Friday, December 11, 2009

Chicken Chili...or Chilly Chickens?




Here's a good example of 'Birds of a Feather Flocking Together'! My poor girls didn't know what to think of the cold.
It was a bit comical.

I've been terribly worried about them since the 'cold snap' we've had here in NW Indiana. I worry about their toes, and their sweet flappies.
Flappies is my word for wattles.

Aaron and I went out to give them some love and encouragement.

I wonder if Stubs feet ache more in this cold weather. I know my hips do.



And then there's Helen. Poor sweet humble Helen. I've noticed her limping more since it's gotten cold. Time for some Chicken Spa therapy.


We promptly brought her into the 'Poultry L'amore' Salon (also known as my kitchen)


Her one bad eye concerns me. It's been looking like this for a while.


I gave her lots of love and cuddling. Chickens love cuddling. It's true. Not many people know this fact, but then again, I am the Chicken Whisperer.

She loved every minute of her time inside, and drank lots of warm water. I begged Glenco to let me keep her in the house. Well, I begged him to let me keep them all in the house.
He said no.
Stinker.
I can't imagine why he wouldn't want ten fat hens in the house.
I mean, I've been living here for 20 years. What's ten more?

Rejuvenated by her spa experience, Helen lost no time in having a talk with Aaron about puberty, kindness and clean living. That bird doesn't have a selfish bone in her body.

Since I told you about my chilly chickens, I thought it appropriate to share a recipe for...

wait for it.....

wait for it....

Chicken Chili

My wit even surprises me. Seriously.

Here's the first of MANY healthy, absolutely delicious recipes.

The eating plan I'm following (I'll share more in the coming weeks) is a balanced program of protein and carbs, and relatively low fat.

This recipe is perfect.

High in fiber (just for you Joycee!), perfect ratio of carbs and protein, and loaded with FLAVOR.

What could be better than a bowl of this deliciousness on a cold, blustery day such as we've had here in NW Indiana?

Ok, well, hot fudge would be, but we're not goin' there.




Chicken Chili - Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped onion
  • 2 4-ounce cans chopped green chiles
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 3 15-ounce cans great northern beans, rinsed
  • 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 4 cups diced cooked skinless turkey, or chicken
  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar





PREPARATION

  1. Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in chiles, oregano, cumin and cayenne. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Stir in beans and broth; bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Add turkey (or chicken) and vinegar; cook for 5 minutes more. Serve.

NUTRITION

Per serving: 453 calories; 6 g fat (2 g sat, 2 g mono); 68 mg cholesterol; 44 g carbohydrates; 44 g protein; 9 g fiber; 213 mg sodium; 965 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Niacin (80% daily value), Fiber (45% dv), Vitamin C (30% dv), Iron (25% dv).

This recipe is from EatingWell.com. It's a wonderful website, chock full of healthy tasty recipes! If you'd like to, you can go HERE and print out the recipe.



30 comments:

  1. Oh dear, I just noticed that the recipe is somewhat cut off in the instructions...I'm sorry! Just go to the HERE and print it out if you'd like....

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  2. LOL! HO! HO! HO! This was just wonderful! I love to start the morning with a good laugh! :)
    I'm getting 5 eggs a day!! :)

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  3. Ha! You are tooooo funny. We keep a heatlamp in the chicken coop. And the girls huddle under it on cold days. It is brutally cold here today...Yikes!!! Stay warm and toasty and have a wonderful weekend.

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  4. Who knew chickens could be so cuddly? And all this time I just thought they were tasty. I love how you bring them in the kitchen to love on them instead of cooking them! Funny post. Stay warm.

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  5. That recipe sounds really yummy. I think I have everything for it in the pantry, so I might just try it this weekend. Poor chickens, I would let you keep them inside... :-)

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  6. Oh, poor little guys! You have a delightful sense of humor! Thanks, too for the great recipe. It sounds warm and tasty!

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  7. I love Helen! Poor girl...so glad she was treated to a day at the spa. Was Aaron an obedient listener? He is just surrounded by wisdom :)

    I think I shall try your chicken chili...don't have the peppers tho. Hmmmm. Might need to brave this bitter cold and get myself to the grocery store.

