Ina Garten’s Comforting Winter Chili Recipe Swaps One Main Ingredient for a ‘Healthier’ (Yet, Still Delicious!) Alternative
Everyone has a different family recipe for making chili. Whether you like elbow noodles or beans (or both, like in my family!), spicy or mild, cornbread or chips, there are so many different and equally delicious takes on this comforting winter recipe. But Ina Garten just made one of the most surprising swaps of all. She changed out one of the dish’s main ingredients for a “healthier” alternative, so you can enjoy your favorite comfort food and keep up with your New Year’s resolutions at the same time.
The swap in question? The beef! The Barefoot Contessa used chicken instead of beef to make her winter chili, and we are definitely going to have to try this.
In a new video shared on Food Network’s YouTube Channel, Garten shared all the details on how to make her Winter Chicken Chili. She starts by sautéing onions in olive oil on the stove, then adds chopped garlic, bell peppers, and a variety of spices to liven up the dish. After adding a few more ingredients, it’s time for the main meat of the dish: the chicken!
“This is a chicken that I cooked on the bone with the skin on it, and it really keeps it moist,” Garten praises. After it’s roasted, she tears off the bone with her hands and then chops it in “big chunks” for the chili. It looks so mouth-wateringly good, you’ll wonder why you’ve never made chili with chicken before!
When it’s done cooking, she serves her chicken chili with cheese, chips, sour cream, and tomatoes, but you can offer whatever toppings your family enjoys. A nice warm cornbread is a favorite at my house!
‘Tis the season for hot and delicious chili and soups, so check out our guide for more creamy and delicious soup inspiration. And be sure to get Garten’s full Winter Chili Chicken recipe HERE.
Before you go, check out our slideshow below: