White Chicken Chili (Printable Version)

Creamy, hearty white chili with tender chicken, white beans, and corn in a spiced broth.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
06 - 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
07 - 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles

→ Beans and Broth

08 - 2 cans (15 ounces each) white beans, cannellini or Great Northern, drained and rinsed
09 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Dairy

10 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
11 - 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half

→ Spices and Seasonings

12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
15 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
16 - 1 teaspoon salt
17 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnishes

18 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
19 - Sliced green onions
20 - Shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
21 - Lime wedges

# Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
02 - Add diced onion and jalapeño; sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add chicken breasts, white beans, corn, green chiles, chicken broth, cumin, oregano, chili powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine thoroughly.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
06 - Remove chicken and shred it with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot.
07 - Stir in cream cheese and heavy cream; simmer for 5 additional minutes, stirring until cream cheese is fully melted and chili reaches creamy consistency.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
09 - Serve hot, topped with fresh cilantro, green onions, shredded cheese, and lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's secretly even better the next day when the flavors have melded together overnight
  • The creamy broth feels indulgent but comes together quickly enough for weeknight dinners
  • You can adjust the heat level easily by dialing the jalapeño up or down
02 -
  • The cream cheese will seize up and look curdled if you add it straight from the refrigerator
  • Letting the chili rest for ten minutes off the heat lets the broth thicken up nicely
  • Rotisserie chicken shreds more easily but raw chicken absorbs more flavor during cooking
03 -
  • Use chicken thighs instead of breasts if you want meat that stays incredibly tender after shredding
  • Warm your cream slightly before adding it to prevent any potential separation issues
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