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  8. Chicken Chili *laugh* *snort* It sounds yummy - can't wait to try it. As for the ladies, do you have a heat bulb in their coop? We do that in ours when it gets really cold. Just turn it on at night (or on a really frigid day) to give them a little extra heat. And it keeps the water from freezing as well! :)

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  9. Okay, Helen is just beautiful. Lovely feathers. Where does she get her feathers done? Do they charge much?

    I second the suggestion about the heat lamp. You can even use a couple of lightbulbs. It really does help some. Do they have an actual house to go in? Just put the lamp/bulbs in there.

    With the chili, is it a thick chili? Or more like soup?

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  10. Chicken chili sounds good for tonight! Jayme, I use Teramyicin ointment for my Cockers' eyes when they are red and inflamed, I buy it at the feed store or pet store and they did tell me it's for all animals. You might add it to her spa treatment!
    http://www.drugs.com/vet/terramycin-ophthalmic-ointment.html

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  11. We must be on the same page today, with posting Chili Recipes! Sounds good - I'll have to try it! I posted photos of my hens in their first snow a few days back - they are faring well, but they prefer the snow be shoveled back from their water tub and the feed....fussy things! My heart is warmed by the care you give to your hens - bless you!!!

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  12. Jayme - Thank you so much for posting about your chickens. I've been thinking about your girls and wondering how they're doing during the cold snap you're having in the mid west. I should have known that you'd be giving them extra care and attention.
    I love the recipe for chicken chili. The one I use is practically identical to yours. In addition to the white beans, I add 1 can of white corn and 1 can of garbanzo beans. Mine also adds cheese as a garnish, but we won't go there. Hope you have a great weekend. Take care.

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  13. I also have a lamp over the girls inside waterer. Keeps the water from freezing and occasionally I have seen a hen "basking" under it at night. 9 eggs today from 12 hens and the day isn't over yet. The flock won't go outside the past few days, even though I have shovelled their pen and put toys out there to amuse them. Too darn cold here in Vermont. I am making them some warm oatmeal today with raisins and blueberrys.

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  14. I cannot imagine what yo momma would think of a chicken in the kitchen...let alone on the table!!!! LOL

    Very cute..and I may just try the chili this weekend.

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  15. Hi Girls! So fun to get online and see all your crazy funny comments!

    Carol...yay! Your girls are starting to earn their keep. I'm getting about the same in eggs, sometimes Fifi gets lazy though and I just get four. Pretty soon I should be averaging 8-9 a day, won't that be fun?

    Beverly, while Aaron was at the math tutor today, I ran to the tractor supply store and bought two heat lamps. I'm going to hook them up this afternoon. Poor cold birds! I thought I had them sealed up nice and tight, but some extra heat will surely be welcome.

    Lone Star Queen, oh chickens are so very cuddly. You just have to watch for the poop droppings. Thankfully, the girls haven't pooped in the house yet, I think if they did, I wouldn't bring them in anymore!

    Anke, see you understand, letting the chickens in and all. :-D Let me know how you like the chili.

    Natalie! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting, I sure appreciate it. Glad you like it!

    Cindy...yes, Aaron listened closely to Helen and took it all to heart. I hope you get out and make this chili. I'm gonna make a cook out of you yet!

    Jennifer, just got some heat lamps, and I'm going to keep them on day and night I suppose....I thought that leaving a light on them all night would mess up the egg laying process? I'd rather them be happy and warm than lay eggs and this point though.

    Mama Hen, yes, they have a house to go in, it's more of a roost box, so it's not too roomy to walk around in, and they like being out. Heat lamps are here! The chili is sorta thick. If you wanted to, you could mash a can of the beans to add some more thickness to it. Seems that Helen's feathers are naturally luxurious!

    Joycee...thanks for the tip! I actually have some of that. I used it for my cat's eye a few months ago, I didn't even THINK to use it on Helen!

    Classy..yes, they are particular birds aren't they! I'm hoping the heat lamp will keep the water semi-unfrozen. It gets tiring bringing them water several times a day. I just love those things though!

    Sharon...ohhh, your chili sounds good. If I added the corn, it would through my carb balance off, but I sure could add a little low fat cheese! YUM!

    Janis...you are making your girls oatmeal!? What a FABULOUS idea! I'm going to make some as soon as I'm done here. Never even thought of giving them a warm meal! Love it!

