Chili Contest: Entry 3 + Buffalo Chicken Bites (!)

I meant to get a post up yesterday on this week’s chili contest entry, but I spent the day staining our fence with Mr. P:

Not exactly how I best enjoy my Sundays, but it had to get gone started! Sadly, we only finished one side…next weekend, weather permitting, we’ll be finishing the other side. Uggh…grumble grumble!

We had some company for the Illini game this weekend, and one of them sampled this week’s chili…and liked it! I do believe he even went back for seconds! The other visitor is a hater of all things vegetables, so he stuck with the buffalo chicken bites (keep reading…).

Chili on the Bayou! from Jordan of Case In Points

1/2-3/4 pound 12 ounces andouille sausage, chopped
1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
1 1/2 pounds ground pork
3 celery sticks, chopped
1 large white onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons hot sauce (like Red Hot or Tabasco)
2 tablespoons chili powder
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons cumin
2 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
3 cups low-sodium chicken stock
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce, about 15 oz
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 bunches scallions, chopped
1 large bag plain Fritos or corn chips (optional, not accounted for in nutritional info)

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven pot and cook the andouille sausage for about 2 minutes. Add the ground chicken and pork in an even layer; spread out, don’t let it get too full. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and scrape up the bits at the bottom. Continue to cook until all the meat is nice and brown. To the pot, add the celery, onion, green bell pepper and garlic, and cook for 3-4 minutes.

Add the hot sauce, chili powder, cumin, paprika and cayenne, and continue cooking for another minute. Pour in the stock, crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce, bring to a bubble and turn down to a simmer. Let cook for another 20 minutes or until reduced.

Serve with some crushed fritos and chopped scallions on top. Serves 10.

Nutrition Information (per serving): 364 calories; 13.3 g. fat; 128 mg. cholesterol; 942 mg. sodium; 14.7 g. carbohydrate; 3.7 g. fiber; 47.4 g. protein

Result: This was a hearty, meaty chili…with no beans. If someone you know doesn’t enjoy beans, this is their chili! If I made this chili again, I’d use something other than andoullie sausage — I am personally not a fan of smokey-flavored meats. But overall, this was an excellent chili. It was soupier than a lot of traditional chilis, and I like that. Spicy, too…woo! Love it! Very good!

And paired with chili was a Mr. P pleaser: Buffalo Chicken Bites. Basically, the same ingredients as Buffalo Chicken Dip, but with a bit of a twist!

Buffalo Chicken Bites lightened up from Pennies on a Platter

3 cups shredded cooked chicken
1/2 cup hot sauce (use a fat-free, zero-calorie variety)
3 1/2 4 oz. low-fat cream cheese, softened
1 3/4 1 1/2cups sharp 2% shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1 cup all-purpose flour*
4 eggs, lightly beaten*
3 – 4 cups Cornflakes cereal, crushed*

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350˚F.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.  In a large bowl, mix the chicken, cream cheese and hot sauce until combined.  Stir in the cheddar cheese and green onions.

Using a small cookie or ice cream scoop, spoon out the chicken mixture and roll into about 1 1/2 inch balls.  Place on a plate until ready to dip.

In three separate bowls, set out the flour, eggs and Cornflakes.  Dip each chicken ball first into the flour, then the egg and ending with the Cornflakes.  Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.  Serve warm with ranch or blue cheese dressing. Makes 15 bites.

Nutrition Information* (per bite): 134 calories; 5.6 g. fat; 74 mg. cholesterol; 348 mg. sodium; 7.5 g. carbohydrate; 0.4 g. fiber; 14.7 g. protein

*Nutrition calculated with the amount of eggs, flour, and Cornflakes actually used in preparation.

Result: Obviously wonderful. I hate how high in sodium wing sauce is — bummer. The calories for one bite, while higher than I thought, is reasonable. The bites are truly 3+ bites, so it’s not a one pop deal for the 134 calories. Using the low fat cream cheese and cheese makes a big difference in the fat and calorie content, which is helpful…and I don’t think flavor is sacrificed at all. We’ll be making these again…plenty.

Back to the grind.

Question: What’s the best thing you ate this weekend?

…And do you think Lily needs braces? 😉

Have a super Monday!