This White Chicken Chili recipe is the ultimate comfort food that combines creamy texture with tender shredded chicken, hearty white beans, and sweet corn. Perfect for cozy nights or gatherings with friends, this dish is easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time. Its rich flavor and mild spice make it a favorite for all occasions.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick Prep: With just 5 minutes of prep time, you can have a delicious meal on the table in no time.
- Creamy Comfort: The addition of cream cheese creates a thick and creamy chili that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.
- Freezer Friendly: Make a large batch and freeze leftovers for those busy days when you need a quick meal.
- Versatile Toppings: Customize your chili with various toppings like avocado, lime wedges, or jalapenos for added flavor and texture.
- Healthy Ingredients: Packed with protein from chicken and fiber from beans, this dish is not only tasty but also nutritious.
Tools and Preparation
To make this White Chicken Chili recipe, having the right tools will streamline your cooking process. Here’s what you need:
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Dutch oven or soup pot
- Cutting board
- Two forks (for shredding chicken)
- Measuring cups and spoons
Importance of Each Tool
- Dutch oven or soup pot: Provides even heating and allows for simmering the chili perfectly.
- Cutting board: A stable surface makes shredding the chicken easier while keeping your counters clean.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accuracy in ingredient amounts for consistent results every time.
Ingredients
This White Chicken Chili is ultra thick and creamy, with shredded chicken, white beans, corn, and just the right amount of spice! Make ahead and freezer friendly, perfect for pantry cooking.
Ingredients:
– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lb)
– 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
– 1 can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed (19oz or 591ml)
– 1 can sweet corn, drained (12oz or 341ml)
– 1 can green chiles (4oz or 113ml)
– 1 teaspoon green hot sauce
– 1 teaspoon chili powder
– ½ teaspoon onion powder
– ½ teaspoon salt
– 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (125g)
– 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)
– 1 tablespoon water (optional)
– Chips (avocado, lime wedges, salsa, cheese, or jalapenos, for serving)
How to Make White Chicken Chili recipe
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
To a 3- to 4-quart Dutch oven or soup pot, add the chicken and broth. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. A meat thermometer should read 165°F when inserted into the chicken.
Step 2: Shred the Chicken
Remove the chicken from the pot onto a large cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Place the shredded chicken back into the pot with the broth.
Step 3: Add Remaining Ingredients
Add the beans, corn, green chiles, hot sauce, chili powder, onion powder, and salt to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
Step 4: Incorporate Cream Cheese
Cut the cream cheese into cubes. Stir it into the pot until well combined. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to help melt the cream cheese completely.
Step 5: Thicken If Desired
If you prefer a thicker chili, mix cornstarch with water in a small bowl until smooth. Stir this mixture into the simmering chili to thicken it further.
Step 6: Serve Your Chili
Serve your White Chicken Chili hot with additional toppings such as hot sauce, chips, avocado slices, lime wedges, salsa, cheese, or jalapenos—whatever your favorite toppings are! Enjoy!
How to Serve White Chicken Chili recipe
Serving your White Chicken Chili recipe is a great opportunity to get creative. This dish pairs wonderfully with various toppings and sides that can enhance its flavors and textures.
Toppings
- Hot Sauce: Add a splash for an extra kick of spice.
- Avocado: Creamy avocado slices provide a fresh contrast.
- Lime Wedges: A squeeze of lime brightens the dish and adds acidity.
- Salsa: Fresh salsa adds flavor and texture.
- Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheese on top for a rich creaminess.
- Jalapenos: For those who love heat, sliced jalapenos are perfect.
Accompaniments
- Tortilla Chips: Crunchy chips make a great side for dipping or sprinkling on top.
- Cornbread: Sweet cornbread complements the chili’s savory flavors perfectly.
- Rice: Serve over white or brown rice for added heartiness.
How to Perfect White Chicken Chili recipe
To ensure your White Chicken Chili recipe comes out perfect every time, keep these tips in mind.
- Adjust Spice Level: Feel free to modify the amount of chili powder or hot sauce based on your taste preference.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh herbs and vegetables can elevate the flavor profile significantly.
- Thicken Wisely: If you prefer a thicker chili, add cornstarch mixed with water gradually until you reach your desired consistency.
- Simmer Longer: Allowing the chili to simmer longer lets the flavors meld beautifully; just be careful not to overcook the chicken.
Best Side Dishes for White Chicken Chili recipe
Pairing your White Chicken Chili recipe with the right sides can make your meal even more satisfying. Here are some excellent choices.
- Cornbread: This sweet, fluffy bread is ideal for soaking up chili.
- Tortilla Chips: Crispy chips add crunch and are perfect for dipping.
- Guacamole: Creamy guacamole enhances flavors and adds richness.
- Coleslaw: A refreshing slaw provides a nice contrast with its crunchiness.
- Grilled Vegetables: Charred veggies bring out smoky flavors that complement the chili well.
- Rice Pilaf: Fluffy rice pilaf offers a mild base that balances out spicy notes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When preparing your White Chicken Chili recipe, it’s easy to make some common errors. Here are some mistakes to watch out for:
- Not seasoning enough: Failing to season your chili can lead to bland flavors. Make sure to use the right amount of spices and taste as you go.
- Overcooking the chicken: Cooking the chicken for too long can make it dry. Use a meat thermometer and remove the chicken once it reaches 165°F.
- Skipping the beans: Forgetting to add beans can reduce protein and texture. Ensure you include them for a hearty chili.
- Using cold cream cheese: Adding cold cream cheese can result in clumps. Always use room temperature cream cheese for a smooth consistency.
- Not letting it simmer: Rushing the cooking process won’t let the flavors meld. Allow your chili to simmer for at least 10 minutes after adding all ingredients.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Can be kept for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing White Chicken Chili recipe
- Use a freezer-safe container or bag.
- Can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating White Chicken Chili recipe
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F, place in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat for about 20-30 minutes.
- Microwave: Heat in a microwave-safe bowl in 1-minute increments, stirring in between until hot.
- Stovetop: Place in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about making this White Chicken Chili recipe.
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Just increase cooking time by about 5-10 minutes.
How can I make this White Chicken Chili recipe spicier?
Add more green hot sauce or diced jalapeños to increase the heat level.
Is this White Chicken Chili recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you confirm that the broth and other ingredients are gluten-free.
Can I substitute the cream cheese?
Absolutely! You can use Greek yogurt or a dairy-free alternative if desired.
Final Thoughts
This White Chicken Chili recipe is not only creamy and delicious but also versatile. You can easily customize it with different toppings or spices based on your preferences. We encourage you to give it a try and make it your own!
White Chicken Chili
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6
Description
Enjoy the comforting warmth of this White Chicken Chili recipe, perfect for cozy nights or gatherings with friends. This dish combines tender shredded chicken, hearty white beans, and sweet corn in a creamy broth that’s both satisfying and nutritious. With just 5 minutes of prep time, you can have a delicious meal ready to serve or freeze for busy days. Customize your chili with a variety of toppings like avocado, lime wedges, or jalapenos to enhance its flavor. It’s a versatile dish that everyone will love!
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lb)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 can white kidney beans (19oz)
- 1 can sweet corn (12oz)
- 1 can green chiles (4oz)
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon green hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)
- 1 tablespoon water (optional)
- Chips, avocado, lime wedges, salsa, cheese, or jalapenos for serving
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven, add chicken and chicken broth; bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Once simmering, reduce heat to medium-low and cover for about 15 minutes.
- Remove chicken and shred using two forks; return shredded chicken to the pot.
- Stir in beans, corn, green chiles, hot sauce, chili powder, onion powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Add cream cheese cubes; stir until melted and combined. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
- For thicker chili, mix cornstarch with water and stir into the pot until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve hot with your choice of toppings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
