In the spirit of the Great Beer Deserves Great Food movement, we’ll be dishing up Perfect Pairing recipes for all to enjoy. First up, a recipe from Whole Foods Market in Chicago’s South Loop region.

Hennepin Chicken Chili

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless, chicken thighs
• 1 12-oz bottle of Ommegang Hennepin Farmhouse Ale
• 1 lg. yellow onion large – diced
• 4 cloves of garlic – minced
• 1.5 cup chicken broth
• 1.5 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp fresh oregano
• 1.5 tsp Louisiana hot sauce
• 1 cup dry white beans
• 1 bag frozen corn
• Juice of 2 limes
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: 

1. Heat olive oil in a pan.
2. While heating olive oil in a pan, brown chicken chicken breasts.
3. Remove browned chicken breasts and use same pan to caramelize onions and garlic.
4. Deglaze pan with Hennepin, bringing to a boil until reduced by 1/4.
5. Add all ingredients into a slow cooker, and cook until beans are soft for about 3-4 hours on low.
6. Add Salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes.  Serve.

The Man Behind the Recipe: Stephen, Prepared Food Dept Associate Team Leader at Whole Foods Market South Loop.

Stephen has worked in various bar/kitchens in Kansas City learning Midwestern comfort food.  This type of cooking quickly became his passion.  He is constantly on the hunt for new recipes with roots to the Midwest.  The Midwestern style chicken chili recipe he chose came via a friend  from Minneapolis; saying that adding Hennepin to the recipe gives it a depth that light beers cannot match.  

For more Perfect Pairing ideas, check Whole Foods Market – South Loop out here:  Website | Facebook | Twitter