Welcome to Sweet Emily’s kitchen! Get ready to discover your new favorite comfort food with this easy and creamy white chicken chili recipe. It’s wonderfully flavorful, packed with hearty ingredients, and offers a delicious alternative to traditional beef chili. This satisfying meal comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights and a hit with the whole family.
Why You’ll Love This White Chicken Chili Recipe
This isn’t just any chili; it’s a bowl of pure comfort! Here are some reasons this white chicken chili recipe will become a staple in your home:
- It’s incredibly quick and easy to prepare, ideal for weeknight dinners after a long day.
- This chili is wonderfully hearty, warming, and comforting, perfect for chilly evenings.
- It offers a lighter, yet still satisfying, alternative to heavier beef chilis.
- You’ll use simple, readily available pantry ingredients for a fuss-free meal.
- It’s highly customizable with your favorite toppings, letting everyone create their perfect bowl.
- This recipe is fantastic for meal prepping, and leftovers taste even better the next day.
Ingredients
For this fantastic white chicken chili recipe, you’ll need a blend of fresh and pantry staples to create a rich, creamy flavor.
- Chicken: 2 1/2 cups shredded cooked rotisserie or leftover chicken.
- Aromatics: 1 small yellow onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, finely minced.
- Liquid: 2 (14.5 oz) cans low-sodium chicken broth.
- Chilies: 1 (7 oz) can diced green chilies.
- 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 freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
- Creaminess: 1 (8 oz) pkg Neufchatel cheese (light cream cheese), cut into small cubes.
- Vegetables: 1 1/4 cup frozen or fresh corn.
- Beans: 2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans.
- Freshness: 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for serving.
- Optional Toppings: Tortilla chips or strips, Monterrey Jack cheese, sliced avocado for serving.
- Other: 1 tbsp olive oil.
Notes & Substitutions
You have flexibility with your ingredients. Use shredded rotisserie chicken for ultimate convenience and flavor in your creamy white chicken chili. Alternatively, cook two raw chicken breasts, then shred them. For beans, cannellini beans work wonderfully, but great northern, garbanzo, or pinto beans are excellent substitutions.
Neufchatel cheese keeps this dish lighter, but regular cream cheese works fine for a richer result. Don’t skip the fresh lime juice; it brightens all the flavors. Adjust the cayenne pepper to your liking if you prefer more or less heat in this easy white chicken chili.
Equipment
You don’t need fancy tools for this delicious white chicken chili recipe. Here’s what will make your cooking smooth and easy:
- A large pot, like a Dutch oven, is ideal for simmering your chili evenly.
- A food processor helps create that signature creamy texture from the pureed beans.
- A fine mesh strainer or colander makes draining and rinsing your beans simple.
How to Make White Chicken Chili
Making this delicious white chicken chili recipe is straightforward. Follow these steps for a comforting meal:
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the diced yellow onion and sauté for about 4 minutes, until it softens.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds. Watch carefully to avoid burning the garlic.
- Simmer Broth & Spices: Pour in the chicken broth and add the canned green chilies. Stir in the cumin, paprika, oregano, coriander, and cayenne pepper. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Boil & Reduce: Bring the mixture just to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it gently simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Prepare Beans: While the chili simmers, drain and rinse both cans of cannellini beans using a fine mesh strainer or colander. Measure out 1 cup of the rinsed beans and set the remaining whole beans aside. Transfer the 1 cup of beans to a food processor with 1/4 cup of broth from your simmering soup. Puree until the mixture is nearly smooth; this is key to the chili’s creaminess.
- Add Cream & Vegetables: Add the cubed Neufchatel cheese, the corn (frozen or fresh), the reserved whole cannellini beans, and the pureed bean mixture into the pot. Stir everything together until the cheese fully melts and incorporates into the chili.
- Simmer Again: Continue to simmer the chili for another 5-10 minutes. This allows the new additions to warm through and the flavors to further deepen.
- Finish with Chicken & Freshness: Stir in the shredded cooked chicken, fresh lime juice, and chopped fresh cilantro. Cook for just a minute or two to warm the chicken through.
