Onion-Free and Garlic-Free Chicken Chili Recipe

(19 ratings)

Total Time: 45 min

Prep Time: 5 min

Cook Time: 40 min

Servings: 8

Nutrition Highlights (per serving)

318 calories

10g fat

30g carbs

28g protein

Show Nutrition Label

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories	318
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g	13%
Saturated Fat 3g	15%
Cholesterol 84mg	28%
Sodium 340mg	15%
Total Carbohydrate 30g	11%
Dietary Fiber 7g	25%
Total Sugars 4g
Includes 0g Added Sugars	0%
Protein 28g
Vitamin D 0mcg	0%
Calcium 83mg	6%
Iron 4mg	22%
Potassium 1197mg	25%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Is onion-free and garlic-free chili just a pipe dream? Making chili without onions or garlic is a double challenge: Not only do virtually all chili recipes include one or both of these ingredients, but you'll normally find one or both in commercial chili powders.

The solution? Make your own by using other aromatics to build a satisfying flavor and by using the other flavor components of spice mixes like fresh peppers and spices to add heat and that indescribable "chili"-ness.

Ground chicken can take the place of higher fat ground meat such as beef while providing protein, B vitamins like thiamin, vitamin B6, and pantothenic acid, and minerals such as iron, zinc, and copper. Regular poultry consumption along with getting plenty of vegetables is associated with less risk of becoming overweight or obese, and reduces the risks of cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Based on a rice-and-bean chili my family ate often when I was growing up, no one will guess anything's unusual about this party-ready onion-free, garlic-free chicken chili recipe. It's free from all "big eight" food allergens to boot.

Ingredients

2 red bell peppers, cored and diced
2 serrano peppers, seeded and minced
2 lbs ground chicken
1 tsp salt, or to taste
2 tsp black pepper, or to taste
3 tbsp ground red pepper
3 tbsp Hungarian paprika
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
15.5-ounce can black beans
2 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes (with juice)
1/2 cup uncooked white rice, rinsed and drained

Preparation

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat a small amount of oil over medium-low heat. Cook peppers gently for about 5 minutes, or until they barely start to brown.
Add chicken to pot and brown on all sides over medium heat (you may need to add a little more oil), about 8 to 10 minutes. When the chicken has browned, add salt and pepper, ground red pepper, paprika, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Stir thoroughly to coat chicken and peppers with spices.
Add chicken broth, beans, and tomatoes to a pot and gently bring to a boil. When mixture boils, add rice, stir, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for at least 25 minutes. Stir every 15 to 20 minutes to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pan while simmering. After the rice is cooked, taste and adjust the salt and pepper, if desired.
Serve immediately, or simmer longer for a deeper flavor.

Variations and Substitutions

Try using chicken thighs instead of ground chicken, if desired. Although they are slightly more expensive than bone-in whole chicken thighs, you'll find that boneless thighs are the easiest to use for this recipe.

Switch out or add some canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce or some smoked paprika for a more smokey flavored chili.

Ground beef or pork can also be substituted for ground chicken. Note that this will change the recipe's nutrition information.

Kidney beans or any white bean can replace the black beans in this chili.

Cooking and Serving Tips

Chili is ready after the rice is cooked but it can be simmered further—up to several hours—for an even stronger flavor. Simmer uncovered if you want a thicker chili and covered if you prefer a more soup-like texture.
Top the chili with cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and tortilla strips.
This chili stores in the refrigerator for about a week and in the freezer for at least three months.

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