Salsa verde white chicken chili

Directions

  1. 1Char the ingredients for the salsa verde, let them cool, then add to a blender.
  2. 2Peel garlic and add the rest of the seasonings to the blender, then blend and set aside the salsa verde.
  3. 3Sear chicken thighs in olive oil until golden and cooked through.
  4. 4Remove cooked chicken and set aside.
  5. 5Sauté poblano, jalapeño, and onion with a pinch of salt and pepper until soft.
  6. 6Add bay leaf and garlic.
  7. 7Clear a center in the pan, add a little extra oil, and pour seasonings into toast to bring out their flavor.
  8. 8Add in a frozen hatch chili (optional) or green chilies.
  9. 9Add a splash of non-alcoholic beer to deglaze the pot (optional).
  10. 10Blend one can of beans with a ladle of hot broth.
  11. 11Stir the blended beans back into the pot.
  12. 12Add the shredded chicken along with the other can of whole beans to the pot.
  13. 13Remove the bay leaf.
  14. 14Turn off the heat.
  15. 15Finish with lime zest, juice, crema, and cilantro.
  16. 16Stir and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  17. 17Ladle into bowls, add toppings, and enjoy.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • Salt
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 poblano peppers, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, diced (seeds removed for less heat)
  • 0.5 cup roasted Hatch chiles, chopped (optional; or substitute 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles)
  • 6 to cloves garlic, minced
  • Splash of beer, optional (for deglazing)
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups homemade salsa verde
  • 2 cans white beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup fire-roasted corn kernels (optional)
  • 0.5 Zest of lime, to taste
  • 1 Juice of lime, to taste
  • 0.5 cup Mexican crema, room temperature
  • 0.5 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano (Mexican oregano if available)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 2 tsp chili powder, divided
  • 1 tsp Aleppo pepper
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 bay leaf (optional)

Equipment

blenderpan

Tips

  • Making salsa verde from scratch adds freshness and depth.
  • Using chicken thighs keeps the chicken juicier and enriches the broth.
  • Blending one can of beans makes the chili creamy without making it too thick.