Friday, April 10, 2009

Chicken Chili with Black Beans

As excited as I am to be starting a job next Monday after a 3 month layoff, especially in a time when most people are desperate for work, I have been a little bummed this week knowing it's my last few days of a long vacation! Some of the advantages were:
  • Being caught up on all my shows
  • Buying a bulldog & being able to potty train him
  • Picking Tristan up early from school
  • Going to bed later
  • Having the time to work out each morning
  • Eating dinner by 6
So, here's to a new journey. And here is to my last Not So Fat Friday as an unemployed. 

This recipe comes from one of my healthy books on power foods. Everything in this is sooo super good for you. It's a hearty one dish meal that's simple to make & with a lot of flavor!!!!! 

3/4 to 1 lb ground chicken
3 garlic cloves, mined
1 28oz can tomatoes, cut up or diced
1 1/2 cups black beans, cooked
1 cup onions, chopped
1 cup celery, sliced
1 cup green peppers, diced
4 tsp mild chili powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
8 oz yellow squash, diced
Nonfat yogurt for garnish (optional)

Coat a pot with nonstick spray & warm it over medium high heat for 1 minute. Add chicken & garlic & saute until chicken is lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, beans, onions, celery, peppers, chili powder & oregano. Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to low. Cover & simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes*. Add squash. Cover & simmer, stirring occasionally until squash is tender, about 10 minutes. Dollop with 1 tblsp of nonfat yogurt.



{My Thoughts}

To make things go quicker I cut all the veggies into a small chop rather than a dice. *Also, if you like your squash a bit more tender, I suggest adding it in after 10 minutes. The yogurt is not in the original recipe but I have garnished other healthy chilis with it like this one here & it really does add a nice touch. You should really try it if you never have before. 



Have a great weekend everyone! And Happy Easter. I hope it's an Egg-citing one!!!!!!!!!

36 comments:

Nazarina A said...

Omg Is it back to work for you dearie?I love this healthy dish all that saucy veggies delish!Your new co workers are going to love you with all that great pot luck dishes!

FROGGITY! said...

looks scrumptious!

have a GREAT EASTER WEEKEND! blessings on your job!!

Sara said...

Good luck with the new job. This chili looks great too, I love black beans.

Kristina P. said...

Once again, another delicious concoction.

Danyele Easterhaus said...

yummy...that has the makings of a fav around the house. black beans, tomatoes and chili...yummo!!

Woman Interrupted said...

Oh, that does look fantastic!

Unknown said...

Happy Easter! I can't believe that it has been 3 months already! It seems like the time flew by! Wowzers!

Anonymous said...

This looks right up my alley - yum! I am glad you enjoyed your long vacation - hope getting back into the swing of work isn't too hard!!

Claremont First Ward said...

Enjoy this weekend, and GOOD LUCK on Monday! :)

Christy said...

I definitely just found my recipe for tonight.. been wondering what to fix. YUM!!!!

Pam said...

Mmmm. I think it sounds fantastic and hearty. Good luck with the new job.

Michelle said...

Ok, I am so hungry right now that your pictures actually made me salivate! Sorry, TMI!

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

good luck on monday! happy easter!

Cheffie-Mom said...

Happy Easter!!

Kerstin said...

Yum - your chicken chili looks good, I especially like the addition of squash! Congrats on your new job! Very cute blog!

brionyskerjance said...

sounds great and looks even better

B said...

Congrats on the new job.

And this sounds so good. What book did it come from? I think we could all use more power foods in our lives.

Ronda said...

Once again, another good recipe! Good luck on Monday, I bet it will be nice to get back to work even though it was nice having some time off. I hope you and your family have a Very Happy Easter!
XOXO

Ronda said...

Once again, another good recipe! Good luck on Monday, I bet it will be nice to get back to work even though it was nice having some time off. I hope you and your family have a Very Happy Easter!
XOXO

Ronda said...

Once again, another good recipe! Good luck on Monday, I bet it will be nice to get back to work even though it was nice having some time off. I hope you and your family have a Very Happy Easter!
XOXO

Jen said...

Oh this looks so good. I am SO hungry. I want a bowl NOW!

Brenda said...

Looks like something we would enjoy! I hope your transition to work goes well!

Anonymous said...

hah i love using vacations to catch up on my shows too!

awesome recipe!

Reeni said...

What a wonderful chili! So colorful and full of goodness.

On The Wings Of Love said...

Congratulations on your new job....although I would love to be able to still have the chance to work out in the mornings. You should see the difference between me and my "non working" friends - fitness wise that is . They run three times a week, do weights and yoga....and me...well I'm still trying to find the solutions to losing belly fat LOL

I've benn MIA from the blogging world lately but always love checking out your blog. Spring baseball,softball and volleyball season is a killer for me.I'm not home til 9- 10pm so no time for blogging.

The chili and shrimp boats look delish ! Gotta try those.

Have a Happy Easter !!

Cheers,
Bre

Tabitha Blue said...

Oh that definitely looks like one I could make, easy and tasty! Have fun at your new job, even though you'll be missing out on some nice days off. Happy Easter to you too!!

:)
~Tabitha~

freshmommyblog.com

Ronda said...

Hope you had a nice Easter. Can't wait to hear how your fist day on the new job went!
XO

Kelly Deneen Raymond said...

Wow, that looks delicious! Woo hoo for a new job! :) Good luck!

Lula! said...

This made me HUNGRY.

And I cannot wait to hear about your first day at the new job. EXCITING!!!!

jo@blog-diggidy said...

great recipe!! good luck with the new J-O-B!!!! take care

The Blonde Duck said...

I LOVE chicken chili! Hope the new job is fun!

Heather said...

Hope you had a great first day back at work! :-)

Jaime said...

this sounds delish. can't wait to try it out.

tiarastantrums said...

another delicious sounding recipe

Jessica said...

Mmmm! I wish you could just come over to my place and cook dinner for me. That looks divine!! So yummy!!

Angela said...

Looks great Steph, and I love the cucumber on the side. We need to get into the habit of eating veggies instead of bread as our side dishes around here.