Paula Deen's White Bean Chili

This evening, I prepared a new chili dish, called White-Bean Chili. This chili is for the health conscious, having half the fat and sodium of regular beef chili-and to say the least, the navy beans in the dish are packed with fiber......and how delicious, because I normally would have avoided collard greens.....but they were not bitter at all!

Ingredients: (One hour to prepare and serves 10-15)

2 tablespoons extra virgin-olive oil
1 tablespoon mince garlic
3/4 cup diced onion
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, finely chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 pound collard greens, stemmed and roughly chopped (about 5 cups)
1 1/2 cups of chopped green chilies (fresh or canned
1 quart low sodium chicken broth
2 15-ounce cans navy beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
Chopped tomatoes and/or lime wedges for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. In a saucepan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion; cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until slightly softened. Add the chicken, cumin, oregano, white pepper and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and 1 to 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper. Cook, stirring, until the chicken is slightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes.

2. Add the collard greens and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are slightly wilted, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the chilies and chicken broth and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally for approximately 20 minutes, until slightly thickened. Stir in the beans and cook for another 10 minutes. Stir in the cilantro.

4. Transfer the chili to bowls and garnish with light sour cream, chopped tomatoes and, or lime wedges, if desired.