If you are craving something comforting yet delightfully flavorful, this White Chicken Chili Recipe is exactly what you need. Creamy, spicy, and packed with tender chicken, beans, and a touch of heat, this chili redefines what a cozy meal can be. Every spoonful offers layers of tastes and textures that will have you coming back for seconds. Whether it’s a family dinner or a casual gathering with friends, this White Chicken Chili Recipe provides warmth and satisfaction in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these simple yet powerful ingredients is the secret to making a White Chicken Chili Recipe that sings with flavor and richness. Each item adds a unique element, from creaminess and spice to heartiness and freshness, making the dish absolutely unforgettable.
- Chili powder: Adds a gentle, smoky spice to build chili flavor.
- Ground cumin: Brings a warm, earthy depth that complements the chicken perfectly.
- Dried oregano: Offers an herbaceous background note for balance.
- Salt: Essential for enhancing every flavor in your chili.
- Mustard powder: Gives a subtle zing that elevates the seasoning mix.
- Black pepper: Adds mild heat and pungency.
- Cayenne pepper: Provides a kick of heat for those who love spice.
- Red pepper flakes: A pinch adds a touch of fiery excitement.
- Butter: Used for sautéing, it adds richness and helps soften the aromatics.
- Yellow onion (diced): Builds a savory base with sweetness once cooked.
- Jalapeno pepper (seeded and diced): Brings vibrant heat and fresh flavor.
- Garlic (minced): Infuses the chili with its unmistakable aromatic punch.
- Flour: Helps thicken the chili to a wonderful richness.
- Chicken broth: The flavorful liquid base that ties everything together.
- Half and half: Combination of milk and cream for creamy texture without heaviness.
- Cream cheese: Softened to melt smoothly, it gives the chili its signature velvety texture.
- Cannellini beans (canned, drained): Adds hearty creaminess and fiber for satisfying bites.
- Bone-in skinless chicken breast: The star protein, stewing to juicy tenderness.
- Whole kernel sweet corn (canned, drained): Adds little bursts of natural sweetness and texture contrast.
- Mild green chilies (canned, undrained): Enhances chili with mild pungency and color.
- Hot sauce: Injects a layer of tangy heat tailored to your taste.
- Worcestershire sauce: Offers umami depth, making flavors richer and more complex.
- Salt and pepper: For final seasoning adjustments to perfection.
- Lime wedges: For squeezing fresh zest on top when serving.
- Diced avocado: Creamy cool topping that contrasts spicy warmth.
- Sour cream: Adds tanginess and a silky finish.
- Tortilla strips: Crunchy garnish for texture contrast.
- Fritos: Crispy, salty option for an extra layer of indulgence.
- Monterey or Pepper Jack cheese: Shredded for melting delightfully atop the chili.
How to Make White Chicken Chili Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Seasonings
Start by combining chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, mustard powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Setting this blend aside allows the flavors to meld and makes seasoning your chili easier and more consistent.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
In a heavy pot, melt the butter over medium heat before adding diced onion and jalapeno. Cook until softened and fragrant, which usually takes about 5 minutes. This step builds the foundation of flavor that your chili will stand on.
Step 3: Cook Garlic and Flour
Stir in the minced garlic and sprinkle the flour over the veggies. Cook for a couple of minutes while stirring, allowing the flour to absorb the butter and form a light roux. This ensures your chili will thicken beautifully without lumps.
Step 4: Add Broth and Dairy
Slowly pour in the chicken broth and the half and half, stirring continuously for a smooth mixture. The half and half introduces creaminess early on, setting the stage for that silky chili consistency.
Step 5: Incorporate Beans for Thickness
For a thicker texture, blend about half of the cannellini beans with some broth until smooth, then stir this puree back into the pot along with the remaining whole beans. This step boosts both texture and flavor layers in your chili.
Step 6: Season and Simmer
Add the prepared seasoning mix, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and mild green chilies. Let your chili simmer gently for about 15 minutes, letting the flavors come together and the heat mellow and deepen.
Step 7: Cook the Chicken and Add Corn
Season the chicken breasts with a pinch of salt and pepper and add them to the pot along with the drained sweet corn. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. The sweet corn adds unexpected pops of sweetness that balance the heat beautifully.
Step 8: Shred Chicken and Add Cream Cheese
Remove the chicken breasts and shred them finely with two forks. Stir the shredded chicken back into the chili along with the softened cream cheese. Stir until the cream cheese melts fully, lending your chili a luxurious, creamy texture that is simply irresistible.
Step 9: Adjust Seasonings and Serve Hot
Before plating, taste and adjust salt, pepper, or hot sauce to match your flavor preference. Serve your White Chicken Chili Recipe hot, inviting everyone to enjoy the delightful combination of creamy, spicy, and satisfying notes.
