Adrienne's white bean chicken chili (soup)

I always look forward to the soups that Miss Adrienne cooks up and I always want the recipe afterwards.  This was no different.  I am very much looking forward to her Tortilla Soup this winter and I am already trying some corn-desensitivity training as I plan for it.  Anyway, the other day we got to enjoy more of her delicious soup as we celebrated the hubbin's birthday.  What I especially loved about this chili recipe was that it was less 'stew-like' and more 'soup-ey'.  This leaves much more room for delicious bread (gluten-free, of course) and birthday treats!  Soup is so great for freezing leftovers and having healthy, easy dinners weeks later when you need a night off from cooking.  Even better- look at how simple it is to make! (serves about 4 bigs and 2 littles)

Adrienne's Soup recipe:

1T olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2lb chicken breast, cut in 1/2in pieces and cooked

1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

2 (15 oz) cans white beans, undrained

1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles

1/2tsp ground cumin

1tsp chili powder

1 (14 oz) can chicken broth

2T lime juice

2T minced fresh cilantro (or 1T dried) I usually omit it altogether since i usually have all the other ingredients, but around here cilantro is a specialty item

(Editor's note: Cilantrophobes unite!  I can only assume that by 'specialty item', Adrienne meant 'gross'- I assure you this soup does not suffer from it's absence)

In a large pot, heat olive oil. add onion, garlic and red pepper. saute 5 mins.

Stir in white beans, chilies, cumin, chili powder and broth. bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. stir in chicken and simmer 5 mins. 

Stir in lime juice and cilantro (if you must).






Finished in the Pot.  Yum!


I might even add some celery in with the onions and pep next time for some bonus texture.  Or maybe some zuke just before serving.  Of course we added a touch of pecorino or Pepper Jack just before the spoons!



A final editor's note:  We had it again for left-over's tonite.  Much of the broth was absorbed into the beans and whatnot, so I added some more broth and put in some diced zucchini as I heated it up.  The fresh zuke was a nice contrast with the heat of the soup.  Just enough to make it seem like a slightly different dish for two days in a row.  So tasty!