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White Chicken Chili

White Chicken Chili
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This White Chicken Chili is a comforting and creamy dish packed with tender chicken, white beans, and mild spices. It’s perfect for cozy dinners any day of the week, delivering a velvety texture and rich flavor that’s both nourishing and versatile, suitable for family meals or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 lb boneless chicken breasts or thighs

Beans & Vegetables

  • 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1–2 cans (4 oz each) chopped green chilies or 1-2 jalapeños, chopped

Liquids & Dairy

  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 4 oz cream cheese or ½ cup Greek yogurt

Spices & Herbs

  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt, to taste
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Optional Add-ins

  • Extra jalapeños or cayenne pepper (for spicier chili)
  • Vegetables like mushrooms or roasted cauliflower (for vegetarian version)
  • Corn or bell peppers (for added color and sweetness)

Instructions

  1. Prep and Sauté the Aromatics: Dice onions and mince garlic. In a large pot, heat a bit of oil over medium heat and sauté the onions and garlic until soft and fragrant, forming a flavorful base for the chili.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Add the boneless chicken pieces to the pot. Season with salt, cumin, and oregano. Cook until the chicken pieces are lightly browned but not fully cooked through, locking in juices and flavor.
  3. Add Liquids and Beans: Pour in the chicken broth and chopped green chilies (or jalapeños). Add the drained white beans. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until the chicken is fully cooked and flavors meld together.
  4. Blend for Creaminess: Use an immersion blender to partially puree the chili directly in the pot, or transfer half of it to a blender. This creates a creamy texture while leaving some beans whole for a nice bite.
  5. Stir in Cream Cheese and Finish: Add cream cheese or Greek yogurt to the pot, stirring until melted and fully combined for a smooth, creamy finish. Adjust seasoning with additional salt or spice if needed.

Notes

  • Use bone-in chicken for more flavor, but remove bones before serving.
  • Do not over-blend; keep some texture by only blending half the chili.
  • Add fresh lime juice just before serving to brighten the dish.
  • Prep vegetables and shred chicken ahead of time to save cooking time.
  • Adjust spice gradually by adding chilies little by little and tasting.

Nutrition

Keywords: white chicken chili, creamy chili, easy chili recipe, healthy chicken chili, gluten free chili

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/white-chicken-chili/