White Chicken Chili

Are you ready for some severe deliciousness?!  Fall and winter months mean soup around here.  I love making homemade soup for a few reasons...

1. It is delicious.
2. I can control what is in it and the sodium.
3. It is easy.
4. I have leftovers to either freeze, or eat another night during the week.
5. Soups are CHEAP to make!

Have you ever noticed how expensive soups are in restaurants?   I find it crazy that they charge about $3.50 for a cup of soup and nearly $5 for a bowl!  I can make a huge pot of soup for under $10 and mine tastes way better. 

One of our favorites is White Chicken Chili.  I don't have a specific recipe, but I tried to pay attention as I was making it.  You CAN'T mess soup up, so just play around with the spices until you get it how you like it. :)

Wendy's White Chicken Chili

In a large pot (I use my dutch oven) add 1T. EVOO and 1T. butter.  Let the butter melt and then add 1c. chopped celery and 1/2 a large onion.

Once the onions and celery start looking translucent add in one can of diced chili's.  I use mild or medium, but you can use whatever you want.  You can even add two cans if you want.  Then add in 1clove chopped garlic.

 After I give the chili's and garlic a quick stir I add in my chicken broth.  I used 5c. of homemade broth I had frozen.  I didn't have it thawed out, so I let it thaw in the pot.

 After my broth thawed I added 2 cups water (leave this out if you want a thicker chili).  Then I added a 48oz jar of Great Northern beans.  If you have dry beans you can use them.  Just soak them first and your cooking time will be longer.  Then I added 2 cups of shredded chicken.  I made a roasted chicken earlier that week, so mine was cooked.  You can use raw chicken if you plan on cooking it for a while.

Last, but not least...the seasoning!  Use whatever you want, but this is what we like.  Salt, pepper, a pinch of cayenne, and about 1-2 teaspoon(s) chili powder.  

I like to cook mine on low for a few hours.  If you are pressed for time then cook it at a higher temperature.  This is also a great crockpot meal.  

There you have it...a delicious, hearty, healthy soup for a few dollars.  If I had to estimate I would say I spent probably $5-$6 making this. 

Enjoy!

This post has been linked up to Frugal Tuesday Tip!