Chicken Chili Pot Pie

This hearty and comforting chicken chili is made with poblano chiles and butternut squash. You can make individual servings in 10-ounce ramekins or one large pot pie using a 3-quart baking dish. Either way, everyone will love the puffed, cheesy cilantro-grits crust.

Serves 6

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds ground dark meat chicken
2 poblano chiles, seeded and chopped
1 medium-size yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/2 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed (about 2 cups)
3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
3 1/2 cups water
1 cup uncooked yellow stone-ground grits
8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more cilantro leaves for garnish
3 large eggs, lightly beaten

Preparation

1. Cook chicken, poblano chiles, onion, and garlic in a Dutch oven over medium-high until meat crumbles and is no longer pink, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, and cumin, and cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Stir in black beans, tomatoes, and chicken stock; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes.

2. Stir in squash, and cook until squash is just beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon of the salt and 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper. Transfer chili to 6 lightly greased 10 oz. ramekins (or a 3-quart baking dish).

3. Preheat oven to 400°F. Bring water and 1 teaspoon of the salt to a boil in a large saucepan over high; whisk in grits, and cook, stirring often, until tender and thickened, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat, and whisk in cheese and cilantro. Stir in remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Gradually stir about one-fourth of grits mixture into eggs; add egg mixture to remaining hot grits mixture, stirring constantly. Spoon hot grits mixture over chili.

4. Bake in preheated oven until crust is set and golden, 22 to 25 minutes for ramekins or 30 to 35 minutes for baking dish. Let stand 10 minutes. Garnish with cilantro leaves, if desired.

Southern Living
October 2017