Chicken Chili with Hominy

From EatingWell: January/February 1999 — Subscribe Now!

Traditional Mexican techniques combine with spicy Southwestern chic for a creamy "white" (chicken) chili. The chili is thickened with corn tortillas, which also contribute to its rich corn flavor.

READER'S COMMENT:

"This is great, and my two young kids like it too. It is great quick meal. I have started adding canned chipotle chilis also when I have them on hand. Nancy, Minneapolis, MN "

6 servings, 1 1/2 cups each

Active Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

4 corn tortillas
12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
Salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, or canola oil
2 small red bell peppers, seeded and diced
1 large onion, chopped
1 4-ounce can chopped green chiles
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 14-ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cups low-fat milk
2 15-ounce cans white hominy, rinsed
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
6 lime wedges

Preparation

Place a tortilla directly on a stovetop burner set at medium-low and toast, turning frequently with tongs, until light golden and fragrant, 30 to 60 seconds. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Cut tortillas into 1-inch-wide strips and set aside.
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, stirring often, until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Add remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil to pan. Add bell peppers and onion; season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add chiles, garlic, chili powder, cumin and oregano; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add chicken broth and milk and bring to a simmer, stirring. Stir in reserved tortilla strips, chicken and hominy.
Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and chili has thickened, about 20 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup cilantro. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve with remaining cilantro and lime wedges.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Per serving: 251 calories; 6 g fat (2 g sat, 3 g mono); 37 mg cholesterol; 30 g carbohydrates; 18 g protein; 5 g fiber; 313 mg sodium; 265 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (69% daily value), Vitamin A (31% dv), Selenium (20% dv), Calcium (15% dv).

1 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 1/2 starch, 1/2 low-fat milk, 1 vegetable, 1 1/2 lean meat, 1/2 fat