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Test Kitchen Approved

Chunky Chili

Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

About

On a chilly day, something filling and warm is a must for the dinner menu. Chunky Chili, to the rescue! A green chile-seasoned broth with seared chicken, melted Monterey Jack cheese, and crushed tortilla chips is a hearty, flavorful, satisfying bowl that hugs you, heart and soul (and tummy, too)! Served with cheesy tortilla crisps, Chunky Chili is the best choice to chase your chill away. Have a bowl... or two!

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Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 pound chicken breasts or thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 (19-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño peppers, shredded, divided
  • 1 (4.5-ounce) can diced green chiles
  • 1 (14-ounce) can reduced sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3 cups tortilla chips, 2 cups, crushed, 1 cup, whole, divided
  • fresh cilantro leaves, optional, to taste, for garnish

Directions

Step 1 -Turn the oven to the broil setting.

Step 2 -Line an 18x26-inch baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with nonstick spray.

Step 3 -In a 5-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the olive oil.

Step 4 -Add the chicken pieces to the heated olive oil and cook until they are browned.

Step 5 -Add the cannellini beans, 1 cup of the Monterey Jack cheese, the green chiles and their juices, the chicken broth, the water, and 2 cups of the crushed tortilla chips to the browned chicken, stirring occasionally, and bring to a boil.

Step 6 -Reduce the stovetop heat to medium-low and let it simmer, uncovered, until the chicken pieces reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 5 minutes.

Step 7 -On the prepared baking sheet, add the remaining tortilla chips and evenly sprinkle the remaining Monterey Jack cheese over the chips.

Step 8 -Broil about 6-inches from the heat source until the cheese is melted and begins to brown, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 9 -Ladle the chili into individual bowls, garnish with the cilantro, and serve with the cheese-covered tortilla crisps.

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