This White Chicken Chili recipe is a comforting dish that brings warmth and flavor to any occasion. With its creamy texture, shredded chicken, white beans, and just the right kick of spice, it’s perfect for family dinners or cozy nights in. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or meal-prepping for the week ahead, this chili is freezer-friendly and easy to make. Get ready to impress with this delicious twist on a classic chili!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick Preparation: This chili takes just 35 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights.
- Creamy Texture: The addition of cream cheese creates a rich and velvety consistency that elevates the dish.
- Freezer Friendly: Make a big batch and store leftovers in the freezer for quick meals later on.
- Versatile Toppings: Customize each bowl with your favorite toppings like avocado, cheese, or salsa for added flavor.
- Healthy Ingredients: Packed with protein from chicken and fiber from beans, this dish is nutritious without sacrificing taste.
Tools and Preparation
To make the best White Chicken Chili recipe, you’ll need some essential kitchen tools. These will help streamline your cooking process and ensure everything turns out perfectly.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Dutch oven or soup pot
- Cutting board
- Two forks (for shredding chicken)
- Measuring cups and spoons
Importance of Each Tool
- Dutch oven or soup pot: Ideal for simmering the chili evenly and maintaining heat.
- Cutting board: Provides a safe surface to shred chicken without mess.
- Two forks: Makes shredding chicken quick and easy, ensuring even pieces in your chili.
Ingredients
This White Chicken Chili is ultra thick and creamy, with shredded chicken, white beans, corn, and just the right amount of spice! Make ahead and freezer friendly—perfect for pantry cooking.
For the Chili
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lb)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 can white kidney beans (drained and rinsed) (19oz or 591ml)
- 1 can sweet corn (drained) (12oz or 341ml)
- 1 can green chiles (4oz or 113ml)
- 1 teaspoon green hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 ounces cream cheese (room temperature) (125g)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)
- 1 tablespoon water (optional)
For Garnish
- Chips (avocado, lime wedges, salsa, cheese or jalapenos)
How to Make White Chicken Chili recipe
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
To start off your White Chicken Chili recipe, add the chicken breasts and chicken broth to a Dutch oven. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 15 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked. Use a meat thermometer to check that it reaches 165°F.
Step 2: Shred the Chicken
After cooking, remove the chicken from the pot onto a large cutting board. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken back into the pot with the broth.
Step 3: Add Other Ingredients
Next, stir in the white kidney beans, sweet corn, green chiles, hot sauce, chili powder, onion powder, and salt into the pot. Mix well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
Step 4: Incorporate Cream Cheese
Cut the cream cheese into cubes and add it to the pot. Cover again and let it simmer over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally until all cream cheese is melted into a creamy mix.
Step 5: Thicken if Desired
If you prefer an even thicker chili, mix cornstarch with water in a small bowl until smooth. Add this mixture to your simmering chili and stir well.
Step 6: Serve Your Chili
Finally, ladle your delicious chili into bowls and serve with your choice of toppings such as extra hot sauce, chips, avocado slices, lime wedges, salsa, cheese or jalapenos! Enjoy your flavorful creation!
How to Serve White Chicken Chili recipe
Serving your White Chicken Chili recipe can elevate the dining experience. With various toppings and sides, you can create a personalized bowl that caters to everyone’s taste.
Toppings
- Avocado: Sliced avocado adds creaminess and healthy fats.
- Lime Wedges: A squeeze of lime brightens up the flavors.
- Salsa: Fresh salsa offers a zesty kick and freshness.
- Cheese: Shredded cheese melts beautifully on top, adding richness.
- Jalapeños: For those who love heat, sliced jalapeños bring extra spice.
Sides
- Cornbread: Soft, buttery cornbread pairs perfectly with chili.
- Tortilla Chips: Crunchy chips are great for dipping and adding texture.
- Rice: Serve over white or brown rice for a heartier meal.
- Salad: A simple green salad can balance the richness of the chili.
