My ground chicken chili is everything a lean-meat chili usually isn't — thick, rich and loaded with protein and fiber from a hearty mix of beans and red lentils. It's one pot, weeknight-easy and somehow even better the next day.
1can(14 oz / 400 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
1can(14 oz / 400 g) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
½cup(90g)red lentils
1cup(250ml)chicken stock
Fresh cilantro to garnish
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Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and red bell pepper and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion
1 medium red bell pepper
4 garlic cloves
Add the ground chicken and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, breaking it up with your spoon, until it's no longer pink.
1 pound ground chicken
Stir in the chili powder, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cinnamon, salt and black pepper and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute.
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, black beans, cannellini beans, red lentils and chicken stock. Stir well to combine.
1 can (14 oz / 400 g) crushed tomatoes
1 can (14 oz / 400 g) black beans
1 can (14 oz / 400 g) cannellini beans
½ cup red lentils
1 cup chicken stock
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 25 to 30 minutes, until the red lentils have dissolved and the chili is thick and rich. Add a splash more stock if it gets too thick.
Season to taste, then garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with your favorite toppings.
Fresh cilantro to garnish
Video
Notes
The red lentils are what thicken this chili, so give them the full simmer to dissolve completely. They'll keep absorbing liquid as the chili sits, so loosen leftovers with a little stock or water when reheating.
For a spicier chili, add a chopped jalapeño with the garlic or a pinch of cayenne with the spices.