A Super Bowl for Your Super Bowl Party: White Bean and Chicken Chili

If you're having a Super Bowl party next weekend, you want to serve something hearty. Something that will take the chill off. (Not all of us can be in balmy Miami for the game!) But you also want it to "hold" well so that people can serve themselves when they want to...and then come back for seconds after watching for "wardrobe malfunctions" at halftime. This is perfect. A hearty chili with lots of flavor. It's easy to prepare...and actually pretty healthy too.

Note: It's great served just as described, but you could also put additional toppings out along with the cilantro and diced tomato. A little grated cheese. Low-fat sour cream. Even tortilla strips. It's a make-your-own-Super-Bowl-bar!

White Bean and Chicken Chili
Adapted from Cooking Light

1 tablespoon olive (or canola) oil
2 cups diced onion (about 2 medium)
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano (Confession: I had none, so I used Italian herb seasoning to no deleterious effect.)
3 (15.8-ounce) cans white beans (aka Great Northern, cannelini or navy beans), rinsed and drained
4 cups chicken stock or broth
3 cups chopped cooked chicken (You could pull from a store-bought rotisserie chicken to make things even easier. You could also substitute cooked turkey.)
1/2 cup diced seeded plum tomato (about 1)
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Other toppings like grated cheese, sour cream and crispy tortilla strips if you'd like.

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 10 minutes or until tender and golden. Add chili powder, garlic, and cumin; sauté for 2 minutes. Add oregano and beans; cook for 30 seconds. Add broth; bring to a simmer. Cook 20 minutes.

Place 2 cups of bean mixture in a blender or food processor, and process until smooth. Return pureed mixture to pan. Add turkey, and cook 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat. Add lime juice, salt, and pepper, stirring well. In each serving bowl, place some of the diced tomato and chopped cilantro. Ladle soup over. Garnish with lime wedges and other toppings, if desired.