If you are searching for a comforting dish that bursts with warmth, flavor, and just the right amount of spice, this White Chicken Chili Recipe is your new best friend. Packed with tender chicken, creamy beans, and a harmonious blend of spices, this delightful chili is a perfect balance of hearty and smooth. Whether you want a cozy dinner for your family or an impressive meal to share, this recipe’s rich texture and fresh garnishes will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s more than just chili; it’s a creamy, satisfying hug in a bowl that you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this White Chicken Chili Recipe is a breeze because each one plays a vital role in building layers of delicious flavor. From the fragrant spices to the creamy beans and the tender chicken, every element contributes to the perfect balance of taste, texture, and visual appeal in your bowl.
- Olive oil: A heart-healthy fat that helps soften the onions and toast the garlic for a rich base.
- Medium onion (diced): Adds sweetness and depth once caramelized slightly in the pot.
- Garlic cloves (minced): Infuses the chili with a wonderful fragrant punch.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts (cubed or shredded): The main protein providing tenderness and substantial flavor.
- White beans (cannellini or Great Northern, drained and rinsed): Bring creaminess and earthiness to the chili’s body.
- Diced green chilies: Introduce a mild heat and brightness to balance the creaminess.
- Ground cumin: A warm spice that adds smokiness and depth.
- Dried oregano: Offers a subtle herbaceous note to complement the other spices.
- Chili powder: Provides essential warmth and complexity.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): Kick up the heat if you prefer a spicier chili.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: The flavorful liquid base that brings everything together.
- Frozen or canned corn: Adds slight sweetness and a pleasant pop of texture.
- Sour cream: Contributes to the silky, tangy creaminess.
- Half-and-half or heavy cream: Makes the chili luxuriously smooth and rich.
- Juice of half a lime: Introduces a bright, zesty finish to balance the creaminess.
- Fresh chopped cilantro and shredded Monterey Jack cheese (optional garnishes): Bring freshness and melty, cheesy goodness on top.
How to Make White Chicken Chili Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics and Chicken
Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until it becomes tender and slightly translucent—this softens it up nicely and brings out natural sweetness. Next, toss in the minced garlic and stir for another 30 seconds to release its fragrant aroma. Add the cubed or shredded chicken and cook until it turns lightly golden and is cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. This creates a robust base of flavor you’ll build upon with the rest of the ingredients.
Step 2: Add Beans, Spices, and Broth
Once your chicken is ready, stir in the white beans and diced green chilies. These add hearty texture and gentle heat, respectively. Now sprinkle in the ground cumin, dried oregano, chili powder, optional cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. The blend of these spices marries beautifully to make this chili delightfully flavorful. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the whole mixture to a gentle simmer—this allows the flavors to mingle and develop fully over the next 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 3: Stir in Corn and Creamy Ingredients
After simmering, stir in the corn, sour cream, and half-and-half or heavy cream. This step is where your chili becomes irresistibly creamy and smooth without losing the heartiness of a traditional chili. Let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes more to heat through and thicken slightly, ensuring every spoonful is luscious and satisfying.
Step 4: Finish with Lime and Garnishes
Remove the pot from heat and squeeze in the juice of half a lime, which brightens and balances the creamy richness perfectly. Give it a good stir to mix everything together. Serve your White Chicken Chili Recipe hot, garnished with shredded Monterey Jack cheese and fresh cilantro if you like. These finishing touches add an inviting color and fresh flavor that elevate the entire dish.
How to Serve White Chicken Chili Recipe
Garnishes
Adding garnishes is a simple yet powerful way to personalize this chili. Fresh cilantro brings a pop of herbal brightness that contrasts beautifully with the creamy base. Shredded Monterey Jack cheese melts over the top, enriching every bite with indulgent cheesy goodness. For extra zing, a few lime wedges on the side encourage everyone to add a touch of citrus as they please.
Side Dishes
This chili pairs wonderfully with warm cornbread or a crunchy tortilla chip side, perfect for scooping up every last bit. A crisp green salad or a bowl of avocado slices also complements the rich flavors while adding freshness and crunch to your meal. If you want more heat, serve with a side of hot sauce or jalapeño slices.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve this White Chicken Chili Recipe in bread bowls for a cozy, self-contained meal. Alternatively, layering it over rice or baked potatoes can turn it into a hearty dinner option. You can also offer a toppings bar where everyone adds their favorite garnishes, making mealtime interactive and personalized.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your chili, transfer any leftovers into airtight containers and refrigerate promptly. This White Chicken Chili Recipe keeps well for 3 to 4 days, making it a fantastic choice for planning meals ahead without sacrificing flavor.
Freezing
If you want to save some for a future cozy night, this chili freezes beautifully. Pour into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving room for expansion. It will maintain its great taste and texture for up to 3 months, making it a perfect make-ahead meal for busy days.
Reheating
Reheat your leftover White Chicken Chili Recipe gently on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. You may want to add a splash of broth or water if it thickens too much. Alternatively, use a microwave, heating in short intervals to maintain the creamy texture and avoid curdling.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken in this White Chicken Chili Recipe?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut that adds a delicious roasted flavor. Simply shred the cooked chicken and add it in step 2, reducing the cooking time slightly since the chicken is already cooked.
Is this chili spicy?
This recipe offers a gentle heat by default with the chili powder and green chilies, but you can easily adjust the spiciness by adding cayenne pepper or extra chilies to your preference.
Can I substitute the cream and sour cream if I want a lighter version?
Yes, you can swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt and use milk instead of half-and-half to reduce fat content, though the chili will be less creamy. Adding these ingredients right at the end of cooking helps maintain the smooth texture.
What beans work best in this chili?
Cannellini or Great Northern beans are ideal because of their creamy texture and mild flavor, but you can experiment with other white beans you enjoy. Just be sure to rinse and drain canned beans well to keep the chili from becoming too thick.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Sure! Simply omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. For added protein and texture, add extra beans or cubes of firm tofu.
Final Thoughts
This White Chicken Chili Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening—comforting, flavorful, and effortlessly satisfying. I hope you give it a try, whether for a cozy night in or to impress friends with your cooking. Once you make it, I bet it will become a family favorite you’ll reach for again and again.
Print
White Chicken Chili Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This White Chicken Chili is a creamy, comforting blend of tender chicken, white beans, and a mild mix of spices. Perfectly seasoned with cumin, oregano, and a touch of heat from green chilies and cayenne, it’s a delicious twist on traditional chili that’s quick to prepare on the stovetop. Garnished with fresh cilantro and Monterey Jack cheese, this hearty dish is both flavorful and satisfying, ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed or shredded
- 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen or canned corn
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup half-and-half or heavy cream
For Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh chopped cilantro
- Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Juice of ½ lime
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened and translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the cubed or shredded chicken breasts to the pot. Cook for about 5 to 6 minutes until the chicken is lightly browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Add Beans and Spices: Stir in the drained white beans, diced green chilies, ground cumin, dried oregano, chili powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Mix well to incorporate all the ingredients.
- Simmer the Chili: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Finish with Cream and Corn: Stir in the frozen or canned corn, sour cream, and half-and-half (or heavy cream). Let the chili simmer for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until creamy and heated through.
- Final Touches: Remove the pot from heat. Squeeze in the juice of half a lime and stir to combine. Adjust seasoning to taste if needed.
- Serve: Ladle the chili into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Add additional lime wedges if desired. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
- For extra richness, use rotisserie chicken and stir in 2 oz of cream cheese along with the sour cream.
- This chili freezes well; portion into airtight containers for easy meal prep and future meals.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to control the level of heat according to preference.
- Use low-sodium broth to manage sodium content effectively.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
