White Chicken Chili is a hearty, flavorful, and creamy dish that’s perfect for cozy nights or casual gatherings. This dish stands out from traditional chili recipes by swapping red chili bases for a creamy white broth filled with tender chicken, white beans, and a blend of spices.
What Is White Chicken Chili?
White Chicken Chili is a Tex-Mex-inspired dish made with shredded chicken, white beans (such as cannellini or great northern beans), green chiles, and a creamy broth. Unlike traditional beef-based chili, this recipe has a lighter, creamier texture, often enhanced with ingredients like cream cheese or sour cream.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under an hour with minimal prep.
- Family-Friendly: Mild spice levels make it suitable for all ages.
- Customizable: Adjust ingredients to suit dietary needs or taste preferences.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Great for make-ahead meals and leftovers.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect White Chicken Chili
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: Save time by using shredded rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own. It’s a great shortcut for busy weeknights.
- Mash Some Beans: For a thicker consistency, mash a portion of the white beans before adding them to the pot.
- Season Gradually: Start with less seasoning and adjust to taste. Remember, flavors deepen as the chili simmers.
- Add Fresh Lime Juice: A squeeze of lime before serving brightens the flavors and adds a fresh touch.
- Use a Dutch Oven: For even cooking and excellent heat distribution, prepare your chili in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven.
Variations of White Chicken Chili
Instant Pot Version: Use the sauté function to cook onions, garlic, and spices, then pressure cook all ingredients for 10 minutes before shredding the chicken.
Spicy White Chicken Chili: Add diced jalapeños or cayenne pepper for extra heat.
Dairy-Free Version: Swap the cream cheese and sour cream for coconut milk or a plant-based alternative.
Vegetarian White Chili: Substitute chicken with hearty vegetables like zucchini, sweet potatoes, or jackfruit, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili: Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
How to Serve White Chicken Chili
- Classic Toppings: Add a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, and tortilla chips for crunch.
- Side Dishes: Pair with cornbread, a simple green salad, or a crusty baguette.
- As a Dip: Serve with tortilla chips for a party-friendly appetizer.
How to Freeze White chicken chili
Make sure to use an airtight container. Firstly, prepare the recipe and let it cool before you place them on the container and then after it is completely cool put them on your refrigerator or freezer.
Now the most important part, if you are planning to serve it tomorrow then remove from freezer and place in the refrigerator and let it defrost overnight before planning to serve.
And if you want to use a slow cooker then you can cook it on low throughout the day so that chili gets warm or you can also use a microwave or a large stockpot for reheating process.
Recipe FAQs
1. Can I make White Chicken Chili ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, this dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Prepare it a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator.
2. What beans are best for White Chicken Chili?
Cannellini beans and great northern beans are ideal because of their creamy texture. You can also use navy beans as an alternative.
3. Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes! Chicken thighs are more flavorful and stay tender during cooking. Use boneless, skinless thighs for convenience.
4. How can I thicken my chili if it’s too thin?
Mash some of the beans or add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) to thicken the broth.
5. What toppings work best with White Chicken Chili?
The best toppings include shredded Monterey Jack cheese, sliced jalapeños, diced avocado, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, and fresh cilantro.
White Chicken Chili
White Chicken Chili is a hearty, flavorful, and creamy dish that's perfect for cozy nights or casual gatherings. This dish stands out from traditional chili recipes by swapping red chili bases for a creamy white broth filled with tender chicken, white beans, and a blend of spices.
Ingredients
- 2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans
- 2 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie or leftover chicken
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (7 oz) can diced green chilies
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Spices: 1 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 (8 oz) package light cream cheese, cubed
- 1 1/4 cups corn (fresh or frozen)
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, plus extra for garnish
- Optional toppings: Tortilla chips, Monterey Jack cheese, avocado slices
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté for about 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Build the Base: Pour in chicken broth, green chilies, and all the spices. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
- Prep the Beans: Drain and rinse the beans. Set aside one cup of whole beans. Blend the remaining beans with 1/4 cup of the broth from the pot until smooth, using a blender or food processor.
- Creamy Additions: Add cream cheese, corn, whole beans, and pureed beans to the pot. Stir until the cheese melts and everything is well combined. Let it simmer for another 5–10 minutes.
- Finish Strong: Stir in shredded chicken, fresh lime juice, and cilantro. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Serve: Ladle the chili into bowls and top with Monterey Jack cheese, more cilantro, avocado slices, and tortilla chips for added crunch.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
4Amount Per Serving Calories 245Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 28mgSodium 180mgCarbohydrates 21gFiber 6gSugar 3gProtein 13g
dinnerbytes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although dinnerbytes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Still Hungry! Try these Chicken Recipes:
- Baked Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
- Easy Chicken Tikka Masala
- Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
- Easy Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
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