Dreamy, Soul-Warming Creamy White Chicken Chili Recipe

Comfort meets culinary magic in this delightful white chicken chili recipe that promises warmth and satisfaction in every spoonful.

Hearty beans, tender chicken, and a rich, creamy base blend seamlessly to create a soul-soothing meal.

Packed with robust spices and wholesome ingredients, this chili delivers a flavor explosion that will have everyone asking for seconds.

The recipe combines traditional Mexican-inspired elements with a creamy twist that sets it apart from classic chili preparations.

Perfectly balanced and wonderfully comforting, this dish works magic for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Grab your favorite pot and get ready to dive into a chili experience that will become a staple in your recipe collection.

Serving Creamy White Chicken Chili Hot

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped cilantro or parsley on top for a burst of color and extra freshness.
• Create a Crunchy Topping: Crush tortilla chips and sprinkle them over the chili for added texture and a satisfying crunch.
• Customize with Cheese Varieties: Experiment with different shredded cheeses like pepper jack, cheddar, or a Mexican blend to enhance the flavor profile.
• Add Heat and Zest: Serve with fresh lime wedges and sliced jalapenos for those who love an extra kick of spice and tanginess.

Storings from White Chicken Chili

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover chili in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer cooled chili to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen chili maintains top quality for up to 4 months.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw refrigerated chili in the microwave or stovetop, stirring occasionally to maintain creamy consistency. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent separation of dairy ingredients.
• Batch Cooking Strategy: Double the recipe and portion meals into individual servings for quick weeknight dinners or lunch meal prep. Label containers with date and contents to track freshness and enjoy convenient, homemade meals anytime.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 7

What Goes Into Creamy White Chicken Chili

• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth, rich foundation for sautéing and enhancing flavor depth.
• Onion: Adds sweet, caramelized undertones and creates a robust aromatic base.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers concentrated, zesty seasoning without raw garlic's sharpness.

• Shredded Chicken: Brings tender, lean protein that absorbs surrounding spices and creates hearty texture.
• Great Northern Beans: Offers creamy, soft protein with mild flavor that complements the chili's warmth.

• Chicken Broth: Creates a silky, flavorful liquid foundation for the chili.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy richness and smooth, velvety consistency.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Provides luxurious, decadent creaminess and subtle sweetness.

• Green Chiles: Introduces mild, bright pepper flavor with subtle heat.
• Salt: Enhances and balances overall taste profile.
• Oregano: Contributes earthy, slightly peppery herbal notes.
• Cumin: Delivers warm, smoky undertones characteristic of chili.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle, sharp spiciness.
• Cayenne Pepper: Provides gentle, building heat and depth.

• Shredded Cheese: Melts beautifully, adding extra creaminess.
• Tortilla Chips: Offers crunchy textural contrast.
• Green Onions: Provides fresh, sharp bite.

Kitchen Tools for Creamy White Chili

• Large saucepan: Perfect for combining and cooking all ingredients smoothly.
• Wooden spoon: Helps stir ingredients without scratching the pan's surface.
• Cutting board: Essential for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Needed for precise chopping and preparation.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Ladle or serving spoon: Great for dishing out the creamy chili.

Making Creamy White Chicken Chili Smoothly

• Aromatic Foundation

Start by warming olive oil in a spacious pot, creating a delicious base with softened onions and a whisper of garlic that fills your kitchen with inviting scents.

• Hearty Protein Blend

Introduce tender shredded chicken and creamy white beans into the simmering mixture, then pour in rich chicken broth and zesty green chiles. Sprinkle in a symphony of spices that will make your taste buds dance.

• Slow Transformation

Let the chili gently bubble and meld flavors, allowing each ingredient to tell its delicious story. The low heat will transform simple ingredients into a comforting culinary experience.

• Luxurious Finish

Pull the pot from the heat and swirl in velvety sour cream and heavy cream, creating a silky smooth texture that turns this chili into a creamy dream.

• Personal Touch

Serve piping hot and invite everyone to customize their bowl with favorite toppings like crispy cheese, crunchy tortilla chips, bright green onions, or spicy jalapeño slices.

Tips to Add Zest to White Chili

• Create a personalized flavor profile by experimenting with different protein options like turkey or shredded pork for a unique twist.
• Adjust the heat level by reducing or increasing cayenne pepper and green chiles to match your preferred spice tolerance, ensuring a perfect balance for every palate.
• Prepare a larger batch and freeze portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months, making weeknight dinners a breeze with minimal effort.
• For a thicker chili, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir into the simmering pot, or let it reduce longer to achieve your desired texture.
• Replace heavy whipping cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half to cut calories while maintaining a rich, creamy consistency without sacrificing flavor.

Velvety White Chicken Chili Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty white chicken chili from Mexico delivers comfort in a bowl with rich, layered flavors. Generous protein and spices blend seamlessly, creating a satisfying meal you’ll crave on cool evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) rotisserie chicken, shredded
• 2 cans (15 oz / 425 g) great northern beans, drained and rinsed
• 14 ½ oz (407 g) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy whipping cream
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cans (4 oz / 113 g) diced green chiles
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• Shredded cheese (optional)
• Tortilla chips (optional)
• Green onions (optional)
• Lime wedges (optional)
• Sliced jalapenos (optional)

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Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: Warm olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat, gently cooking onions and garlic until softened and fragrant, releasing their subtle essence and creating a robust flavor foundation.
2. Build Flavor Base: Introduce shredded chicken, white beans, chicken broth, green chiles, and signature spices – salt, oregano, cumin, black pepper, and cayenne – combining ingredients to create a harmonious and complex taste profile.
3. Simmer and Develop: Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat and allow the chili to gently simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, encouraging the spices to meld and intensify the overall depth of flavor.
4. Cream and Finish: Remove from heat and gracefully incorporate sour cream and heavy whipping cream, stirring until the chili transforms into a luxuriously smooth and creamy texture that coats the palate.
5. Serve and Garnish: Ladle the steaming chili into bowls, offering an array of optional toppings like cheddar cheese, tortilla chips, green onions, lime wedges, and jalapeños to personalize each serving with additional layers of taste and texture.

Notes

• Optimize Chicken Tenderness: Shred chicken while warm for more delicate, easier-to-blend texture that melts into the chili.
• Balance Spice Levels: Adjust cayenne and green chiles based on personal heat preference; start conservatively and add incrementally.
• Cream Integration Technique: Temper dairy by slowly adding small amounts of hot chili to cream before final mixture to prevent curdling.
• Flavor Depth Tip: Let chili simmer uncovered to concentrate flavors and allow natural reduction, creating richer, more robust taste profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg