Nourishing White Chicken Chili Recipe for Cozy Comfort

Crafting a delightful white chicken chili can revolutionize your weeknight dinner routine.

Hearty beans and tender chicken create a comforting meal that warms you from the inside out.

Subtle spices dance through each spoonful, promising a flavor adventure.

Creamy textures blend perfectly with zesty green chilies, making this dish a crowd-pleaser.

Home cooks love how simple ingredients can produce such a satisfying meal.

Nutritious and quick to prepare, this chili delivers both health and happiness on a single plate.

Why Healthy White Chicken Chili Is a Nutritious Meal

• Boost Nutritional Power: Packed with lean protein from chicken and fiber-rich chickpeas, this chili delivers a healthy punch that supports muscle health and keeps you satisfied.
• Quick and Foolproof Cooking: Minimal ingredients and simple one-pot preparation make this recipe perfect for busy home cooks, requiring basic kitchen skills and limited cooking time.
• Customize Your Comfort: Flexible recipe allows easy personalization with optional toppings like avocado, tortilla strips, and extra cilantro, catering to different taste preferences and creating a restaurant-style experience at home.
• Wellness-Focused Meal: Low-sodium broth, balanced spices, and wholesome ingredients create a nutritious meal that supports heart health and provides a delicious alternative to traditional heavy chilis.

Ingredients for Healthy White Chicken Chili

• Chicken Thighs or Chicken Breasts: Tender meat that provides the primary protein source for the chili.

• Onion: Provides a sweet and savory base flavor for the chili.
• Green Chiles or Jalapenos: Adds a mild to spicy heat and depth of flavor.
• Frozen Corn: Brings a sweet and textural element to the chili.
• Cilantro: Offers a fresh, bright herb flavor to finish the dish.

• Chickpeas: Adds extra protein and a creamy texture to the chili.
• Low Sodium Chicken Broth: Creates the liquid base and enhances the overall flavor.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and adding a subtle richness.
• Ground Cumin, Chili Powder, Coriander, Dried Oregano: Provide warm, complex spice notes to the chili.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Enhances and balances the overall taste.
• Lime Juice: Adds a bright, acidic touch to the chili.

• Tortilla Strips or Chips: Provides a crunchy texture.
• Avocado Slices: Offers a creamy, rich element.
• Lime Wedge: Allows for additional fresh citrus flavor.

How to Cook Healthy White Chicken Chili

Step 1: Sizzle and Soften Onions

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Toss in chopped onions and cook until they become soft and translucent, releasing their sweet aroma.

Step 2: Spice Up the Base

• Green chiles
• Ground cumin
• Chili powder
• Coriander
• Dried oregano

Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until the spices become wonderfully fragrant and fill your kitchen with an inviting scent.

Step 3: Build the Liquid Foundation

Pour in low sodium chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, creating a flavorful base for your chili.

Step 4: Introduce Protein and Beans

• Rinsed and drained chickpeas
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix well to distribute the seasonings evenly.

Step 5: Cook the Chicken

Nestle chicken thighs (or breasts) into the pot.

Cover and let simmer for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is completely cooked through.

Step 6: Shred and Return

Remove the chicken from the pot.

Shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks, then return the shredded meat back to the simmering liquid.

Step 7: Final Flavor Boost

• Frozen corn
• Fresh lime juice
• Chopped cilantro

Let everything meld together for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 8: Serve with Flair

• Crispy tortilla strips
• Extra fresh cilantro
• Creamy avocado slices
• Zesty lime wedge

Enjoy your hearty and healthy white chicken chili!

Tips for Healthy White Chicken Chili Success

• Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for more tender and juicy meat that absorbs flavors better than chicken breasts.
• Replace chickpeas with white beans or add extra beans for increased protein content and a heartier chili consistency.
• Adjust heat by choosing mild green chiles or adding fresh jalapenos based on your preferred spiciness threshold.
• Toast cumin and other spices briefly before adding liquid to release their essential oils and intensify the overall taste profile.
• Make a double batch and freeze portions for easy weeknight meals, ensuring the chili tastes just as delicious when reheated.

