Great Autumn Meal

I have been cooking but haven't had any really wow recipes lately.  Last night the menu plan had a chicken chili and I was a little reluctant to cook but decided to go ahead, my husband was hungry.

The recipe was good and it was easy.  I was so glad that I cooked. 

Green and White Lightning Chunky Chicken Chili from 30 Minute Get Real Meals by Rachael Ray

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, (I used olive oil)
36 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into bite size pieces
salt and pepper
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 cup tomatillo salsa
4 cups chicken broth
15 ounce can cannellini or Great Northern beans(I used cannellini)
1 handful fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
1 handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (I left this out)
juice of 1 lime
shredded Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese for garnish
corn chips, optional

1. Heat a medium soup pot over medium high heat with the oil.  Add the chicken to the hot oil and season liberally with salt and pepper.  Cook for 2 or 3 minutes, stirring frequently.  (I cooked until the chicken was no longer pink.)
2. Add the onion, garlic, jalapeno, cumin and coriander and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, continuing to stir.  (I let the onion soften.)
3. Add the tomatillo salsa and the chicken broth.  Bring the chili up to a simmer.  Add half the beans.
   
4. With a fork, thoroughly mash the other half of the beans, then add to the chili.  This method will help thicken the chili.
5. Simmer the chili for 10 minutes.  Remove the chili from the heat and add the cilantro, parsley, and lime juice.
   
6. Serve each bowl of chili with a little shredded cheese on top and some corn chips.
   

This was not spicy, just flavorful.  I used Monterey Jack but the Pepper Jack would have been good also.  The recipe saves it serves 4, but that's pretty generous I think, this is a lot of chicken. 

I need to find a cookbook or two that I'll use for my personal menu planning for next week.  I'm pretty busy next week with the YMCA class, 2 clients and teaching for Culinary Business Academy so I need to plan easy meals and leftover possible meals. 

Also maybe no chicken.  I've been on a chicken craving lately so I need to get some fish into the meals. 

Today is a haircut and then maybe nothing much.  I may have to do a quick pick up and deliver errand.

If you haven't made plans yet for Saturday or if you are undecided, check out the cooking demo at the World of Coke with Virginia Willis.  I am fortunate to be able to assist her and we toured the facility yesterday.  It is gorgeous and you'll have a good time.  Also some great food.  Look here for more info  http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/