Spices permeate the entire dish – cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper – and hominy adds an authentic Southwestern accent to this chicken chili. Save a big chunk of time simply by using rotisserie chickens from the supermarket and canned chicken broth as the chili base.
Servings::16
Yield::12 to 16 – servings
Ingredients
2 store-bought roast chickens, meat picked from bones and
2 quarts chicken broth
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
¼ cup ground cumin
4 teaspoons dried oregano
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 large onions, cut into medium dice
2 (4 ounce) jars diced mild green chiles
2 (20 ounce) cans hominy, or equal quantity of canned white beans, such as cannellini or great Northern
6 medium garlic cloves, minced
2 cups frozen corn, preferably shoepeg
sour cream
cilantro or scallions
lime wedges
green hot sauce
Directions
Bring skin and bones, chicken broth and 1 quart of water to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer about 30 minutes. Strain and discard skin and bones.
Heat oil over medium-low heat in a soup kettle. Add cumin, oregano and cayenne and cook until spices are fragrant, about 1 minute. Add onion; increase heat to medium; saute until soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in chicken and chiles. Add 4 cups hominy and all but 1 cup of the broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 25 to 30 minutes.
Process remaining 2 cups hominy and 1 cup broth until silky smooth; add to soup. Stir garlic and corn into soup. Simmer for a minute or so longer, then cover and let stand for 5 minutes.
Ladle into bowls and top with sour cream, cilantro or scallions. Pass separately the lime wedges and green hot pepper sauce.
Tips
Copyright 2004 USA WEEKEND and columnist Pam Anderson. All rights reserved.