Deliciously Creamy White Chicken Chili Recipe is your go-to for a comforting and flavorful meal, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend gathering. This recipe offers a quick and easy way to create a hearty and satisfying white chicken chili that will become a new family favorite.
Key Ingredients for Deliciously Creamy White Chicken Chili
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more, to taste)
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies, undrained
- 2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can great northern beans, rinsed and drained
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional Garnishes: shredded Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, chopped fresh cilantro, diced jalapeños, lime wedges
How to Make Deliciously Creamy White Chicken Chili
This recipe is incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal prep and cook time for maximum flavor. In under an hour, you’ll have a bowl of pure comfort, featuring tender chicken, creamy white beans, and a perfectly seasoned broth. The simplicity means you can whip it up even on your busiest evenings!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Brown the Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until the chicken is lightly browned on all sides. It doesn’t need to be cooked through at this stage.
- Add Spices and Chilies: Stir in the ground cumin, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds until the spices are fragrant. Then, add the undrained diced green chilies and stir to combine.
- Incorporate Beans and Broth: Add the rinsed and drained cannellini beans and great northern beans to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Simmer and Cook: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the chili simmer for at least 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. The flavors will meld together beautifully during this time.
- Make it Creamy: Stir in the heavy cream (or half-and-half). Continue to simmer gently for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili is heated through and has a wonderfully creamy consistency.
- Season and Serve: Taste the chili and adjust seasonings with additional salt and pepper as needed. Ladle the hot chili into bowls and serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
Why You’ll Love This Deliciously Creamy White Chicken Chili
You’ll absolutely fall in love with this Deliciously Creamy White Chicken Chili for its incredibly velvety texture and deeply satisfying flavors. Unlike a brothier version, the addition of cream creates a luxurious mouthfeel that’s pure comfort in every spoonful, and it’s so much more budget-friendly than ordering takeout. The mild heat from the green chilies perfectly complements the richness, making each bite a delightful experience.
Forget those bland, uninspired chili recipes; this one is a game-changer that’s surprisingly easy to whip up on a busy weeknight, proving that delicious meals don’t need to be complicated. The versatility of toppings allows everyone to customize their bowl, from sharp cheddar cheese to a dollop of cool sour cream. I encourage you to give this Deliciously Creamy White Chicken Chili a try this week – you won’t regret it!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Proper storage is key to enjoying your Deliciously Creamy White Chicken Chili for days to come.
- Refrigeration: Once cooled, transfer the chili to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors often deepen and improve overnight!
- Reheating: To reheat, gently warm the chili in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave. If the chili has thickened too much, you can add a splash of chicken broth or water to thin it out.
- Freezing: For longer storage, allow the chili to cool completely. Then, transfer it to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving a little headspace for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as described above.
Final Thoughts
This Deliciously Creamy White Chicken Chili Recipe is a warm hug in a bowl, perfect for any occasion. It’s incredibly easy to make and delivers a flavor explosion that will have you coming back for more. Give it a try and bring a taste of comfort into your home!
Deliciously Creamy White Chicken Chili Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 large yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until the chicken is lightly browned on all sides. It doesn’t need to be cooked through at this stage.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, to taste salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper
- Stir in the ground cumin, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds until the spices are fragrant. Then, add the undrained diced green chilies and stir to combine.1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
- Add the rinsed and drained cannellini beans and great northern beans to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans, 1 (15 ounce) can great northern beans, 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the chili simmer for at least 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. The flavors will meld together beautifully during this time.
- Stir in the heavy cream (or half-and-half). Continue to simmer gently for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili is heated through and has a wonderfully creamy consistency.1/2 cup heavy cream
- Taste the chili and adjust seasonings with additional salt and pepper as needed. Ladle the hot chili into bowls and serve immediately with your favorite toppings.to taste salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper