White chicken chili filling and good for you, too

The first time I ate white chicken chili, it was wrapped in a burrito. And I fell instantly in love.

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Of course, I'd always been a fan of tomato-based red chili, but the white version -- flavored with green chili peppers and thickened with sour cream -- struck me as cleaner.

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My version of white chicken chili can be eaten by the bowl, over rice or spooned into a tortilla.

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Don't forget the garnishes. Even though they require extra work, I can't recommend them highly enough. They add so many layers of flavor and texture to the finished bowl of chili.

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White chicken chili with lime
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
1 red bell pepper, cored and chopped
1 pound ground chicken or turkey
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1½ tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ cup white wine (optional)
1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth (use 2 cups if not using wine)
2 15½-ounce cans white beans, drained and rinsed
4½-ounce can chopped green chilies
½ cup reduced-fat sour cream
Salt and ground black pepper

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To serve:
Chopped scallions
Chopped fresh cilantro
Grated low-fat Monterey Jack cheese
Lime wedges

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In a large nonstick or stick-resistant skillet over medium, heat the oil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the onion and red pepper, then cook for 5 minutes, or until the onion is softened. Add the chicken and cook, breaking up the any large pieces, until the chicken is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.

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Add the garlic, chili powder, flour, cumin and oregano and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the white wine, if using, and the broth in a stream, whisking. Bring the mixture to boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

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Meanwhile, use a fork to mash 1 cup of the beans. Add both the whole and mashed beans and the chilies to the chili and simmer for 10 minutes.

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Stir in the sour cream and cook until hot. Season with salt and pepper.

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Ladle the chili into bowls and accompany at the table with scallions, cilantro, cheese and lime wedges.

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Makes 6 servings.

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Nutrition information per serving: 410 calories; 120 calories from fat (29 percent of total calories); 13 g fat (4.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 75 mg cholesterol; 41 g carbohydrate; 9 g fiber; 3 g sugar; 29 g protein; 430 mg sodium.

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