What should you do with the last tomatoes and peppers of the season? Make this chicken chili recipe, of course!
Print Recipe Jump to RecipeA friend recently texted me and said, “I was glad to see your Instagram post last night. It reminded me to do the same. [My husband] said I was crazy going out in the cold and dark… but I think I would’ve cried this morning if I’d forgotten though!”
Yes, it’s that time of year again – the time in late fall when the cold sets in and backyard gardens give us one last harvest before winter’s sleep sets in.
During my final garden haul this year, I ended up with nearly fourteen pounds of brown beans, peppers, and tomatoes – most of them green. Not wanting them to go to waste, I knew it was time for chicken chili.
This chicken chili is a variation on my dairy-free chicken tortilla soup. The main difference is that this chili focuses more on utilizing fresh produce. If you’re running short on tomatoes, beans, or peppers, you can always visit the tortilla soup recipe for pantry inspiration.
And, if you don’t have a garden this year and are relying on canned goods, check out this six-can tortilla soup that inspired my version.
Tex-Mex Chicken Chili
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Cutting board
- Tomato knife
Ingredients
- 4 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cups green tomatoes, sliced
- 12 oz chicken, cubed
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
- 1 cup dry beans
- 8 oz yellow corn
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 8 cups water
- 2-3 jalapenos, sliced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 6 cloves garlic, chopped
Instructions
- Halve tomatoes and place in a slow cooker. Heat on low for 3 hours.
- Prepare beans using the quick soak method. Place the beans in a pot and add enough water to cover to a depth of one inch. Bring water to a boil; remove from heat, cover, and let soak for 1 hour. Pour off the water and rinse the beans. Add 8 cups water; return to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 hours or until tender.
- Add beans and water to the slow cooker.
- Add chicken, onions, corn, peppers, garlic, and spices to the slow cooker. Adjust heat to high and cook for at least 1 hour or until chicken is done.
- Add lemon juice and serve.
One part Lois Lane, one part Jimmy Olsen, one part Johnboy Walton, and a bit of that Clark Kent secret identity thing thrown in for good measure.
Cara Siera is a freelance writer and photographer with a passion for travel and exotic cuisine. Join Cara, her husband Marc, and one very spoiled German Shepherd on their next great adventure.