Heart Healthy Chicken Chili

There is nothing quite like a hot bowl of chili to take the chill off your bones. When it's cold outside, you need something nice and warm to warm you on the inside. But that does not mean you can not find a healthy dinner recipe to prepare the family's favorite treat. Which I will share with you, take a little time, but prepare enough for 10. This is great to serve for a small crowd but I made it for my family of five and we could easily eat there for two days.

Heart Healthy Chicken Chili

11 ounces dried white beans (pinto, navy, Great Northern)

3 sprigs fresh thyme

8 fresh parsley stems

1 bay leaf

1 tsp. salt

2 2/3 cups water

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 cup onions, chopped

5 cloves garlic, minced

2 ½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast, (cut into small pieces)

1 cup dry white wine (optional)

8oz. fresh mushrooms, sliced

1 ½ cups frozen corn (no-salt added)

½ cup red bell pepper, chopped

½ cup green bell pepper, chopped

½ tsp hot pepper sauce

1 ½ tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. black pepper

½ cup parsley, chopped

Directions:

1. Put pinto beans in a microwave safe 1 ½ quart casserole.

2. Bind parsley stems, bay leaf and thyme together with a string.

3. Add bound seasonings to beans along with ½ tsp of the salt and the water.

4. Cover beans and microwave on high for 30 minutes.

5. Continue cooking on medium for one hour, stirring every thirty minutes (add water as needed).

6. In a large stockpot, sauté onions and garlic in olive oil.

7. Add chicken, wine and mushrooms.

8. Cover and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.

9. When beans are cooked, stir half into the pot with chicken.

10. Mash the remaining beans and add them to the pot.

11. Add corn, peppers, hot pepper sauce, oregano, salt and pepper.

12. Simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in chopped fresh parsley.

Health benefits: An excellent source of protein, low-fat chicken and digestible. Nuts are rich in fiber and protein and low in fat and cholesterol. Fresh herbs add flavor so you can store the salt to a minimum to maintain a low sodium levels.