Chil Bar How to and Chili Recipe as well

It's football season and that to me means it is also time to get the group together to watch the game. What will we serve our guest?? How about something filling?? Chili always seems to be a good go to meal to fill a crowd of individuals. To make it even better setting up a chili bar is a great idea that allows everyone to fix their dish just like they want.

Making up a few different types of chili is also a good idea.  good white chili with chicken that makes up great in a crock-pot helps keep the work load easy and will delight your football loving guest.

1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 to 3 breasts)
4 cups (32 ounces) low-sodium chicken stock
2 (15-ounce) cans reduced-sodium white beans, such as white kidney beans, cannellini, or Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
2 (4.5-ounce) cans diced green chiles
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small (or 1/2 large) yellow onion, finely diced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Fresh lime wedges
For serving (the toppings add important flavor, so LOAD IT UP!): diced jalapeno, diced avocado, nonfat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips

Place chicken in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker (I use this one). Top with the chicken broth, white beans, green chiles, garlic, onion, cumin, oregano, salt, and cayenne. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or high for 2 to 4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken breasts to a plate. Once cool enough to handle, shred and set aside.
With an immersion blender, puree a portion of the chili to thicken it, leaving some of the beans whole. (You can also transfer a few ladlefuls of the chili to a food processor and roughly blend, then stir the blended portion back into the chili.) Stir in the shredded chicken and cilantro. Portion into bowls and top with a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Add any other desired toppings and enjoy.
Know thy slow cooker! If yours cooks exceptionally quickly, be sure to watch the cooking time carefully and check it early, as chicken breasts more easily dry out in the crock pot. My chicken was ready on high after 2 1/2 hours.
For a thicker chili, start with half the amount of broth (2 cups) and add more at the end if the chili is too thick for your liking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

3 lbs. ground beef
1 large white onion diced
4 cloves garlic chopped
1 jalapeno seeded and minced (or to taste)
2 28- ounce cans crushed tomato sauce
2 15- ounce cans red kidney beans rinsed and drained
1 tablespoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon cumin
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cayenne chili pepper or to taste
Garnish
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
4 green onions sliced
1 cup sour cream

Heat a large skillet on the stovetop over medium high heat. Break up the ground beef with your hand and add to the pan. Crumble the beef further to small chunks with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Add the onion and cook until the beef is brown and the onions are translucent. Add the spices and mix to evenly combine.
Transfer the meat mixture to a large crockpot. Add the tomatoes, kidney beans, and jalapeno. Stir to combine. Cover the crock pot and put on low for 6 hours.
Serve chili with grated cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Now that the chili is prepared don't forget to set it all up so guest can enjoy. Make a buffet of hotdogs, bags of chips, and toppings for chili. Don't forget to provide small serving bowls as well. In addition to the chili and regular sides and toppings you may want to include other dishes to serve to guest as well. Some ideas include

• chicken wings
• another type of soup
• dips and chips
• crackers 
• cornbread

A chili bar is a great way to entertain guest throughout the fall and winter months I have shared with guest and celebrated birthdays, holidays and more.

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