Chicken Chili Recipe

Some of the most treasured recipes come from the most unexpected places, traveling through friends and family until they find their way into our hearts and kitchens. This chicken chili carries with it a beautiful journey from Virginia Beach to Maine, and finally into The Yellow Notebook that holds so many precious family recipes.

The Story of The Yellow Notebook

The Yellow Notebook is full of recipes that my Mother compiled for me many years ago. Recently I came across a Chicken Chili recipe that tells its own wonderful story. It's actually a recipe that my older sister, Lynn, made for her when she visited Maine. And I think the recipe made it to Maine via one of Lynn's friends in Virginia Beach.

It was one of my Mom's favorites, and I cannot wait to try it this year. The beauty of family recipe collections like The Yellow Notebook is how they capture not just ingredients and instructions, but the connections between people and the love that travels with each shared dish.

A Different Take on Traditional Chili

This chicken chili is a bit more traditional than my usual chili recipe, but it, too, has a curious twist - adding a jar of picante sauce and salsa. This combination creates layers of flavor that you simply can't achieve with traditional chili seasonings alone. The picante sauce adds heat and tang, while the salsa brings fresh tomato flavor and additional spices that make this chili truly special.

What makes this recipe particularly appealing is its simplicity and the way it builds flavor through quality ingredients rather than complicated techniques. It's the kind of recipe that busy families can rely on for a satisfying, warming meal that everyone will love.

Why This Chicken Chili Works

Unlike traditional beef chili, chicken chili offers a lighter but equally satisfying alternative that's perfect for any season. The white beans (Great Northern beans work beautifully) provide protein and fiber while creating a creamy texture that balances the acidity of the tomatoes and the heat from the picante sauce.

The combination of crushed tomatoes, picante sauce, and salsa creates a complex flavor base that would take hours to develop using individual spices. It's a smart shortcut that delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

Ingredients

3 cooked chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes
1 cup chopped white onion
1 cup chopped green peppers
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 (14 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
2 cans white beans (Great Northern preferred), drained and rinsed
1 (16 oz) jar picante sauce
1 (16 oz) jar salsa (mild, medium, or hot - your preference)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons oil for cooking

Directions

Sauté the vegetables: In a Dutch oven, add oil and heat until it sizzles. Add onion, green pepper, and crushed garlic. Stir until vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the chicken: Add chicken cubes to the pot and stir to combine with the vegetables.
Build the base: Add crushed tomatoes, white beans, picante sauce, salsa, chili powder, and cumin. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
Cook and simmer: Cook at medium heat for 30 minutes, then reduce to low and simmer until ready to serve. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld together.
Serve with style: Serve with corn chips, shredded cheddar cheese, and sour cream, just like Mom always did.

Yield: 6-8 servings

Pro Tips for Perfect Results

Chicken Prep: Use rotisserie chicken for convenience, or poach chicken breasts in seasoned broth for extra flavor
Vegetable Texture: Don't rush the sautéing - properly softened vegetables create the flavor foundation
Heat Level: Choose your salsa heat level based on your family's preferences - you can always add hot sauce later
Bean Choice: Great Northern beans hold their shape well, but cannellini or navy beans work too
Simmering Time: The longer you simmer, the better the flavors develop - perfect for slow weekend cooking
Make Ahead: This chili tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to meld

Delicious Variations

Spice It Up: Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne for extra heat
Corn Addition: Stir in a cup of corn kernels for sweetness and texture
Bean Variety: Try a mix of white and black beans for visual appeal
Smoky Twist: Add a teaspoon of smoked paprika for depth
Fresh Herbs: Stir in fresh cilantro just before serving
Cheese Integration: Stir in cream cheese during the last few minutes for extra richness

Perfect Serving Suggestions

Mom said she always served it with corn chips, cheddar cheese, and sour cream - and that's still the perfect combination. The corn chips add crunch, the cheese provides richness, and the sour cream cools any heat while adding creaminess.

Other delicious toppings and sides include:

Sliced avocado or guacamole
Fresh chopped cilantro
Lime wedges for brightness
Warm cornbread or crusty bread
Baked sweet potatoes as a base
Over rice for a heartier meal

Mom's Final Word: "Experiment!"

In the last sentence of the recipe, she urged me to "Experiment!"...if she only knew! That single word perfectly captures the spirit of home cooking - taking a good foundation and making it your own. This recipe is wonderfully adaptable and welcomes your personal touches.

Whether you add different vegetables, adjust the spice level, or try new toppings, this chicken chili provides the perfect canvas for culinary creativity. It's the kind of recipe that grows with you, becoming better each time you make it as you discover what your family loves most.

The Legacy of Recipe Collections

The Yellow Notebook represents something precious - the way recipes connect us across time and distance. This chicken chili traveled from a friend in Virginia Beach to my sister Lynn in Maine, then to my mother's kitchen, and finally to mine. Each stop along the way added love and memories to the recipe.

When we cook these family recipes, we're not just making dinner - we're continuing conversations, honoring relationships, and keeping connections alive. Every time I make this chili, I think of Mom's encouragement to experiment, Lynn's generosity in sharing, and the unknown friend in Virginia Beach who started this delicious journey.

That's the real magic of family recipes - they're seasoned with stories and served with love, creating new memories while honoring the old ones.