- Serve: Ladle the creamy white chicken chili into individual bowls. Garnish with your favorite toppings like shredded Monterrey Jack cheese, extra cilantro, avocado slices, and tortilla chips. Enjoy your delicious homemade meal!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieve the perfect creamy white chicken chili every time with these helpful tips.
- Creaminess Secret: Don’t skip pureeing some of the cannellini beans. This natural thickener adds incredible body and creaminess without heavy cream. It’s the secret to a luscious texture in your easy white chicken chili. Learn more about how this technique is a natural way to achieve a rich texture by understanding how to thicken soups using pureed beans.
- Flavorful Chicken: Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken saves time and adds deep, savory flavor. The seasoned skin and cooked meat contribute wonderfully to the chili’s richness.
- Softening Cheese: Ensure your Neufchatel or cream cheese is at room temperature. This helps it melt smoothly and blend into the chili without clumping.
- Adjust Spice Level: The recipe includes a mild amount of cayenne pepper. For more heat, add an extra pinch or two of cayenne. For less, simply omit it. You can also add a finely diced jalapeño with the onions.
- Build-Your-Own Topping Bar: Offer a variety of toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, and tortilla strips. This lets everyone customize their bowl.
Serving Suggestions, Storage, & Variations
This versatile white chicken chili recipe is fantastic on its own or paired with your favorite sides.
- Serving: This hearty chili pairs perfectly with warm cornbread or a side of fluffy rice. A crisp green salad makes a great light complement.
- Storage: Store any leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors often improve overnight!
- Reheating: Gently reheat portions on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through, or use the microwave in short intervals, stirring frequently.
- Freezing: This white chicken chili freezes beautifully. Once cooled completely, transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some headspace. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Slow Cooker Method: Adapt this recipe for your slow cooker method! Start by sautéing the onions and garlic, then transfer them to the slow cooker with the broth, chilies, and spices. Add raw chicken breasts and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken shreds easily. Remove chicken, shred, then stir in cheese, corn, beans (pureed and whole), lime, and cilantro. Add shredded chicken back and cook for another 30 minutes.
- Spice Variations: Boost the heat by adding fresh, diced jalapeños or serrano peppers with the onions. A dash of chili powder or some fire-roasted poblano peppers also adds depth.
- Vegetable Additions: Feel free to stir in some fresh spinach during the last few minutes of cooking, or add diced bell peppers along with the onions for extra color and nutrition.
Nutrition Information
This creamy white chicken chili provides a wholesome and satisfying meal. It’s packed with protein and a good source of fiber, making it a nutritious choice for your family. For a deeper understanding of why beans are a valuable addition to your diet, consider the impressive health benefits of dietary fiber found in beans.
| Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, 6 servings) | |
|---|---|
| Calories: 383 kcal | Sodium: 525mg |
| Carbohydrates: 35g | Potassium: 516mg |
| Protein: 33g | Fiber: 8g |
| Fat: 14g | Sugar: 5g |
| Saturated Fat: 6g | Vitamin A: 560 IU |
| Cholesterol: 77mg | Vitamin C: 8.4mg |
| Calcium: 166mg | |
| Iron: 5mg |
Please note that these values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers for making your perfect white chicken chili.
- What chicken is best for white chicken chili? Pre-cooked, shredded chicken works best for convenience and flavor. Rotisserie chicken is ideal, or use leftover cooked chicken breast.
- Can I use other types of beans? Absolutely! Great northern beans or pinto beans are excellent substitutes for cannellini beans in this recipe.
- How do I make the chili thicker? Pureeing some of the beans creates a natural thickness. For an even thicker consistency, simply simmer the chili uncovered for a few extra minutes.
- Can I make this chili ahead of time? Yes, this chili is perfect for making ahead! The flavors actually deepen and improve after a day or two in the refrigerator.
- Is white chicken chili spicy? The base recipe offers a mild warmth. You can easily adjust the cayenne pepper to make it as spicy or as mild as you prefer.
Conclusion
We hope you’re excited to try this delightful and easy white chicken chili recipe! It brings together rich flavors, creamy texture, and hearty ingredients for a meal that truly satisfies. Perfect for beginners and busy parents alike, it proves that delicious, homemade comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. Give this recipe a try and let us know what you think – we love hearing your feedback!
