White Bean and Chicken Soup

I made this for Thanksgiving.. it was a little much for that celebration. It made a hbig pot. It would be great for a soup eating party. It was published in the December 2008 issue of "Food & Wine."
Active 35 min total: 1 hour 35minutes 8 servings for a main course

By using chicken thighs instead of breasts , F&W's Melissa Rubel gives this hearty, jalapeno spiked soup ultra rich flavor.

3 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken thigh, cut into 1 inch dice
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
2 medium onions diced
3 garlic cloves, diced
1 jalapeno minced
2 tablespoons of all purpose flour
2 tablespoons chile powder blend
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon of dried oregano crushed
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
8 cups of chicken stock or low sodium broth
three 15 ounce cans navy beans drained
Tortilla chips, sour cream, shredded Monterey jack, clinatro and diced avocado for serving

1. Season the chicken with salt adn pepper. In a large enameled casserole, heat the oil until shimmering. Add half of the chicken at a time and cook over moderately high heat until lightly browned all over, about 8 minutes per batch. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to a plate.

2. Add the onions to the casserole and cook over moderate heat stirring until tender. 5 minutes. Add the garlic and jalapeno and cook until fragrant. Add flour, chili powder, cumin. oregano and cayenne and cook stirring constantly until fragrant. Add the stock, navy beans and chicken and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook until the chicken is very tender. 30 minutes.

4. Uncover and simmer the soup over moderate heat until slightly thickened, about 30 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper and serve with the tortilla chips, sour cream, jack cheese, cilantro and avocado,

Make ahead: This soup can be refrigerated for 2 days. Reheat gently before serving.
Wine: Fruity, floral white blend 2006 Beringer Alluvium Blanc

As you may have guessed, the cayenne pepper was dropped as well as the cilantro and the avocado.. for Sue. It still was highly successful.. This soup makes a huge pot. It will make your whole house fragrant.

enjoy..

: ) Pat