Description
Creamy White Chicken Chili is a flavorful, comforting stew combining tender chicken, white beans, green chilies, and creamy textures with a gentle hint of spice. Perfect for cozy dinners or feeding a crowd, this easy-to-make recipe delivers a warm, satisfying meal with versatile flavor and simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1.5 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs
Beans
- 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, such as cannellini or Great Northern, drained and rinsed
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1–2 jalapeños, seeded and chopped (optional)
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
Liquids & Dairy
- 4 cups chicken broth (gluten-free if needed)
- 4 oz cream cheese or 1/2 cup sour cream (or dairy-free alternative)
Spices
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Oil
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil (vegetable or olive oil)
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, minced garlic, and jalapeños if using. Cook until softened and fragrant to create the flavor base.
- Cook the Chicken: Add chicken pieces to the pot and brown them on the outside, locking in moisture for tender meat.
- Add Liquids and Beans: Pour in chicken broth, diced green chilies, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, pepper, and drained white beans. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer and Tenderize: Reduce heat to low and let the chili simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and the chicken to become tender and juicy.
- Stir in the Creaminess: Add cream cheese or sour cream gradually, stirring until fully melted and incorporated, creating the signature creamy texture of the chili.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic and onions for a more vibrant flavor.
- Simmering slowly helps develop deeper, melded flavors.
- Add cream cheese in small amounts to control creaminess and richness.
- Shred cooked chicken to evenly distribute throughout the chili.
- Taste and adjust seasonings before serving for a personalized flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with mushrooms and add extra beans.
- For more spice, add chipotle peppers in adobo or extra jalapeños.
- Use coconut milk or vegan cream cheese for a dairy-free adaptation.
- This recipe can be made in a slow cooker; add cream cheese at the end.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg