Apple Cider Sweet Potato Chicken Chili

Y'all, I was inspired by a recipe I found online to make a chili with Apple Cider! Of course, I started to add my own twists to the recipe and thought I would share it here!

Apple Cider Sweet Potato Chili

3 chicken breasts (optional)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 onion, chopped
1/2 bell pepper, chopped (any color will work)
4 celery stalks, chopped
1 can Great Northern Beans, drained & rinsed
1 can Light Red Kidney Beans, drained & rinsed
1 sweet potato, peeled & chopped into small pieces
2 1/2 cups apple cider
3 cups chicken broth
1 t chili powder
1 t kosher salt
1/2 t black pepper, ground
1/2 t paprika
1/4t cayenne

1. Heat olive oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onions, garlic and peppers, cook until onions are translucent. After cooked, put mixture in a bowl. 
2. In same large pot, fill with water and bring to a boil. 
3. Chop chicken into small, bite size pieces and add to boiling water. Cook for about 7 - 10 minutes, until chicken is cooked through. 
4. While the chicken is cooking, drain & rinse beans and add to the bowl with the onion mixture. Also add chopped celery and sweet potato to this mixture. 
5. Once chicken is cooked, drain. 
6. Add onion mixture, cubed chicken pieces, chicken broth, apple cider and remaining ingredients (herbs) to the large pot. Bring to a boil.
7. Once pot is boiling, turn down on simmer and let thicken (about 30 minutes to 1 hour). 
8. 1/2 way through cooking, smash 1/3 of the beans onto the side of the pot, this will help to naturally thicken the chili.