large soup pan
Saute onions in pan for 5 minutes
Remove from heat and add minced garlic
Return to heat and saute for 1 minute being careful not to burn the garlic
Add chicken stock and spices and bring to boil
Reduce to a simmer and add chicken breasts
Add beer and continue to simmer for 20 minutes
Add whipping cream and simmer for additional 20 minutes
While chili is simmering mix topping ingredients in a medium bowl
Ladle into serving bowls and top with avocado topping and serve immediately
0
Leave a Reply