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White Chicken Chili

A warm and comforting white chicken chili, packed with spices, tender shredded chicken, and creamy beans, perfect for chilly nights.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion (chopped, about ½ cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic (finely minced, or 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder)
  • 2.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cans (4 oz) diced green chilies Found in the international or canned goods aisle.
  • 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 0.5 teaspoon paprika
  • 0.5 small lime (juice from)
  • to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cans (15 oz) great northern beans Can substitute with white beans or cannellini beans.
  • 1 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt) Can substitute with cashew cream for a vegan option.
  • 1 cup corn (frozen or fresh)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded, rotisserie or leftover chicken)
  • as needed Fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, tortilla chips, green onions, avocado (for garnish)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot (5-6 quart) over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chopped onion. Sauté for about 3-5 minutes until the onion is softened and slightly translucent.
  2. Add garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring often to prevent burning.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth, then add the diced green chilies, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, paprika, and lime juice. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  4. Drain and rinse the great northern beans using a strainer.
  5. For a creamier texture, take a large ladleful of beans and add them to a food processor. Pour in a splash of broth from the soup and puree until smooth. This step is optional, but it adds a nice, creamy consistency to the chili.
  6. Add both the pureed beans and whole beans into the soup pot, along with the corn. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook uncovered for about 15-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until everything is heated through.
  7. After simmering, remove the pot from heat and stir in the sour cream and shredded chicken until well combined.
Serving
  1. Serve the chili hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, avocado slices, and crispy tortilla chips for an enjoyable crunch.

Notes

This chili develops its flavors beautifully when allowed to rest. It's even better the next day! Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.