Name: Kid-Friendly Chicken Chili
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 sweet onion (chopped); 3 cloves of garlic (minced); 4 boneless chicken thighs (cut into small chunks (this is easy to do when the chicken is still slightly frozen)); 1 tablespoon ground cumin; 1 tablespoon oregano; 1 teaspoon ground sage; 4 cups chicken broth (I used homemade); 4 oz can mild green chilies; 1 can (15oz great northern beans, drained and rinsed); ⅓ cup 40g oat flour (for thickening - Another flour may work or even just a bit of corn starch)

I'm doing it! I'm slowly converting my chili-hating 9-year-old into a chili-loving fan!

First it was a simple ground turkey chili with corn. Last week he tried it hesitantly and ate it for dinner declaring it wasn't his favorite but "he's not a kid anymore so he can eat things he doesn't really like."

Hold the phone... those are HIS WORDS!

My approach seems to be working so far. I can't believe it! Only time will tell if it has the same effect on his brother who is light years more picky, I mean the kid still doesn't like FRUIT?!

Anyway, this week I decided to push the chili envelope and make a simple, chicken chili. Nothing too spicy or crazy. Just simple flavors and ingredients.

He tried it and knew I was waiting for his reaction. With my back turned to him he said, "Well, I won't say I DON'T like it."

Then came the kicker...

"Can I have some more?"

YES! I made a happy face before I turned and then controlled my reaction and just said, "Sure, glad you like it."

I then snuck this photo while he was eating because he's not as much of a willing participant as he used to be in my blog endeavors.

I can't believe how big he's getting. It's crazy!

Anyway, I absolutely LOVED it and ate the rest for lunch yesterday. It's such a great meal on these cold winter days.

Here's what I did...

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 sweet onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
4 boneless chicken thighs, cut into small chunks (this is easy to do when the chicken is still slightly frozen)
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon oregano
1 teaspoon ground sage
4 cups chicken broth (I used homemade)
4 oz can mild green chilies
1 can (15oz) great northern beans, drained and rinsed
⅓ cup (40g) oat flour (for thickening - Another flour may work or even just a bit of corn starch)

Instructions

Heat the oil in a pot and sauté the onion and garlic. Add the chicken and spices. Cook until no more pink is seen on the chicken. The bottom of the pot may stick a little. That's OK, we deglaze with the broth.

Add the broth and scrape all those tasty bits up from the bottom. Bring everything to a soft boil and add the green chilies and beans.

I like a thicker sauce so I decided to mix in a little oat flour. Whisk the oat flour with a bit of water and add the paste to the pot so it dissolves evenly. Continue to lightly boil for 10 minutes or so and then lower to a simmer until you are ready to eat. Mine simmered only about 20 minutes and it was yummy!

I added sliced avocado to mine and it was a great addition! But I didn't even try to go there with Ryan. Baby steps, right?

Here's the nutritional info per cup (pictured) but I ate 2 cups for a complete meal.

📖 Recipe