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White Chicken Chili

White Chicken Chili

White Chicken Chili is a warm, comforting, and flavorful meal made with tender shredded chicken, creamy white beans, mild green chilies, and a blend of aromatic spices. This easy-to-make chili features a creamy texture from cream cheese or sour cream, balanced flavors without overwhelming heat, and wholesome ingredients that provide protein and fiber. Perfect for weeknight dinners, family meals, or sharing, it’s a versatile recipe adaptable to various dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Broth

  • 1.5 pounds boneless chicken breast
  • 4 cups chicken broth

Beans and Vegetables

  • 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans (Great Northern or Cannellini), drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Spices and Herbs

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Creaminess

  • 4 ounces cream cheese or ½ cup sour cream

Garnish

  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Cook the boneless chicken breasts in a pot with a little oil over medium heat until fully cooked through and no longer pink inside, about 10-12 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it using two forks or chop into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, approximately 3-5 minutes. This creates a flavorful base for the chili.
  3. Combine Ingredients: Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Add drained white beans, chopped green chilies, chicken broth, cumin, and oregano. Stir everything to combine evenly.
  4. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for about 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chili to thicken slightly.
  5. Add Creaminess: Stir in the cream cheese or sour cream until fully melted and incorporated, giving the chili a smooth, creamy texture.
  6. Finish and Garnish: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste, then remove from heat. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving.

Notes

  • Use similar-sized chicken pieces for even cooking and ease of shredding.
  • Rinse canned beans well to reduce excess sodium and improve flavor.
  • Simmer the chili slowly to let flavors develop without drying out ingredients.
  • Adjust broth quantity to reach your preferred chili consistency; add more broth or water if too thick.
  • Squeeze fresh lime juice over the chili just before serving to brighten the flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: White Chicken Chili, chicken chili, creamy chili, easy chili recipe, healthy chili, weeknight meal, comfort food