Author Notes
This is my go-to recipe for chili cook-off contests. It's unique flavors set it apart from traditional chilis, without straying light years away from what people expect when they dig into a bowl of something called "chili." An added bonus: you cook it in your slow cooker (I have made it on the stove top, but it's flavors don't develop as deeply) so your house smells amazing all day.
This recipe came about via my husband's suggestion. The Joy Of Cooking has a recipe for Caribbean Black Bean chili that is quite good, but he (rightly) said it would be great with the inclusion of my mother's Caribbean Jerk Chicken. The recipes were fused, and this chili was born!
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. —d_ribbens
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Ingredients
- Chili
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2
can black beans
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1
medium onion, finely diced
-
1/8 cup
minced garlic
-
1
minced habanero pepper (HOT, please wear gloves)
-
3 tablespoons
chili powder
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3 tablespoons
ground cumin
-
1.5 tablespoons
sugar
-
2 teaspoons
salt
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2 teaspoons
ground black pepper
-
zest of one orange
-
zest of one lime
-
1/2 tablespoon
ground allspice
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1/2 tablespoon
dried leaf thyme
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3/4 tablespoon
cayanne pepper
-
3/4 tablespoon
ground sage
-
1/4 teaspoon
ground nutmeg
-
1/4 teaspoon
ground cinnamon
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juice of two oranges
-
juice of one lime
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28 ounces
crushed tomatoes
-
2-3 cups
water
-
2
boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Toppings
-
sour cream
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shredded mexican cheese
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chopped cilantro
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chopped green onions
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lime wedges
-
cooked rice
Directions
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Make the spice mix. Add chili powder, cumin, sugar, salt, black pepper, allspice, thyme, cayenne pepper, sage, nutmeg, and cinnamon together in a bowl and stir until well combined.
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Turn on a medium sized slow cooker and set to high. Add the diced onions, habanero, and garlic to the slow cooker. If you are choosing to cook on the stove top, cook 5-10 minutes in 1/4 c of olive oil. *Note: Habanero peppers are very spicy. Please take care to use gloves when mincing. Removal of seeds will help attenuate the heat. Alternatively you may use jalapeno peppers if you do not like spicy food.
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Add the spice mix to the slow cooker. Zest the orange and the lime and add. Juice the oranges and lime and add. Stir to incorporate.
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Add the black beans, crushed tomatoes, water, and chicken breasts to the slow cooker. Cook, covered, 3-4 hours on high (or 7-8 hours on low). Check liquid levels and adjust with more water if necessary.
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When chili has cooked 3-4 hours, remove the chicken breasts and shred before returning to chili.
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Serve over rice if desired, garnished with sour cream, cheese, cilantro, green onions, and lime wedges.
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