White Chicken Chili

Imagine a steaming bowl of white chicken chili, its savory aroma filling your kitchen and warming your senses.

With its creamy texture and comforting flavors, this dish is a breeze to whip up, perfect for cozy evenings at home.

Watch as simple ingredients like chicken, white beans, and green chilies transform into a delightful, hearty meal.

Let’s bring this comforting dish to life and enjoy a bowl of warmth together.

Kitchen Tools Required

• 1 Large pot
• 1 Medium saucepan
• 1 Wooden spoon
• 1 Sharp knife
• 1 Cutting board

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
• 2 15-ounce cans white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 4-ounce can diced green chilies
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1/2 cup sour cream

Cook & Prep Time

To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking White Chicken Chili, follow this timeline:

1. Reading and Preparation (5 minutes)
   • Read through the entire recipe and gather all necessary ingredients and equipment.
   • Familiarize yourself with the steps and plan your approach.
2. Prep Work (15 minutes)
   • Dice the onion and chicken breasts, and mince the garlic.
   • Drain and rinse the white beans.
   • Chop the cilantro and juice the lime.
3. Cooking (30 minutes)
   • Minute 0-5: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
   • Minute 5-10: Add diced onion and sauté until translucent.
   • Minute 10-11: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
   • Minute 11-16: Add diced chicken and cook until browned.
   • Minute 16-18: Stir in white beans, green chilies, and chicken broth.
   • Minute 18-20: Season with cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
   • Minute 20-40: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Final Steps (5 minutes)
   • Minute 40-42: Stir in chopped cilantro and lime juice.
   • Minute 42-43: Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.
   • Minute 43-45: Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Adjust any steps as needed based on your personal pace and kitchen setup.

Recipe Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Add diced onion and sauté until translucent.

Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Add diced chicken and cook until browned.

Stir in white beans, green chilies, and chicken broth.

Season with cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

Stir in chopped cilantro and lime juice.

Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.

Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Serving Tips

• Shredded Cheese: Sprinkle some cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese on top for a gooey, melted finish.
• Avocado Slices: Add fresh avocado slices for a creamy and healthy addition.
• Tortilla Chips: Serve with crunchy tortilla chips for dipping or as a side.
• Fresh Lime Wedges: Offer lime wedges for guests to squeeze over their chili for an extra citrusy kick.
• Sour Cream: Provide a dollop of sour cream for added richness and tanginess.

Storage

To store White Chicken Chili, cool it completely before transferring it to airtight containers.

Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months for extended shelf life.

Freezing

To freeze White Chicken Chili, allow it to cool completely.

Then, transfer to airtight containers.

Label with the date.

Freeze for up to three months.

Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat White Chicken Chili, use a saucepan over medium heat.

Stir occasionally until warmed through.

Alternatively, microwave in a covered dish.

Stir halfway for even heating.

Final Thoughts

White Chicken Chili is a comforting and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion.

It combines tender chicken, hearty beans, and a blend of spices to create a satisfying meal.

This recipe isn’t only easy to make but also offers flexibility regarding spice level and additional toppings.

Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering or enjoying it as a weeknight dinner, this chili is sure to be a hit.

Don’t forget to experiment with toppings like cheese, avocado, or tortilla chips to enhance the flavor and texture.

Enjoy the warmth and comfort of this delicious American classic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make This Recipe in a Slow Cooker?

You can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Sauté onion, garlic, and chicken first, then transfer to the slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients, except sour cream, and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Stir in sour cream before serving.

What Are Some Vegetarian Substitutes for Chicken?

Consider using chickpeas, jackfruit, or tofu as vegetarian substitutes for chicken. These options mimic the texture while absorbing flavors effectively. Adjust cooking times to guarantee ideal texture and seasoning absorption for the chosen substitute.

How Can I Make This Dish Dairy-Free?

To make this dish dairy-free, replace sour cream with a dairy-free alternative like coconut yogurt. Guarantee any toppings are also dairy-free, such as using dairy-free cheese. Check all packaged ingredients for hidden dairy components.

Is There a Way to Make It Spicier?

To make it spicier, increase the diced green chilies and chili powder. Add fresh jalapeños or serrano peppers. Consider incorporating cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes for an extra kick. Adjust quantities to suit your taste.

Can I Use Canned Chicken Instead of Fresh?

You can use canned chicken instead. Drain and rinse it first. Add it after simmering the broth and spices for 15 minutes, then continue with the remaining steps. Adjust seasonings as needed for flavor balance.

White Chicken Chili

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Resting Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Main

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Equipment

• 1 Large pot
• 1 Medium saucepan
• 1 Wooden spoon
• 1 sharp knife
• 1 Cutting board

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts diced
• 2 15-ounce cans white beans drained and rinsed
• 1 4-ounce can diced green chilies
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
• 1 lime juiced
• 1/2 cup sour cream

Instructions

 

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• Add diced onion and sauté until translucent.
• Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Add diced chicken and cook until browned.
• Stir in white beans, green chilies, and chicken broth.
• Season with cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Stir in chopped cilantro and lime juice.
• Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.
• Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For an even creamier texture, consider blending a portion of the cooked beans and stirring them back into the chili. Adjust the spiciness to your preference by adding more or fewer green chilies or chili powder. Serve with toppings such as cheese, avocado, or tortilla chips for added flavor and texture.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Cynthia Weatherford

Cynthia Weatherford is a seasoned chef and culinary enthusiast who serves as the Recipe creator of Somonday. With decades of experience in the kitchen and a passion for exploring diverse cuisines, Cynthia brings a blend of creativity and technique to every dish. Known for transforming simple ingredients into show-stopping meals, Cynthia believes that cooking is an art form anyone can master. Dedicated to inspiring home cooks, Cynthia shares approachable recipes, pro tips, and culinary wisdom to make every meal memorable.