CREAMY WHITE CHICKEN CHILI

This is a recipe from the blog Mel's Kitchen Cafe. A friend served this meal to our family and we have loved it since then! I always double the recipe for our family. I also use a rotisserie chicken from Costco in place of the boneless skinless chicken breasts called for. It is tasty with diced avocado and tortilla chips on top. Enjoy!

serves 4-6

1 tablespoon oil (I use extra-light olive oil--not the same as extra virgin olive oil)

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (leave whole for slow cooker method)
Salt and pepper

1 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)

1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced

2 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) Great Northern Beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth (about 1 3/4 cups)

2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chiles

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup heavy cream

Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Shredded cheese, tortilla chips, other toppings (optional)

Stovetop Directions: Season the cut-up chicken breast pieces with salt and pepper to taste. In a 4- or 5-quart pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chicken, onion, and garlic powder (or fresh garlic, if using). Cook, stirring occasionally, for 1-2 minutes, until the onion starts to soften (it's okay if the chicken isn't cooked all the way; it will cook through in the next step).

Add the beans, broth, chiles, salt, cumin, oregano, pepper and cayenne. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 15 to 30 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in the sour cream and cream. Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately with other toppings of choice, if desired.

Slow Cooker Directions: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste. In a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker, place 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts whole (without cutting into pieces). Add the chopped onion, garlic powder, beans, green chiles and all of the spices. Do not add the sour cream or whipping cream yet!

Reduce the chicken broth to 12 ounces (about 1 1/2 cups) and pour in over the other ingredients. Stir the mixture around a bit to incorporate the dry spices. Cook on low for 5-7 hours.

Remove the chicken to a cutting board and shred in bite-size pieces (or use a couple forks and shred right in the slow cooker). Add the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker.

In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the sour cream and whipping cream until smooth. Whisk the cream mixture into the crockpot with the other ingredients. Let the chili warm through on low temperature. Serve.