A creamy chicken apple cheddar chili filled with white beans and lots of cheddar. A bit non-traditional but perfect for fall!
It’s kind of funny timing that I’m sharing this recipe with you guys now. Five years ago when we moved back to NY from Florida, we moved into my in-laws’ house. They lived down in Florida and their house up here was empty so it was kind of perfect after we had just taken a huge hit selling our Florida home while the real estate market was literally nose-diving on a daily basis.
Their house in NY was already furnished and we somehow managed to move all our furniture from our 4-bedroom home into that house too. Needless to say, it was packed to the gills and we basically lived in the 2 rooms we were able to keep clear of boxes and excess furniture.
I think I mentally blocked out a lot of the year we lived there because I really struggled with how to find comfort in the temporariness of the whole situation. Work was crazy that year as I was responsible for double the client load of my peers, we had just opened a new office and after working at home for 2 years in Florida, I now had a normal work commute like the rest of the world.
I was stressed, constantly scouring realtor.com and trying to convince Ulysses to prematurely jump back into buying a house and perpetually obsessing about what was “next” for us.
The one and only thing I remember bringing contentment to my neurotic self at the time was cooking.
I had a Rachael Ray magazine subscription and I’m pretty sure I made about 75% of the recipes in each issue. It must’ve been the September issue that I found this recipe for white chicken chili with apples. I made it at least 10 times that fall and winter, it became my go to “warm & cozy” meal for the season.
We bought this house the following spring and for 4 years I forgot about it.
Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago right after we found out we would be selling this house and inevitably moving in with my parents for a bit until we figure out the next step and this cheddar chicken chili comes popping back into my head.
I think it needs to be renamed “sanity from temporary housing woes chili” or something to the effect.
Hopefully I’ll be able to enjoy the moment a bit more this time around than last and not drive myself as nuts as I did in 2008 but if not, at least there will be a few good meals to be had this winter, this chicken apple cheddar chili included.
I’m pretty sure my parents won’t mind that.
Need a cozy fall side to go with this chicken apple chili? Try these pumpkin scones. They’re great paired with this chili or pumpkin chili!
More chili recipes to check out:
Kabocha Squash Chili
Turkey Chili Pie
Spicy Hummus Turkey Chili
Vegetable Barley Chili
Spicy Porter Short Rib Chili
Chicken Apple Cheddar Chili
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- salt & pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 2 apples, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons flour, use gluten-free if needed
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup milk
- 7 ounces canned green chiles
- 14 ounces canned cannelini beans, rinsed & drained
- 14 ounces canned chick peas, rinsed & drained
- 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- scallions for garnish
- sour cream or greek yogurt for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken, salt, pepper, chili powder and cumin and stir together.
- Cook until chicken is browned on all sides and then transfer to a bowl.
- Add the apples and onion to the dutch oven and saute in the chicken drippings until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the chicken.
- Add the butter to the pot. Once melted, add the flour and whisk together, cooking for about 30 seconds.
- Add the chicken broth and milk and whisk constantly until the mixture thickens, about 3 minutes.
- Once thickened, add the chicken, apples and onions from the bowl to the pot.
- Add the beans and the chiles, stir to combine everything and let heat through, about 2 minutes.
- Add the cheddar last, stir until it melts.
- Garnish with scallions and/or sour cream or greek yogurt.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
looks delicious!
This looks perfect!
YESSSS! Another chili that I can eat. I’m going to have to sub out a bunch of garlic for the onion, but I am going to try making this over the weekend. Thanks for sharing! Been missing chili.
Adding this to my list of things to make ASAP! Love the sweet/savory combination,especially now that fall is in full swing. Thanks!
Oh my goodness, this looks delicious! I love the flavor combination. And your photos are gorgeous!
I swear chili will cure any kind of craziness or stress in your life. Now, I need to make a batch!
I absolutely love chili in the fall and winter seasons. Who knew you could add apples to the dish. I can’t wait to try it out.
This is such a creative chili! I love apples and they would totally make a yummy addition…especially with cheddar! Looks delishhhh
I love your name for this, not the real name but the secondary name :) I’ve seriously never thought to add apples to chili! But if you insist… ;)
Er…am I missing the apples in the recipe?
They’re in there! Below the cumin, above the onions in the ingredient list and step #4 in the directions :)
I see them there but not in the ingredients -how many apples?
DOH! I see it now :)
It’s below the cumin in the ingredient list. It says “2 apples, chopped”