Easy Chili

This could also easily be filed under "Favorite Things"  - as a matter of fact it will be! I love, love, love chili!  This one is so easy, I make it all the time.  It's also one of the kids favorite dishes so thats an added bonus.  Every time I make it I change it up a bit based on what's in the pantry.  Here is the basic recipe.  This week, I swapped out the ground beef for ground chicken.  I also used one can of chili style tomatoes and one can of fire roasted tomatoes in place of the two listed.

Easy Chili

Ingredients:
1lb ground beef
1 can (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes (green peppers and onions)
1 can (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes (w/chilis)
1 cup chicken broth
2 garlic cloves, pressed
3 Tablespoons tomato paste
1 Tablespoon of chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
salt and pepper to taste
crushed red pepper (I add this and the chili powder afterwards because the kids don't like the spice)
1 can (15 ounces) dark kidney beans. rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) light kidney beans. rinsed and drained

Toppings can include any or all of the following: shredded cheese, chopped onions, chopped jalapenos, avocado, crushed tortilla chips, sour cream, hot sauce.

Cook beef  over medium heat until no longer pink, drain and return to pot. 
Stir in both cans of tomatoes, and all ingredients up to the beans.
Reduce heat to medium low and let simmer, uncovered, for one hour, stirring occasionally.
Stir in beans and simmer for 15 minutes more.

Serve over rice and add toppings.