How to Perfect White Chicken Chili recipe
To achieve the best White Chicken Chili, consider these helpful tips:
- Bold seasoning: Adjust spices according to your taste for a more robust flavor profile.
- Creamy texture: Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature for easier blending into the chili.
- Slow cook for depth: If time allows, let the chili simmer longer to deepen the flavors.
- Frozen chicken option: You can use frozen chicken breasts; just extend cooking time until fully cooked.
- Add vegetables: Incorporate bell peppers or zucchini for added nutrition and flavor.
Best Side Dishes for White Chicken Chili recipe
Complementing your White Chicken Chili with the right side dishes enhances the meal. Here are delicious options to consider:
- Garlic Bread: Crispy garlic bread is perfect for soaking up every drop of chili.
- Caesar Salad: A classic Caesar salad provides a crunchy contrast to the creamy chili.
- Coleslaw: Creamy coleslaw adds a refreshing crunch alongside your spicy dish.
- Baked Potatoes: Fluffy baked potatoes can be topped with chili for a filling option.
- Grilled Veggies: Grilled seasonal vegetables offer a smoky flavor that pairs well with chili.
- Quesadillas: Cheesy quesadillas make a delightful side that complements the dish’s flavors.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoiding common mistakes can make your White Chicken Chili recipe a success. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:
- Ignoring the chicken cooking time: Ensure the chicken is fully cooked before shredding. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
- Overlooking seasoning: Always taste your chili and adjust the spices as needed. This helps enhance the overall flavor.
- Using cold cream cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature, which helps it melt smoothly into the chili.
- Skipping the simmering step: Allow the chili to simmer long enough for flavors to meld. This step is crucial for a rich taste.
- Not storing leftovers properly: Store your chili in airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
Refrigerator Storage
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
- Allow the chili to cool completely before refrigerating.
Freezing White Chicken Chili recipe
- Freeze in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months.
- Leave some space in containers as liquids expand when frozen.
Reheating White Chicken Chili recipe
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Place in a covered oven-safe dish and heat for 20-30 minutes until warmed through.
- Microwave: Heat in a microwave-safe bowl, covered, stirring every minute until hot throughout.
- Stovetop: Reheat on medium-low heat in a pot, stirring often until heated thoroughly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make this White Chicken Chili recipe spicier?
You can add more green chiles or increase the amount of hot sauce according to your spice preference.
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Just ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F during cooking.
What toppings go well with White Chicken Chili?
Popular toppings include avocado, lime wedges, cheese, jalapenos, and sour cream for added flavor.
Can I substitute the white beans in this recipe?
Absolutely! You can use other types of beans like navy beans or cannellini beans if you prefer.
Final Thoughts
This White Chicken Chili recipe is not only creamy and delicious but also highly versatile. You can easily customize it with your favorite toppings or adjust the spice level to suit your taste. Whether you’re preparing it for a cozy family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this chili is sure to impress! Give it a try today!
White Chicken Chili
This White Chicken Chili recipe is a delightful and creamy dish that brings comfort to any meal. With tender shredded chicken, hearty white beans, and a touch of spice, it’s perfect for both family dinners and meal prep.
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6 people 1x
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lb)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 can white kidney beans (19oz), drained and rinsed
- 1 can sweet corn (12oz), drained
- 1 can green chiles (4oz)
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- green hot sauce
- chili powder
- onion powder
- salt
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven, simmer chicken breasts in chicken broth for about 15 minutes until fully cooked. Shred the chicken using two forks.
- Stir in white beans, corn, green chiles, hot sauce, chili powder, onion powder, and salt into the pot.
- Add cubed cream cheese and simmer for another 10 minutes until melted and combined.
- For thicker consistency, mix cornstarch with water and stir into the chili.
- Serve hot with desired toppings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Adjust spices to your taste for more heat or flavor. Add vegetables like bell peppers for extra nutrition. Use frozen chicken if necessary; just ensure it cooks thoroughly.
