Are you craving a vibrant, flavorful, and surprisingly easy meal? Look no further! This 3 Green Chili recipe is a quick dinner idea perfect for busy weeknights, yet impressive enough for a weekend gathering. It's a delicious dish packed with fresh ingredients, offering a fantastic balance of healthy and hearty. Get ready to experience a flavor explosion that will leave you wanting more!
Ingredients:
This recipe makes about 6 servings.
- 3 pounds green chilies (such as Anaheim, Poblano, or a mix), stemmed and seeded
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Shredded cheese (Monterey Jack, cheddar, or a Mexican blend), for serving (optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: Roasting the Chilies
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the green chilies on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are slightly charred and softened. This step adds a smoky depth of flavor that elevates the whole dish.
Step 2: Sautéing the Aromatics
While the chilies roast, heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and red bell pepper and cook for another 3-5 minutes, until slightly tender.
Step 3: Building the Chili
Add the roasted green chilies (once cool enough to handle, roughly chop them), crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, cumin, chili powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the pot. Season generously with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour, for a richer flavor. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors meld together.
Step 4: Serving and Enjoying
Once the chili has simmered to your liking, taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and your favorite shredded cheese. This delicious chili is fantastic served with rice, cornbread, or crusty bread for soaking up all that flavorful goodness.
Cooking Tips:
- For a smoother chili, you can blend a portion of the cooked chili using an immersion blender before serving.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like corn, zucchini, or black beans for extra nutrition and texture.
- If you prefer a milder chili, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight!
Variations:
- Spicy Sam's 3 Green Chili: Add a jalapeño or two to the pot for extra heat.
- Vegetarian Sam's 3 Green Chili: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and omit the cheese for a completely vegetarian option.
- Beef Sam's 3 Green Chili: Brown 1 pound of ground beef before adding the onions and continue with the recipe as directed.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 250-300
- Protein: 10-15g
- Fat: 8-12g
- Carbohydrates: 25-35g
- Fiber: 5-7g
This easy recipe is perfect for healthy meal prepping and offers a fantastic way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. Enjoy this delicious and satisfying Sam's 3 Green Chili recipe! Let me know in the comments how yours turned out!