Cozy White Chicken Chili Recipe: A Soulful Winter Warmer

Crafting the perfect white chicken chili recipe requires more than just tossing ingredients into a pot.

Spices dance with tender chicken, creating a symphony of warmth and comfort.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly, promising a meal that hugs your taste buds.

Hearty beans and rich broth combine to deliver a satisfying experience that goes beyond ordinary soups.

Each spoonful tells a story of careful seasoning and culinary passion.

Layers of flavor unfold, inviting you to savor every delicious moment.

Dive into this comforting recipe and let your kitchen become a playground of delectable aromas.

Why White Chicken Chili Is Bold and Creamy

• Quickly Prepare Comfort: Dive into a hearty, creamy chili that comes together with minimal kitchen effort, perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
• Customize Your Flavor: Easily adjust the heat with Tabasco sauce and spices, making this chili adaptable to every family member's taste preferences.
• One-Pot Wonder: Streamline your cooking process with a single pot that transforms simple ingredients into a rich, satisfying meal with minimal cleanup.
• Protein-Packed Goodness: Loaded with tender chicken and nutritious beans, this chili offers a balanced and filling meal that keeps you energized throughout the day.

Ingredients for White Chicken Chili

• Chicken Breasts: Tender and lean protein that adds substance and flavor to the chili.
• Chicken Broth: Creates a rich, savory base that helps cook and enhance the chicken's flavor.

• Great Northern Beans, Corn: Provide hearty texture and additional nutrients to the chili.
• Green Chiles: Adds a mild, slightly spicy kick and depth of flavor to the dish.

• Cream Cheese, Tabasco Sauce: Brings creamy richness and a spicy tang to the chili.
• Chili Powder, Onion Powder, Salt: Deliver classic southwestern seasoning and balanced taste.

• Corn Starch, Water: Helps achieve the desired thick and creamy consistency of the chili.

How to Cook White Chicken Chili Fast and Flavorful

Step 1: Poach Chicken Breasts

Place chicken breasts in a dutch oven or soup pot with chicken broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower temperature to medium-low.

Cover and simmer for 15 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Step 2: Shred Chicken

Transfer chicken breasts onto a cutting board.

Using two forks, pull the meat apart into shredded pieces. Return shredded chicken back into the pot with remaining broth.

Step 3: Build Flavor Base

• Beans
• Corn
• Green chiles
• Tabasco sauce
• Chili powder
• Onion powder
• Salt

Stir everything together to combine and distribute flavors evenly.

Step 4: Melt Creamy Component

Cut cream cheese into small cubes.

Add cream cheese cubes to the pot. Cover and simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to help cream cheese melt and integrate smoothly.

Step 5: Adjust Consistency

In a small bowl, mix corn starch with water to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the chili and stir continuously.

Cook until the chili reaches your desired thickness.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the white chicken chili into bowls.

Optionally, garnish with fresh cilantro, sour cream, or shredded cheese.

Tips for the Best White Chicken Chili Texture

• Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts for easier shredding and leaner protein.
• Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and adjust seasoning to taste.
• Add extra green chiles for more heat or reduce Tabasco sauce for a milder version.
• Replace cream cheese with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed alternative.
• Thicken chili gradually with cornstarch to prevent lumps and achieve perfect consistency.

Tasty Twists for White Chicken Chili Lovers

• Spicy Southwest Kick: Add diced jalapeños, chipotle peppers, and extra hot sauce for a fiery version that brings bold heat to the classic recipe.
• Green Veggie Power: Incorporate diced zucchini, spinach, and bell peppers to boost nutritional value and create a more vibrant, vegetable-packed chili.
• Creamy Dairy-Free Option: Replace cream cheese with coconut milk and cashew cream for a lactose-free alternative that maintains rich, smooth texture.
• Slow Cooker Method: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, allowing flavors to develop deeply and chicken to become ultra-tender.

What to Eat with White Chicken Chili

• Pair Zesty Craft Beer: Select a hoppy IPA or wheat beer to complement the chili's creamy texture and spicy green chile notes, cutting through the richness with bright, crisp undertones.
• Serve Refreshing Citrus Salad: Create a light side of mixed greens with orange segments, lime vinaigrette, and chopped cilantro to balance the chili's warmth and provide a tangy contrast.
• Match Creamy Cornbread Companion: Bake a jalapeño cheddar cornbread with a slight kick that echoes the chili's spice level, offering a perfect textural companion to soak up the creamy broth.

How to Store White Chicken Chili Safely

• Refrigerate: Store leftover white chicken chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze: Transfer chili to freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with date and contents for easy tracking.
• Microwave Reheating: Place chili in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals. Stir between intervals to ensure even warming. Add a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture.
• Stovetop Reheating: Warm chili in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a little water or broth to prevent sticking and restore creamy consistency. Heat until thoroughly warmed and steaming.

White Chicken Chili Q&A

• Can I use different types of beans in this white chicken chili?

Yes, you can easily substitute the beans. Great alternatives include navy beans, great northern beans, or cannellini beans for similar texture and taste.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The spice level is mild to moderate. If you want more heat, add extra Tabasco sauce or include some diced jalapeños. For less spice, reduce or omit the Tabasco sauce.

• How can I make this chili healthier?

Use low-fat cream cheese, add more vegetables like diced bell peppers, or use reduced-sodium chicken broth to make the recipe more nutritious.

• Can I prepare this chili in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Follow the same ingredient list, but cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Featherlight White Chicken Chili Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty White Chicken Chili brings zesty southwestern comfort to dinner tables with its creamy blend of tender chicken, green chiles, and smooth white beans. Comfort and spice mingle perfectly, promising a satisfying meal you’ll savor to the last delicious spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lb / 907 grams)

Beans and Vegetables:

• 540 ml (19 oz) canned white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 341 ml (12 oz) canned corn, drained
• 127 ml (4.3 oz) canned green chiles

Seasonings and Thickeners:

• 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Tabasco Green Sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 4 oz (125 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon corn starch
• 1 tablespoon water

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Instructions

1. Submerge chicken breasts in chicken broth within a dutch oven, heating to a rolling boil over medium-high temperature, then reduce to medium-low heat, cover, and gently simmer for 15 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and tender.
2. Extract chicken from broth and meticulously shred using two forks, then reintroduce shredded meat back into the broth.
3. Incorporate beans, corn, green chiles, Tabasco sauce, chili powder, onion powder, and salt into the pot, thoroughly mixing ingredients to ensure even distribution.
4. Dice cream cheese into small uniform cubes and fold into the simmering mixture, covering and cooking over medium heat for 10 minutes, periodically stirring to facilitate complete cream cheese melting.
5. To enhance chili’s consistency, blend corn starch with water creating a smooth slurry, then pour into the pot and continue cooking, stirring consistently until reaching desired thickness and texture.

Notes

• Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts to ensure quick and even cooking without excess fat.
• Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and customize seasoning to taste.
• Add jalapeños or extra Tabasco for those who enjoy more heat, creating a personalized spice profile.
• Swap cream cheese with Greek yogurt or light cream cheese for a lower-calorie, healthier alternative that maintains creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg