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🐔 Paleo White Chicken Chili (Bean-less)
🌍 Cultural Introduction
White chicken chili is a Southwestern U.S. favorite, often made with white beans, green chiles, and shredded chicken. This Paleo version skips the legumes while honoring the dish’s roots in Tex-Mex comfort cooking. It blends ancestral ingredients like bone broth, roasted peppers, and warming spices—offering a creamy, dairy-free bowl that’s both healing and hearty.
🍲 Yield and Cooking Time
Yield: 6 servings (approx. 16 oz each)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: ~50 minutes
Paleo White Chicken Chili (bean-less)
🧂 Ingredients (Standard Measurements)
1.5 lb cooked chicken breast or thighs, shredded
1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup diced celery
1 cup chopped cauliflower (optional for bulk)
1 tsp ground cumin
½ tsp ground coriander
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 cup canned diced green chiles (mild or hot)
4 cups chicken bone broth (unsalted)
1 cup full-fat coconut milk (unsweetened)
Juice of 1 lime
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
🔪 Step-by-Step Cooking Process
Sauté Aromatics: Heat oil in soup pot. Add onion, garlic, celery. Cook until translucent (~5 min).
Add Spices & Veggies: Stir in cumin, coriander, oregano, salt, pepper. Add cauliflower if using.
Simmer Base: Add green chiles and bone broth. Simmer 15 minutes until veggies are soft.
Add Chicken & Coconut Milk: Stir in shredded chicken and coconut milk. Simmer 10 more minutes.
Finish with Lime & Garnish: Stir in lime juice. Adjust seasoning. Garnish with cilantro.
🥦 Nutritional Benefits
Chicken: Lean protein for muscle repair and satiety.
Bone Broth: Collagen-rich for joint and gut health.
Green Chiles: High in vitamin C and capsaicin for metabolism.
Coconut Milk: Healthy fats for brain and hormone support.
🔥 Key Flavor Building Highlights
Green Chiles: Add smoky heat and depth.
Coconut Milk: Creamy texture without dairy.
Lime Juice: Brightens and balances richness.
Cumin & Coriander: Earthy warmth and complexity.
🌿 Fun Facts About Ingredients
Green Chiles: Hatch chiles from New Mexico are celebrated with an annual roasting festival!
Cumin: Used in ancient Egyptian cooking and Ayurvedic medicine.
Coconut Milk: A staple in Southeast Asian and Caribbean cuisines for centuries.
👐 Hands-On Techniques for Flavor
Sauté Spices First: Blooming spices in oil enhances aroma.
Shred Chicken by Hand: Adds rustic texture and better broth absorption.
Simmer Gently: Prevents coconut milk from curdling and keeps flavors balanced.
📊 American Nutritional Facts (Per 16 oz Serving)
Nutrient | Amount |
Calories | ~320 |
Protein | ~28g |
Fat | ~18g |
Carbohydrates | ~12g |
Fiber | ~3g |
Sodium | ~650mg |
Sugar | ~4g (natural) |
💡 Pro Tips
Use rotisserie chicken for quick prep.
Add roasted poblano or jalapeño for smoky heat.
Blend half the soup for a thicker texture.
🔄 Ingredient Substitutions
Chicken: Try turkey or shredded pork.
Coconut Milk: Use cashew cream or almond milk (unsweetened).
Green Chiles: Sub with roasted bell peppers for mild flavor.
🌿 Garnishes to Enhance the Soup
Sliced avocado
Toasted pumpkin seeds
Fresh jalapeño slices
Swirl of coconut yogurt or lime crema
🍹 Beverage Pairing Suggestions
Non-Alcoholic: Sparkling lime water with mint
Fermented: Jalapeño kombucha or ginger switchel
Tea: Lemongrass or hibiscus iced tea
🧘 Digestive Rituals
Begin with a few deep breaths and a sip of warm broth.
Pause halfway to notice how your body feels.
End with a short walk or herbal tea to aid digestion.
🥄 Rituals for Mindful Eating
Invite guests to name one spice they can taste.
Share a story or memory tied to chili or Southwestern cooking.
Encourage “silent spoonfuls” to savor texture and warmth.
💧 Hydration Reminder
Each 16 oz serving counts toward your daily hydration goals! Bone broth-based soups hydrate while nourishing—especially important for Paleo and Whole30 lifestyles.