Freezer Friendly White Chili with Chicken

 My husband loves chili, and I love a simple recipe that comes out perfect every time. This recipe satisfies both of our needs. I make a double batch and freeze it individually so he can take it for lunch. It reheats well in a microwave. This is a recipe that adapts well to any vegetables you want to add to it. I use vegetables that are currently in season from a local farm. This way I can have hearty delicious chili with fresh vegetables in the middle of winter.

Freezer Friendly White Chili with Chicken

1Tbsp butter
1 large Onion chopped
1 cup Shredded Carrot
4 chicken breast, cubed
1Tbsp ground cumin
1 chicken Bouillon cube
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
2 14.5 oz cans Chicken Broth
2 15 oz cans Cannelloni beans, drained and rinsed
1 minced jalapeno
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup milk
Garnish with:
Green onions, sour cream and cheddar cheese

Heat a heavy bottomed stock pot over medium high heat. Melt the butter and add the onions and carrots. Cook until onions are translucent, then add chicken. You may need to cook the chicken in batches if your pot isn’t large enough on the bottom in order to get a nice color to the chicken. Other wise you will steam the chicken. Once all the chicken is cooked, return to the pot and add seasonings, broth, 2 cans of beans, jalapeno and cilantro. Bring to a boil and then turn on low. Mix together the flour and milk in a separate bowl. Slowly add to soup and once mixed simmer for 20 min.

To freeze:  Cool the chili, and then place in plastic freezer containers with tight fitting lids. Leave room for the liquid to expand when it freezes, if you don’t the top can come off and your food may get freezer burn. Label, date, and freeze.

To reheat:
Stove top- place chili in saucepan with 1/4 cup water and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until reheated.

Microwave: The night before, remove the chili from the freezer and place in the refrigerator to thaw. Time will vary depending on the size of the container from 1-5 minutes. Be careful when removing because the liquid will be very hot.