Chicken And White Bean Chili

Ingredients

• 3 chicken breasts
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Coarse sea salt
• Black pepper
• 2 cups diced yellow onions
• 1 cup diced red bell pepper (seeded and stem discarded)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3/4 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp sweet pimentos
• 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes with juice
• 14-ounce can navy beans, rinsed and drained
• Toppings (choose one or more) cilantro, lime wedges, finely diced red onion, hot sauce or yogurt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
2. Rub the chicken breasts with 1 tbsp olive oil, season aggressively with salt and pepper, then place in an oven-safe baking pan.
3. Roast until they are firm to the touch and cooked through - about 25 minutes.
4. Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred the meat with your fingers and set aside.
5. Heat remaining 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add onions, bell peppers, garlic, cumin, chili powder, pimentos and large pinch of salt.
6. Cook stirring occasionally.
7. Once the vegetables are softened but not browned - about 10 minutes - add the tomatoes and another pinch of salt and turn up the heat.
8. Once the mixture comes to a boil, turn the heat to low and cook for about 30 minutes until the tomatoes begin to break down.
9. Use your spoon to break the tomatoes up a bit then add the beans and the chicken to the pot, stir to combine.
10. Add a splash of water - about 1/3 cup if the chili looks a bit dry.
11. Simmer for 15-20 minutes before seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.
12. Garnish with favorite topping.