    Peggy, you knew my mom well...she would roll in her grave if she knew I had a live chicken on the kitchen table! She tossed me out of the house at 18 because I had the kitchen full of chemicals from developing film. God love her, I miss her.

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  16. Just home from work and straight to your blog for my daily dose of fun-Thanks a Bunch-You make my day!
    PAM

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  17. Oh, Helen! Be well!

    The chicken chili sounds awesome. Thanks for posting this healthy recipe! -Tammy

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  18. Jayme my dear.. near chicago when you grew up? ME too. I sooo loved chicago with the train ride in.. walk the 'magic mile' to see each store front.. to Granny Metzen's for some very good german food and the long sleepy ride home. And the goloshes that were bright red and yes lined with large baggie and always filled with slush.

    Days long gone yet times like these, it's good to bring them back.. the easy life, slow and untroubled.


    Parsley.. you are sooo welcomed!

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  19. ooops.. sry hon.. did a side double postie thingie that was split and then I click 'publish' .. oops..

    well do forgive my dear..

    kiss kiss.. or would that be .. peck peck

    ~Oli

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  20. Jayme, that sounds so good. I was wondering what to do about the chickens in the winter. Last night it got down to 23 so I worried but they were up scratching this morning.
    We did go out early and give them fresh water because theirs was frozen. We feed them a little extra so they can have extra fuel.
    Extra straw in the nest helps too.

    By the way..the chicken chilly sounds great. The weather guy is calling for freezing weather with ice and snow tomorrow.

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  21. Jayme, thank you for bringing Helen in to warm. They all looked so cold today in their little huddle. I heard Helen remark to the other girls that she didn't know how much more she could take of the weather. The Christmas light's on their coop makes it look so festive.
    Don't know if I can make the chicken chili with a clear mind though. :)
    Your hair is adorable and you don't look like Carol Burnett at all.
    Continue on with your festivity!

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  22. I've never made chicken chili but it sounds wonderful. I will have to try it soon!

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  23. Hello Sister Hoosier! I am at the other end of the state in Bloomington!
    This is the first time I've read your blog, but think I'll follow.
    "Poultry L'amore Salon" *giggle*
    Cheryl in B-town
    WHOSYERGURL

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  24. It just struck me: is there a veterinarian for chickens? Cause she looks like she might need one. I worry about your girls out in the cold. Couldn't you just sneak them in? I think Lucy and Ethel did that, didn't they? I see you have chickens on your wallpaper border. Well, of course you do!
    Brenda

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  25. Oh, poor little guys being outside in the cold! They must love coming into the kitchen and get warm and some hugs and love! Nice photo of Aaron.

    Thanks for the recipe. I am going to print it out. Perfect meal for these cold nights.

    HoHoHo.

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  26. YOU are the chicken queen and don't let anyone tell you any different. :)

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  27. Your Chicken Chili looks a lot like comfort food that would go a long way on this very chilly morning here in NNY.

    What lucky girls, visiting you inside, "your kitchen is awesome" I love the color green and have been discussing painting ours that very color.

    I believe, after the chicken gave your son the "pep talk" he will grow up and do just fine... Smart chicken!


    We have a light in our hen house, and also a heat lamp that hangs above their roosting ladder. They love the warmth of the red lamp and all flock to the ladder.

    Keep thosse chickens warm,
    Mel

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  28. Too cute with the chicky day at the spa! And your girls gave up a big cheer when they read 'Turkey' in the recipe, but a hushed 'awwww...' when they hit the 'OR chicken' part. ;) The light on in the coop will help with egg production. Ours all have heat lights/lamps on and also heaters that keep their water thawed.

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  29. Jayme - I truly hope that Helen is ok. I will tell you that I had a little one with an eye that was having the same trouble about a month ago. Eventually it became pussy - a sign of an upper respiratory problem. Unfortunately we didn't catch it in time and she is no longer with us. Watch Helen just in case.
    -Staci

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  30. Sorry I can't stay on right now and reply to all of your comments individually....I'm getting ready for my first Holiday party here!

    You are all SO sweet to worry about the girls.

    I've been giving them warm oatmeal, and I put two 300 watt heat lamps on them. They are toasty now, plus the temps have been decent here again, almost 40 today...

    Life at Cobble Hill...I will look into Helen further, I didn't think about it being anything too serious since she's not really opened that eye much since the raccoon attack.

    Thanks again to everyone!

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