Quick White Bean Chicken Chili Recipe: Cozy Bowl of Joy

Nestled in the heart of comfort cuisine, this white bean chicken chili recipe promises a warm embrace of flavors that dance across your palate.

Hearty ingredients mingle with zesty spices, creating a symphony of textures that beckon you closer.

Aromatic hints of cumin and paprika weave through tender chicken and creamy beans, telling a story of culinary creativity.

Weeknight dinners gain a new champion with this simple yet sophisticated dish that feels like a culinary hug.

Families and friends will gather around steaming bowls, savoring each spoonful of robust goodness.

Quick to prepare and even quicker to disappear, this chili transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Come hungry and leave satisfied, knowing you’ve discovered a recipe that speaks directly to your soul.

What Makes White Bean Chicken Chili a Comfort Classic

• Customize with Ease: Flexible ingredients allow quick swaps or additions, making it perfect for using pantry staples and accommodating different taste preferences.
• Packed with Nutrition: Loaded with lean protein from chicken, fiber-rich beans, and vegetables, this chili offers a balanced meal that supports healthy eating goals.
• Quick Weeknight Champion: From start to finish, this recipe comes together rapidly, making it ideal for busy families seeking a delicious dinner solution without complicated cooking techniques.

Ingredients for White Bean Chicken Chili

• Chicken: A protein-packed ingredient that adds hearty flavor to the chili.
• White Beans: Creamy legumes that provide texture and additional protein to the dish.
• Tomatillos: Green Mexican fruits that offer a tangy and slightly acidic taste to the chili.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base ingredients that build a deep and flavorful foundation for the chili.
• Green Chiles, Corn Kernels: Vegetables that add sweetness and mild heat to the recipe.
• Diced Tomatoes: Juicy ingredient that contributes moisture and a rich tomato flavor.

• Chicken Broth, Oregano, Coriander, Cumin: Flavor-enhancing ingredients that create a complex and warm spice profile for the chili.
• Vegetable Oil: Cooking fat used to sauté the initial vegetables and prevent sticking.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Basic seasoning ingredients that balance and intensify the overall taste of the dish.

How to Make White Bean Chicken Chili

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Vessel

Grab a large pot and drizzle vegetable oil across the bottom.

Turn the heat to medium and let the oil shimmer.

Toss in chopped onions and minced garlic, stirring them around until they become soft and fragrant.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Foundation

• Chicken broth
• Tomatillos
• Diced tomatoes
• Green chiles
• Dried oregano
• Ground coriander
• Ground cumin

Crank up the heat and bring the liquid to a rolling boil, allowing all the spices to mingle and dance together.

Step 3: Simmer and Develop Depth

Lower the heat and let the mixture gently bubble for 10 minutes.

This allows the flavors to blend and intensify, creating a rich, complex base for your chili.

Step 4: Add Protein and Vegetables

• Diced chicken
• White beans
• Corn kernels

Stir everything together and let it cook until the chicken is thoroughly heated and the beans are tender, about 10 minutes.

Step 5: Final Seasoning and Serving

Sprinkle in salt and black pepper to your preferred taste.

Give the chili a final stir and ladle into warm bowls.

Serve immediately while steaming hot.

Pro Tips for White Bean Chicken Chili

• Roast tomatillos and green chiles before adding to the chili for a deeper, smokier taste profile.
• Replace chicken with turkey or shredded rotisserie chicken for a quick alternative protein option.
• Mash a portion of white beans to create a thicker, creamier chili consistency without adding extra cream.
• Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños for those who love extra heat and want a spicier version.
• This chili tastes even better the next day, so prepare in advance and let flavors meld overnight in the refrigerator.

Variations on White Bean Chicken Chili

• Vegetarian Bean Chili: Replace chicken with plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a hearty meat-free version.
• Spicy Green Chile Variant: Increase green chiles and add jalapeños for extra heat, include diced poblano peppers for deeper pepper flavor.
• Low-Sodium Alternative: Use low-sodium chicken broth, reduce salt, replace canned tomatoes with fresh tomatoes, and season with herbs instead of salt.
• Instant Pot Express: Convert recipe to pressure cooker method, reducing cooking time to 15 minutes total while maintaining rich, complex flavors and tender ingredients.

Serving Ideas for White Bean Chicken Chili

• Fresh Toppings Galore: Sprinkle shredded monterey jack cheese, dollop sour cream, and scatter chopped fresh cilantro on top for a burst of color and flavor.
• Bread Companion Delight: Serve alongside warm cornbread, crispy tortilla chips, or crusty sourdough to soak up the delicious chili broth.
• Zesty Side Kick: Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a few slices of avocado to brighten the dish and provide creamy texture contrast.
• Heat Level Customization: Set out hot sauce or diced jalapeños on the side, allowing each person to adjust the spice level to their personal preference.

Storing White Bean Chicken Chili Properly

• Store leftover chili in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled chili to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Properly stored, it will maintain quality for 2-3 months. Leave a small space at the top for expansion.
• Place chili in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes. Stir halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Pour chili into a pot, add a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying, and warm over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until heated thoroughly, about 5-7 minutes.

FAQs

• What makes white bean chicken chili different from traditional chili?

This chili uses white beans instead of red kidney beans and features a lighter, brighter flavor profile with tomatillos and green chiles, creating a more Mexican-inspired soup-like dish compared to classic red chili.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild to moderate heat level from green chiles, but you can adjust the spiciness by choosing mild or hot green chiles and adding additional cayenne or jalapeños if desired.

• Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is an excellent time-saving option and can be easily shredded and added to the chili, providing quick and flavorful protein without extra cooking time.

White Bean Chicken Chili Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

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

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Description

Hearty White Bean Chicken Chili brings Southwestern comfort to dinner tables with its robust blend of tender chicken, creamy beans, and zesty spices. Warm, satisfying flavors invite you to savor each spoonful of this soul-soothing Mexican-inspired classic.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Meat:

• 1 pound diced, cooked chicken meat

Beans and Vegetables:

• 1 (15 ounce) can white beans
• 2 ears fresh corn, kernels cut from cob
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (7 ounce) can diced green chiles

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoons (15 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 1 (14.5 ounce/430 milliliters) can chicken broth
• 1 (18.75 ounce/530 grams) can tomatillos, drained and chopped
• 1 (16 ounce/450 grams) can diced tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander seed
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious Dutch oven over medium-high heat, sautéing diced onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, approximately 4-5 minutes.
2. Pour in chicken broth, incorporating tomatillos, diced tomatoes, green chiles, and aromatic spices including oregano, coriander, and cumin, bringing the mixture to a robust simmer.
3. Reduce heat and allow the liquid to gently bubble, developing deep flavor profiles for 8-10 minutes.
4. Carefully fold in tender, pre-cooked chicken pieces, creamy white beans, and sweet corn kernels, ensuring even distribution throughout the simmering liquid.
5. Let the ingredients meld together, heating thoroughly for an additional 7-9 minutes, allowing the chili to thicken and develop a rich, harmonious consistency.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, calibrating the flavor balance to your preference.
7. Ladle the steaming chili into warm bowls, serving immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and texture.

Notes

• Customize heat levels by adjusting green chiles or adding jalapeños for spice enthusiasts.
• Swap chicken with turkey or plant-based protein for alternative dietary preferences.
• Use dried beans instead of canned for reduced sodium and more authentic texture, just soak overnight and cook separately before adding.
• Enhance flavor depth by roasting tomatillos and chiles before incorporating into the chili for a smoky, complex taste profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 195 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 370 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg