2/19/10

buffalo chicken chili

buffalo chicken chili

So the last few weeks have been crazy busy for me not to say stressful. After having just left a horrible rental that had a horrible kitchen I was finally ready to start cooking in my new kitchen in my new home. Then BAM, the flu hits me like a Mac truck. Literally a week after getting settled into my new home I get the stomach flu, then I get the flu. And now, as I type this I am still sick, not as sick as before, but better. I've never been this sick before for this long. Whatever bug it was called it was morphing from stomach flu to flu flu to 'I-feel-better-now-oh-wait-no-you're-not-better-flu'. Strangest flu I've ever had. I thought it was the swine flu too, but it wasn't. It was so hard to just stay in bed and do nothing, I love to keep busy. And have you ever watched daytime TV? Awful. Thank goodness for Food Network. Did you know that Barefoot Contessa is on two times during the day? Yeah, so everyday, the highlight of my day was watching Ina at 1pm then again at 4pm. I just love when she says "isn't that fabulous?" I always say "oh heavens yes!".
It feels like it has been decades since I've baked or cooked anything. I've been eating a lot of toast, ginger ale, live active cultures, chopped ginger, saltines, and other granny-foods. I just want some damn chili already--I need hot chili to open up my sinuses!! Not really having the strength or patience for 'from scratch foods', I made a quick 'everything-in-the-cupboards-must-go chili'. Yeah, I know, it's really not from scratch. Shame! I know I know. It really was good though and I have valid excuses. So if ever there is a night or two when you are strapped for time, really don't want to cook because you are recovering from the flu and are craving buffalo chicken chili, well have I got just the perfect recipe for you!

Note: while having the flu I am walking, talking and breathing, but I still have the memory of a tsetse fly, so I think I got all the ingredients down, maybe not.

buffalo chicken chili w/ blue cheese drizzle
print recipe

Chili:
3-4 chicken breasts
Salt, pepper, and olive oil (rubbing on chicken to roast)
1 large red onion, diced
3-5 cloves garlic, crushed (I can't remember how much, enough to kill a cold)
½ finely chopped carrots
A couple tablespoons chili powder
1 TB ground cumin
2 jars of Newmans Own Garden Salsa (might need a bit more)
½ cup spicy bbq sauce
Couple big squirts of ketchup (fancy eh?)
1/4 cup or so of Coca Cola
Some chipotle peppers, diced
1-2 TB honey
1 cup black beans
1 cup red kidney beans
Some fresh lime juice
(add whatever you want, it's chili, it's easy & laidback)

Creamy blue cheese topping:
½ cup or so of creme fraiche (or sour cream)
¼ - ½ cup blue cheese dressing
Chopped fresh chives

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil and season with salt & pepper. Bake in oven until done, about 25 – 30 minutes. Let cool, then chop into chunks, set aside.
In a large pot, pour in some olive oil, then heat up the red onions, carrots, whatever else veggie you want to use up. Sautee them a bit, then add in the garlic, the chili powder, cumin, chipotle peppers, Mix a bit, then add in the salsa, bbq sauce, ketchup, Coke, honey, all the beans, and the chopped cooked chicken. Heat mixture through and taste-test; see what else it needs. I added in some lime juice, salt & pepper, and some fresh lime juice.
If you want the blue cheese topping, just mix all the ingredients and let chill in fridge a bit before using. Serve with buttered toast or corn chips. Taste even better the next day.

30 comments:

  1. This sounds amazing and very comforting for both the weather and being sick. Sounds like you got hit pretty bad. I just love watching Ina. Hope you are getting better, my friend.

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  2. Mmmmnn! this is the next chili I'm making. Feel better!

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  3. Chili....Must. Make. Chili. I have to make chili.

    Feel better, Dawn!!!

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  4. hope you are on the road to recovery! i saw your post and thought it was the pillsbury version i made a couple weeks ago. but see its different. we liked it but i added to much hot sauce so it was way spicey for us!

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  5. I'm making chili right now (a veg one), but this one looks amazing. I love the idea of a blue cheese sour cream topping! Too good.

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  6. Being sick is the worst! I hope you feel better soon :) or if you are sick for a few days... I'll hope that there is a Barefoot Contessa all-day special that you can watch!

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  7. I hope you feel better. This chicken chili looks awesome!

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  8. Aw! I hope you're feeling more like 100% now!I can so hear Ina saying "Isn't this fabulous" in my head- love her! So great that you used Newmans own salsa in this recipe- one of my favorites! Have a great weekend

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  9. oh no!!! hope you are feeling better soon... at least your kitchen isn't going anywhere :) this chili sounds wonderful, i bet it will be good next week when we're supposed to be watching a few storms :/

    how close are you to hyannis??

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  10. I so enjoy watching Ina, and would love to be a guest on her show and just eat all her yummy goodness! Talk about goodness girl, you got it down with this chili. Looks awesome! Get well and stay well.

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  11. Poor poor mama! I am sorry you were so sick. But I am glad you are feeling a tad better. This chili would make anyone feel better!

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  12. This sounds really really good. Hope you feel better soon.

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  13. yes, i do know that ina is on twice a day - and i have been known to watch it....feel better!

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  14. I hope you feel better! Being sick is the worst. Your chili looks amazing!

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  15. The buffalo chicken chili looks wonderful, very comforting and delicious! I hope you are starting to feel much better! Have a restful weekend!

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  16. I hope you're feeling so much better. I want you baking amazing things in your new kitchen!!

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  17. Aww, my chili is usually pull-everything-out-of-the-cupboards chili too, but yours actually has a specific flavor! Sounds delicious :)

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  18. That sounds spicy just like my husband likes it. Sorry you are fighting the flu, no fun at all

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  19. Wild! I have added beer, wine, broth.. but never thought to add coke!
    Hope you are feeling better.

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  20. boo to the flu. yippee to chili. :)
    oh, and ketchup rules--don't be ashamed!

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  21. Feel better soon -- this winter has been brutal for the flu and I'm grateful it hasn't found me yet. It will be nice to play around in your new kitchen when you're feeling up to it.

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  22. I hope you get better soon. The chili should open up your sinuses. If not, add more chilis!

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  23. Get well soon!

    I'm not usually a beans-in-my-chili kind of person but that looks *good*

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  24. I bet Dude would love this! He is big on spicy (I'm a wimp in more ways than one)

    Love the photo and I hope you are 100% like, yesterday!

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  25. Coke in a chili! How bad can that be? LOL. Seriously, it looks really good. As in, flu-curingly good. I hope you are very much convalesced by now :(

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  26. I can not even tell you how awesome this sounds.

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  27. I've been sick for the last 2 weeks too and it sucks! I hope by now you're feeling better.

    And I hope this chili helped :-)

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  28. Chili, I must make chili before the weather turns to Spring! GREG

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  29. Sounds absolutely delicious. I LOVE buffalo chicken. Unfortunately I'm not a blue cheese person. I definitely dip in ranch. How do you think it would taste with some ranch on top?

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  30. I am so happy that you're feeling better! But really, you put some of us (me) to shame, turning out something this awesome-looking when you're sick. I'm hale and hearty but the husband is lucky if I'll open a can of Campbell's on a busy night.

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