The Chill Night Barefoot Contessa Chicken Chili Recipe for Cozy Nights

Barefoot Contessa Chicken Chili represents comfort food at its finest, transforming simple ingredients into a soul-warming experience.

Rich aromatics and robust flavors dance through this vibrant dish, promising warmth and satisfaction in every spoonful.

Home cooks adore this recipe for its straightforward preparation and crowd-pleasing results.

Southwestern-inspired seasonings elevate the tender chicken, creating depth beyond typical chili preparations.

Hearty beans and a silky tomato foundation make this meal both nutritious and indulgent.

Families gather eagerly around steaming bowls, anticipating each delectable bite of this crowd-favorite recipe: get ready to impress everyone at your table.

Why Chicken Chili Brings the Heat and the Comfort

• Flavor-Packed Comfort: This chicken chili delivers a robust, warming taste with layers of spices like chili powder, cumin, and red pepper flakes that dance together perfectly.
• Versatile Meal Magic: Easily customize your bowl with toppings like crunchy corn chips, tangy sour cream, or melted cheddar cheese, making every serving a personalized delight.
• Stress-Free Cooking Method: The recipe breaks down into simple steps – roast chicken, simmer vegetables, combine – making it friendly for home cooks of all skill levels without complicated techniques.
• Make-Ahead Wonder: This chili tastes even better the next day, allowing busy home cooks to prepare in advance and enjoy a quick, delicious meal with minimal last-minute effort.

Ingredients That Build Layers of Cozy Heat

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that forms the hearty foundation of the chili, best when fresh and boneless.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the chicken's natural flavor.

• Onions, Bell Peppers: Provide sweet and crisp base flavor, adding depth and texture to the chili.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that brings robust and warm undertones to the dish.
• Crushed Tomatoes, Basil: Rich, tangy base that adds moisture and herbal freshness to the chili.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Red Pepper Flakes, Cayenne: Blend of spices that creates complex, warming heat and traditional chili flavor profile.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté vegetables and roast chicken, adding subtle richness to the dish.

• Chopped Onions, Corn Chips, Grated Cheddar, Sour Cream: Classic garnishes that add crunch, sharpness, and cooling contrast to the spicy chili.

Make Your Chicken Chili Bold and Soulful

Step 1: Prep The Aromatic Vegetable Base

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic
• Bell peppers

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Red pepper flakes
• Cayenne
• Salt

Stir and cook for 1 minute. Pour in crushed tomatoes and basil. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 2: Roast The Tender Chicken

• Rubbing with olive oil
• Seasoning with salt and pepper

Place on a baking tray and roast for 35-40 minutes until fully cooked. Allow to cool slightly, then remove meat from bones and skin. Chop into bite-sized chunks.

Step 3: Combine And Simmer

Add chopped chicken to the simmering vegetable base. Continue cooking uncovered for 20 minutes to blend flavors.

Step 4: Garnish And Serve

• Chopped fresh onions
• Crispy corn chips
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Cool sour cream

Tip: Can be refrigerated and gently reheated before serving.

Chili Hacks for Richer, Heartier Flavor

• Boost Freshness with Herbs: Chop fresh basil right before serving to add a bright, aromatic finish that elevates the entire dish.
• Master Chicken Moisture: Pull chicken from heat the moment it's fully cooked to ensure tender, juicy meat that doesn't dry out.
• Customize Your Spice Level: Start with a small amount of cayenne and gradually add more until you reach your perfect heat intensity.
• Create Rustic Tomato Texture: Squeeze whole tomatoes by hand to release natural juices and create a more authentic, homemade chili consistency.
• Develop Rich, Deep Flavors: Let the chili simmer on low heat for an extra 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and intensify the overall taste profile.

Smart Storage Moves for Leftover Chili Nights

• Freezer Preservation: Seal the chili in heavy-duty freezer bags, removing all air to prevent freezer burn. Extract maximum flavor by dividing portions into individual servings, making future meal prep a breeze. Label each bag with the date and contents for easy tracking.
• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer chili to glass containers with tight-fitting lids to maintain freshness and prevent flavor absorption from other foods. Consume within three days for optimal taste and texture. Keep the container toward the back of the refrigerator where temperature remains most consistent.
• Reheating Technique: Warm chili slowly in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent scorching.

Add Some Spark to Your Next Chili Bowl

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Chili: Replace bell peppers with roasted poblano peppers and add jalapeños for extra heat. Incorporate black beans and corn kernels for a hearty southwestern flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Chicken Chili: Swap chili powder with oregano and add kalamata olives. Use feta cheese instead of cheddar and garnish with fresh parsley. Replace crushed tomatoes with sun-dried tomato paste for a richer Mediterranean taste.
• Green Chile Chicken Chili: Use green enchilada sauce instead of crushed tomatoes. Add diced green chiles and swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese. Incorporate tomatillos for a tangy, bright green color and unique flavor.
• Smoky Chipotle Chicken Chili: Blend in chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a deep, smoky flavor. Add smoked paprika and use fire-roasted tomatoes. Top with crispy bacon bits and cilantro for an extra layer of complexity.

The Last Spoonful That Keeps You Warm

Barefoot Contessa’s chicken chili transforms ordinary ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that warms hearts and satisfies souls.

Rich layers of spices dance with tender roasted chicken, creating a symphony of flavors that elevate comfort food to an art form.

Mediterranean-inspired seasonings whisper stories of culinary passion through each delectable spoonful.

Carefully crafted techniques ensure maximum depth and complexity in this exceptional dish.

Gourmet comfort emerges from simple ingredients, proving that extraordinary meals need not be complicated.

Passionate cooks will crave this recipe, sharing its deliciousness with friends and family – garnish with love, savor with joy, spread the recipe’s magic far and wide.

Barefoot Contessa Chicken Chili Recipe

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4.9 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa Chicken Chili offers a hearty, comforting meal packed with southwestern flavors. Robust ingredients like tender chicken, aromatic spices, and rich beans create a satisfying dish that brings warmth and zest to your table.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 split chicken breasts (bone-in, skin-on)
• 4 (800g) cans whole peeled plum tomatoes in puree, undrained
• 8 cups chopped yellow onions (about 6 onions)
• 4 red bell peppers, chopped
• 4 yellow bell peppers, chopped

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes (or to taste)
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
• 4 teaspoons kosher salt (plus more for chicken)
• Freshly ground black pepper

Herbs, Oils, and Additional Ingredients:

• 60 milliliters (¼ cup) olive oil (plus extra for chicken)
• 60 grams (8 cloves) minced garlic
• ½ cup fresh basil, minced
• Chopped onions
• Corn chips
• Grated cheddar
• Sour cream

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Instructions

1. Prepare the flavor base by warming 60 milliliters () of olive oil in a large pot over medium-low temperature. Gently sauté the finely chopped onions for 10-15 minutes until they become translucent and soft. Introduce minced garlic and cook for an additional 60 seconds to release its aromatic qualities.
2. Incorporate bell peppers, chili powder, ground cumin, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, and salt into the vegetable mixture. Stir continuously for one minute to ensure even distribution of spices and prevent burning.
3. Pour in crushed tomatoes, using either hand-crushing technique or a quick pulse in a food processor. Add fresh basil leaves and increase heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Immediately reduce heat and allow the sauce to simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent sticking.
4. While the sauce develops, preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit). Prepare chicken breasts by lightly coating with olive oil and generously seasoning with salt and black pepper. Arrange on a baking tray and roast for 35-40 minutes until fully cooked through.
5. Remove chicken from oven and allow to cool slightly. Carefully separate meat from bones and skin, then slice into 2-centimeter (3/4-inch) uniform chunks.
6. Gently fold the roasted chicken pieces into the simmering tomato sauce. Continue cooking uncovered for an additional 20 minutes to meld flavors and ensure chicken is heated thoroughly.
7. Serve the chili piping hot, garnishing with optional toppings such as diced raw onions, crispy corn chips, freshly grated cheddar cheese, and a dollop of cool sour cream. For best flavor preservation, consume immediately or refrigerate and gently reheat before serving.

Notes

• Discover the magic of simmering chili slowly, allowing flavors to meld and intensify throughout the cooking process.
• Embrace hand-crushing tomatoes to create a rustic, textured base that adds depth and homemade charm to your dish.
• Customize heat levels by gradually introducing cayenne or red pepper flakes, tasting as you go for perfect spiciness.
• Protect chicken’s tender texture by monitoring cooking time carefully, removing from heat the moment it’s perfectly done.
• Elevate the final dish with fresh basil leaves, sprinkled just before serving to unleash a bright, aromatic finish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 226
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 1,000mg
• Fat: 7.1g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g
• Carbohydrates: 19g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 19.7g
• Cholesterol: 45mg