Mountain Flavor: White Chicken Chili

Warm your spirit with winter dishes from some of West Virginia’s top chefs

Paying homage to their Slovenian heritage, Rebecca and Joe Zupanick opened Dobra Zupas, or “good soup,” in Beckley in late 2011. Since then, business has taken off so much, they’ve moved to a beautifully renovated historic home in the city’s downtown— and started brewing beer.

As the first and only craft brewery in Beckley, Dobra Zupas aims to bring new enthusiasm and inspiration to the southern West Virginia restaurant scene.

Through the years, Dobra Zupas has remained true to its initial vision, to serve gourmet food made with the freshest ingredients, with an ever-changing menu at an affordable price. The restaurant has fun pairing unique new dishes with a wide range of craft beers brewed in-house, including their own Java Jive coffee stout, Hopped Up IPA, Wyco Wheat and more.

White Chicken Chili

Serves – 12-18

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 pounds dried navy beans
  • 3 large onions
  • 3 sticks unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup All-purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 cups chicken broth
  • 6 cups half and half
  • 3 tsp Tabasco
  • 4 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 3 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp white pepper
  • 6 mild green chilis, seeded and chopped
  • 6 pounds chicken, cooked, ½-inch dice
  • 4 1/2 cups Monterey Jack
  • 1 1/2 cups sour cream

1- In a large kettle, soak beans in cold water (cover by 2 inches) overnight.

2- Drain beans in a colander and return to kettle with cold water to cover by 2 inches. Cook beans at a bare simmer until tender, about 1 hour, and drain in colander.

3- In a skillet, cook onion in 6 tbs butter over medium heat until softened.

4- In a large heavy kettle melt remaining butter over low heat and whisk in flour. Cook roux, whisking constantly, 3 minutes.

5- Stir in onion and gradually add broth and half/half, whisking constantly. Bring mixture to a boil and simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes, or until thickened.

6- Stir in Tabasco, chili powder, cumin, salt and white pepper.

7- Add beans, chilis, chicken and Monterey Jack and cook mixture over moderately low heat, stirring often, for 20 minutes.

8- Stir sour cream into chili.

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This post was last updated on July 21, 2020