How to Serve White Chicken Chili Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing this White Chicken Chili Recipe is where you can get creative and add texture and freshness. Top it with diced avocado for creamy coolness, a dollop of sour cream for tang, fresh lime wedges for that pop of citrus brightness, and crunchy tortilla strips or Fritos to add a satisfying crunch.
Side Dishes
This chili is a full meal, but pairing it with cornbread, a fresh green salad, or even a bowl of steamed rice makes it even heartier. The simplicity of these sides balances out the richness and spice of the chili.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the chili in small bowls topped with shredded Monterey or Pepper Jack cheese, which melts into a luscious blanket over the chili. You could also think of turning this chili into a loaded nacho platter by spooning it over tortilla chips and adding your favorite garnishes on top.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This White Chicken Chili Recipe stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers sometimes even better than fresh!
Freezing
You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Just make sure to cool the chili completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
Reheat your chili gently on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally until hot throughout. Adding a splash of chicken broth or half and half can restore the creamy consistency if it thickened during storage.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will add extra richness and stay tender during cooking. Just adjust cooking time slightly as thighs may take a bit longer or shorter depending on size.
Is this recipe spicy?
This White Chicken Chili Recipe has a gentle to moderate spice level thanks to the jalapeno, cayenne, and hot sauce. You can adjust the heat up or down to your liking by tweaking these ingredients.
Can I make this chili vegetarian?
To make it vegetarian, omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can add extra beans, corn, or even diced potatoes for heartiness.
What can I use instead of cream cheese?
If you want a lighter version, you can substitute cream cheese with sour cream or Greek yogurt, though the texture will be a bit less creamy and thick.
Is it necessary to blend some of the beans?
Blending some beans is optional but highly recommended because it naturally thickens the chili and enhances the creamy texture without adding extra thickeners.
Final Thoughts
This White Chicken Chili Recipe is a keeper that brings warmth, comfort, and a burst of flavor to your table. Easy to prepare but impressive in taste, it quickly becomes a favorite for both weeknights and entertaining. Give it a try and watch it become the dish everyone requests again and again!
Print
White Chicken Chili Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This creamy and flavorful White Chicken Chili combines tender shredded chicken with cannellini beans, mild green chilies, and a blend of warm spices simmered in a rich broth. Perfectly balanced with a hint of heat from jalapeños and cayenne, it’s a comforting dish that serves as a delicious alternative to traditional red chili. Garnish with lime wedges, avocado, sour cream, and crispy tortilla strips for a perfect bowl every time.
Ingredients
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Main Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 large jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1/3 cup half and half (half milk, half cream)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 (15.5 oz) cans cannellini beans, drained
- 1½ lbs bone-in skinless chicken breast
- 1 (15.25 oz) can whole kernel sweet corn, drained
- 2 (4 oz) cans mild green chilies, undrained
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Garnishes
- Lime wedges
- Diced avocado
- Sour cream
- Tortilla strips
- Fritos
- Monterey or Pepper Jack cheese
Instructions
- Prepare seasonings: In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, mustard powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes. Set this seasoning mix aside for later use.
- Sauté aromatics: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and jalapeño and cook until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and flour: Stir in minced garlic and then sprinkle the flour over the mixture. Cook while stirring for about 1-2 minutes to create a roux and eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Add liquids: Gradually whisk in chicken broth and half and half, ensuring the mixture is smooth and lump-free. Bring the broth to a gentle simmer.
- Blend beans (optional): For added creaminess, blend about half of the drained cannellini beans with some broth until smooth, then stir this back into the pot along with the remaining whole beans.
- Add flavorings and simmer: Stir in the prepared seasoning mix, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and the undrained mild green chilies. Let everything simmer gently for about 15 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Cook chicken and corn: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then add them whole to the simmering chili along with the drained corn. Continue to simmer until the chicken is cooked through, approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Shred chicken and finish chili: Remove the chicken breasts, shred them with forks, and return the shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in the softened cream cheese until fully melted and incorporated to create a creamy texture.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste the chili and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional hot sauce as desired. Serve hot topped with lime wedges, diced avocado, sour cream, crispy tortilla strips, Fritos, and shredded Monterey or Pepper Jack cheese.
Notes
- For a thicker chili, blending some cannellini beans with broth adds creaminess and body.
- Bone-in chicken breasts provide more flavor during cooking, but skinless is preferred to keep the chili light.
- If you prefer more heat, leave some jalapeño seeds or add extra cayenne pepper.
- This chili reheats well and flavors deepen the next day.
- Substitute bone-in chicken breasts with boneless if preferred; adjust cooking time accordingly.