Variations on Healthy White Chicken Chili

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu, tempeh, or white beans for a plant-based version packed with protein and texture.
• Spicy Southwest Edition: Add diced poblano peppers, increase chili powder, and include a dash of smoked paprika for an intense flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute chickpeas with cauliflower florets and use zucchini noodles as a base instead of traditional tortilla strips.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Incorporate feta cheese, kalamata olives, and swap oregano for za'atar seasoning to create a Mediterranean-inspired white chili experience.

Serving Suggestions for Healthy White Chicken Chili

• Zesty Lime Crunch: Top the chili with crispy tortilla strips for a satisfying texture contrast and extra flavor punch.
• Fresh Green Boost: Sprinkle fresh cilantro and creamy avocado slices to add brightness and healthy fats to the dish.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Melt some shredded monterey jack or pepper jack cheese on top for a creamy, tangy finish.
• Spice It Up: Offer hot sauce or diced fresh jalapenos on the side for those who love an extra kick of heat.

How to Store Healthy White Chicken Chili

• Store leftover white chicken chili in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the chili completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer chili to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Place desired portion in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed.

FAQs

• Is white chicken chili healthy?

Yes, this recipe is nutritious with lean protein from chicken, fiber-rich chickpeas, low sodium broth, and various spices that boost metabolism and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.

• Can I use different beans instead of chickpeas?

Absolutely! White beans, cannellini beans, or navy beans work great as alternative protein sources with similar nutritional profiles.

• How spicy is this white chicken chili?

The heat level is mild to moderate, depending on whether you use green chiles or jalapeños. You can adjust the spiciness by adding more or less chili pepper.

• What makes this chili different from traditional red chili?

Unlike red chili, white chicken chili uses chicken instead of beef, incorporates lighter-colored beans, and has a brighter flavor profile with herbs like cilantro and cumin.

Healthy White Chicken Chili Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting white chicken chili brings warmth and spice to your dinner table with its creamy blend of tender chicken, hearty beans, and zesty green chiles. Packed with protein and flavor, this Mexican-inspired dish will satisfy your craving for a nutritious and delicious meal you can enjoy any night of the week.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breast)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium white onion, chopped
• 1 can mild green chiles (or 2 seeded and diced jalapenos)
• 0.5 cup frozen corn
• 1 medium lime, juiced
• 0.33 cup fresh, chopped cilantro

Spices and Liquid Base:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 0.25 teaspoon coriander
• 0.25 teaspoon dried oregano
• 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 2 (15 ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 0.75 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper

Garnish:

• Tortilla strips or chips
• Extra cilantro
• Avocado slices
• Extra lime wedge

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over medium-high temperature, gently sautéing diced onions until they become translucent and softened.
2. Introduce green chiles, aromatic spices including cumin, chili powder, coriander, and oregano, toasting them for approximately 1-2 minutes to release their intense flavors.
3. Stream chicken broth into the pot, allowing the liquid to reach a gentle, bubbling simmer.
4. Incorporate thoroughly rinsed chickpeas, seasoning with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to enhance the overall taste profile.
5. Carefully nestle whole chicken pieces into the simmering liquid, covering the pot and allowing them to cook for 20-25 minutes until completely tender and fully cooked through.
6. Extract chicken from the broth, delicately shred the meat using two forks, then return the pulled meat back into the simmering mixture.
7. Enhance the chili by stirring in sweet frozen corn kernels, tangy lime juice, and freshly chopped cilantro leaves.
8. Allow the chili to continue simmering for an additional 5 minutes, melding all the vibrant flavors together.
9. Ladle the steaming chili into serving bowls, garnishing with crispy tortilla strips, additional cilantro sprigs, creamy avocado slices, and a zesty lime wedge for a bright, fresh finish.

Notes

• Swap chicken thighs with plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version that maintains the rich, hearty texture of the chili.
• Reduce sodium by using homemade low-sodium chicken broth or replacing half the broth with water to control salt intake without sacrificing flavor.
• Boost protein content by adding extra beans like white cannellini or navy beans, which blend seamlessly with the existing chickpeas and create a more substantial meal.
• Enhance spice levels gradually by adding jalapeños incrementally or using different chile peppers like poblano or Anaheim for complex, layered heat that suits various tolerance levels.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg