Jalapeno Popper Chicken Chili #SundaySupper

Two weeks ago I was saying how amazing the weather is and how much I was enjoying recess duty because I had gone out two days in a row with short sleeves and no jacket.  I left for the weekend smiling but then I heard about Hurricane Sandy.  Now I live in Western Maryland and figured that while we would get some rain, it wouldn’t be enough for us to have any problems.

It turns out I was right and wrong.  We didn’t end up getting too much rain because I live in the mountains and instead we got 6 incredibly heavy and wet inches of snow!  I was surprised that we received snow instead of rain but it was enough that we were cancelled for several days due to the snow and power outages in the area.  Thankfully we kept our power on throughout the week.

Since I was off for several days, and it was very cold, it was the perfect time to make my soup for this weeks #SundaySupper.  This week our theme was to make a Soul Warming Food.  Nothing warms me up from the inside like a thick and creamy soup.

I decided to make a jalapeno popper chicken chili.  When my husband heard what I was making he was pretty excited as jalapeno poppers are one of his favorite.  I like that the soup is fairly light until the cream cheese is added at the end to make it creamy.  I used light cream cheese which tasted amazing and really added a creamy texture to the soup.

This was the perfect snowy weather soup.  It was spicy, flavorful, and filling.  Paired with a loaf of fresh crusty bread this was all we needed for a complete meal.  The soup itself has both chicken and vegetables in it.  The soup was hearty and warmed us up after a day of shoveling.

Jalapeno Popper Chicken Chili (adapted from Cinnamon, Spice, and Everything Nice)
1 T. olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
4 jalapeno peppers, diced, seeds removed
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 t. sea salt
1 t. fresh ground mixed peppers (or black pepper)
1 lb. chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 t. Penzey’s Arizona Dream spice (or chile powder)
1 T. ground cumin
1 t. paprika
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes in juice
1 1/2 c. chicken broth
2 c. cannellini beans
2 c. corn
8 oz. cream cheese (I used 1/3 less fat)
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/4 c. sharp cheddar cheese

1.  In a large saucepan heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Add in the onion, red pepper, jalapeno pepper, and garlic and saute for 5-7 minutes or until soft.

2.  Sprinkle the chicken with the salt and pepper.  Push the vegetables to the side of the pan and add in the chicken.  Lightly brown the chicken on all sides.

3.  Add in the Arizona Dream, cumin, and paprika.  Stir to combine the spices with the chicken and vegetables.

4.  Stir in the tomatoes, chicken broth, cannellini beans, and corn.  Bring to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes.

5.  Add in the cream cheese and stir until it is completely melted, about 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.

6.  Ladle the soup into a bowl and top with crumbled bacon and cheese.

We have over 50 contributors this week, bringing you their best warm you up dishes.  We have everything from stews, soups, main entrees and even some hot drinks and desserts.
Just look at the list below that is coming to the #SundaySupper table this week!

Main Entrees:

• Carrot, Parsnip and Lentil Casserole – Happy Baking Days
• Chicken with Herbed Dumplings – Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
• Chicken pot pie – Gotta Get Baked
• Cholula Chicken Enchiladas – Kwistin’s Favorites
• Eggplant Parmesan – The Hand That Rocks The Ladle
• Roasted Roots and Fruits with Sausage – Shockingly Delicious

Chili/Stews:

• Beer-Braised Beef – Sustainable Dad
• Bigos {Authentic Polish Hunter’s Stew} – From Fast Food to Fresh Food
• Brunswick Stew and Rice – Big Bear’s Wife
• Calico Beans – Home Cooking Memories
• Carbonnade Flamande – The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
• Chicken Cacciatore {Hunter Style Stew} with Easy Creamy Polenta –Webicurean
• Chicken & Mushroom Stew On Egg Noodles – Galactosemia in PDX
• Cowboy Beef Stew – Comfy Cuisine
• Ham and String Beans – Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Hearty Moose Meatball Stew – Mrs. Mama Hen
• Jalapeno Popper Chicken Chili – Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Lentil and Chorizo Stew – Vintage Kitchen Notes
• Seafood Gumbo and Soul Warming #SundaySupper Wine Pairings – ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
• Soul Warming Hearty Beef Stew – In The Kitchen With KP

Soups:

• 30 Minute Black Bean Soup – Supper for a Steal
• Black Bean Soup – Basic and Delicious
• Black Bean Soup with Hot Roast Pepper Cream – The Lovely Pantry
• Canadian Beer Cheese Soup – Juanita’s Cocina
• Chicken Soup with Dumplings – The Messy Baker
• Chicken Tortilla Soup – Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
• Coconut Curry Chicken Soup – Damn Delicious
• Easy Chicken and Dumplings – My Catholic Kitchen
• Easy Italian Wedding Soup – Family Foodie
• Easy Wonton Soup – Soni’s Food
• French Onion Soup – Momma’s Meals
• Homestyle Chicken and Dumplings – I Run For Wine
• Lasagna Soup – Cravings of a Lunatic
• Lemon Chicken Noodle Soup – Mangiamo
• Lentil and Bacon Soup – Small Wallet, Big Appetite
• Lentil Soup with Spinach – Mama’s Blissful Bites
• Peppery Mulligatawny Soup with Cherry Tomatoes & Cilantro – Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Pozolillo Verde {Green Chicken & Corn Pozole} – La Cocina de Leslie
• Red Lentil Soup with Crispy Aromatic Coriander – Chattering Kitchen
• Roasted Jalapeno Soup – Chocolate Moosey
• Rule of Thirds Soup – What Smells So Good?
• Seafood Chowder – Noshing with the Nolands
• Spanish Garlic Soup – Pippi’s In The Kitchen Again
• Spicy Gumbo Z’herbes – Pescetarian Journal
• Spicy Korean Brisket Soup {Yukgaejang} – Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
• Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup {Jjamppong} – Kimchi Mom
• Spicy Udon Noodle Soup – My Trials In The Kitchen
• Turkey Noodle Soup – Magnolia Days
• Tuscan Bean Soup – The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Twisted Chicken Noodle Soup – The Meltaways
• Warm You Up Spicy Bacon Cheeseburger Soup – Daily Dish Recipes

Desserts/Beverages:

• Hot Fudge Pudding Cake – That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• White Hot Chocolate with Orange – GirliChef

This post linked to:
Scrumptious Sundays, Shine on Friday, Foodtastic Friday, Foodie Friday Link,