Simply Yaya: Cream Cheese White Chicken Chili

Simply Yaya

Wednesday, 12 October 2022 08:38

Soup’s on…
It’s my favorite time of year. Those glorious two whole weeks of fall us Alabamians might get if we are lucky. I drive to work with my heated seats on in the morning and drive home with the windows down hanging my head out the window, trying to soak in every single second of this weather, because Lord knows it won’t last long. Only in the South do you run the heat and the air conditioning in the same day.

I am a fall-a-holic. I love the leaves changing color, flannel shirts, boots and all things orange. And pumpkin spice. Oh, how I love pumpkin spice. Most folks fall into one of two categories: Those who love pumpkin spice and those who don’t. You will find me over here waiting on October and November like a kid at Christmas.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the ocean breeze and a good beach read, but if you give me a choice of sitting beachside or watching the leaves fall next to a fire pit, those leaves are gonna win every time. Fall is magical! Have I mentioned I love it?

Speaking of seasons, I’m coming into a new one in my life. Changing jobs and lifestyles and well, I can only hope this new season is as glorious as fall. Where life shows me just truly how beautiful it can be when change happens. Like one of those days when you step out your front door and not only feel it in the air you feel it in your soul.

I am so ready. And so very thankful for the seasons of my life that brought me here. The good ones and the bad. I am thankful for family and friends who keep me grounded all while cheering me on. For a precious hometown that makes me proud to call it my own. You can have your big city living; I will take my little corner of North Alabama all day every day and twice on Sundays.

Today has been a good day, and when I rolled that window down, Anne Wilson came on the radio singing one of my favorites. Don’t you just love those days when it’s as if mercy and favor are following you around like a shadow? When it happens in the fall, well, it is just pure heaven.

“And this aching in my heart is what reminds me
There’s no place like home…”

Here’s another reason to love Fall. It’s soup time. When you can have an entire meal in one bowl all the while feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Don’t forget the pan of cornbread to go with it, too.

Cream Cheese White Chicken Chili
Ingredients:
3-4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 1 can (14.5 oz) chicken broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes do not drain
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans beans drained & rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) corn do not drain
• 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces cream cheese cubed
Instructions:
1. Spray the insert of a slow cooker with cooking spray. Lay the chicken breasts on the bottom.
2. Pour the chicken broth, petite diced tomatoes, black beans, and corn over top of the chicken.
3. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning packet, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and kosher salt over top. Stir together to combine.
4. Cut the cream cheese into small cubes, about 8-12 pieces, and lay them on top.
5. Cover with the lid and cook on LOW heat for 7-8 hours.
6. Remove chicken and shred with two forks. Return it back to the slow cooker and stir everything together until creamy.