This white bean chicken chili is a warm, hearty bowl of deliciousness that is also a healthier alternative to traditional red meat chili. Follow along and learn how to make this fall food that can be eaten any time of year!
White Chicken Chili Recipe Ingredients
Some key ingredients to this white chicken chili recipe include the following:
- Chicken (white meat): precooked chicken breast is required for this recipe. Using leftover rotisserie chicken or even smoked chicken is ideal.
- White beans: going along with the theme of a white bean chili, beans such navy beans or cannellini are recommended
- Diced green chiles: for some robust flavor and a touch of mild heat
- Garlic: adds more umami flavor
- White onion: cooked to translucent to add some depth of flavor
- Chicken broth: adds more chicken flavor and provides the liquid for this recipe
- Spices: salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, oregano, and add some red pepper flakes for more intensity
- Cream cheese (optional): to thicken the consistency of the chili
White Chicken Chili Recipe Video
Cooking the Onion and Garlic
To start, cook one diced white onion in olive oil in a 6 quart Dutch oven or medium-sized stock pot. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until the onion turns translucent. This helps with the flavor and the texture of the onion in the chili.
Add two cloves of minced garlic to the pot and cook for a minute. The reason you only cook minced garlic for a minute is due to the fact that garlic can lose it’s flavor if overcooked.
Add the Remaining Ingredients
Next, add four cups of chicken broth and four cups of cooked, shredded chicken. Add two, four ounce cans of diced green chiles to add some texture and mild heat.
Regarding seasonings, put in two teaspoons of salt, and one teaspoon of pepper, ground cumin, chili powder, and dried oregano. Before adding the two cans of white beans (navy, cannellini), make sure to drain and rinse. Pouring into a colander for draining and rinsing is ideal for this step.
Why Drain and Rinse the Beans?
There are a few reasons for draining and rinsing beans. One is to reduce the amount of sodium, most of it added when canned. Another reason is to eliminate the excess liquid in your recipe. And finally, draining and rinsing the beans keeps them from dominating the flavor of the recipe. You want the beans to compliment the other flavors, not dominate.
Bring to a Boil, then Simmer
Now that all of the white bean chicken chili ingredients have been added, stir ingredients and bring to a boil. This may take a few minutes to happen due to the high concentration of room temperature ingredients.
Once ingredients have boiled for a minute, reduce the temperature to medium-low heat for a simmer. You should see smaller, consistent bubbling at this point. Simmer for 40 minutes uncovered so some of the broth can reduce. After the simmering is done, let cool for a few minutes before serving.
How to Thicken White Chicken Chili
Want to make the consistency of your white bean chicken chili a little thicker? This can be done one of two ways: by either adding a half brick of cream cheese (4 oz) or taking one of the cans of beans and smashing into a puree. Doing the latter will mean less beans to bite into in the chili.
How to Make the White Bean Chicken Chili Spicier
Looking to spice things up in your chili? Add red pepper flakes to the Dutch oven or stock pot when adding the other spices. You can also add a half teaspoon of cayenne pepper. And finally, topping your individual bowl of chili with pepper jack cheese will help with the spice and give you a thicker consistency.
How Long Can You Store the White Bean Chicken Chili?
When stored in an airtight container and put into the refrigerator, white bean chicken chili is good for up to four days.
Is this White Chicken Chili Recipe Healthy for You?
As far as chili goes, this is one of the healthier ones out there. This is because chicken, especially white meat, has less fat (including less saturated fat) than beef. Chicken also has less cholesterol than red meat. This recipe is also dairy free, which is ideal for those who are lactose intolerant.
Related Recipes to Try
Here are some other flavorful recipes to try:
White Bean Chicken Chili
White bean chicken chili serves up a warm, hearty bowl of deliciousness that is perfect for the fall and winter! It's also a healthier alternative to traditional red meat chili.
Ingredients
- 4 Cups of shredded chicken breast
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4-15 oz cans chicken broth
- 2-15 oz cans white beans, drained and rinsed
- 2-4 oz cans diced green chiles
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Simmer diced onion in olive oil over medium heat until translucent in a Dutch oven or medium-sized stock pot. This should take 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Pour in four cups of chicken broth, then add chicken, white beans, diced green chiles, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, and dried oregano. Mix ingredients.
- Bring ingredients to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 40 minutes uncovered.
- Serve in a bowl and enjoy!
Notes
- Make the white bean chicken chili creamier by adding a half brick of cream cheese.
- What it spicier? Add red pepper flakes with the rest of the spices. Serve with shredded pepper jack cheese.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 12 cupsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 165Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1.5gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 740mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 4gSugar: 3gProtein: 16g
NOTE: Nutrition information isn't always accurate.
