White Chicken Chili is a comforting, flavorful dish perfect for cozy evenings. This guide will walk you through how to make white chicken chili from scratch, offering variations to suit different tastes and dietary needs.
What Is White Chicken Chili?
White chicken chili is a hearty soup made with white beans, tender chicken, and a blend of spices, all simmered in a creamy broth. Unlike traditional red chili, this version uses green chiles and often includes ingredients like corn and cream cheese for added richness.
How to Make White Chicken Chili from Scratch
Learning how to make white chicken chili is straightforward. To make a basic white chicken chili recipe, you’ll need:
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 chopped onion
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles
- 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, drained
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 4 oz cream cheese
- Optional: lime, cilantro, avocado, shredded cheese
You can adjust these for variations like spicy white chicken chili, Southwest white chicken chili, or white chicken chili with salsa verde.
Making Process in Simple Steps
Now you will learn its process in simple and easy steps.
Step 1: Sauté Aromatics
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven or pot. Add chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. This base gives your white chili recipe a deep, rich flavor.
Step 2: Add Chicken and Spices
Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and shredded chicken. Add green chiles for that kick of flavor. This step is key if you’re learning how to make white chicken chili taste amazing.
Step 3: Add Beans, Corn, and Broth
Pour in white beans and corn. Add chicken broth and stir everything well. After bringing it to a boil, lower the heat and simmer it for 20 to 25 minutes. Now you’ve got the perfect base for easy white chicken chili.
Step 4: Make It Creamy
Stir in cream cheese until fully melted and combined. Want it extra creamy? Add sour cream or heavy cream. This results in a creamy, comforting white chicken chili that is difficult to top.
Step 5: Taste and Adjust
Taste the chili. Add more salt or seasoning if needed. If it’s too spicy, add more cream cheese.
If it’s not spicy enough, toss in a pinch of cayenne. This is how to make white chicken chili less spicy or extra bold.
Step 6: Add Toppings and Serve
Serve hot in bowls. Add shredded cheese, lime juice, avocado slices, or fresh cilantro on top. For added comfort, serve with tortilla chips or rice on the side. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, game day, or even meal prep, white chicken chili.
Recipe Variations to Try
You can try this delicious recipe for creamy white chicken chili in different variations.
1. Creamy White Chicken Chili
To achieve a creamy texture, incorporate cream cheese or sour cream into the chili. This addition enhances the richness and provides a smooth consistency. For an extra creamy version, blend a portion of the beans before adding them to the pot.
2. Spicy White Chicken Chili
Add some diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper for people who like heat. Use mild green chiles to cut down on the heat and steer clear of excessively hot spices. By adjusting the heat, the chili can accommodate different levels of spice.
3. White Chicken Chili with Beans and Corn
Incorporating white beans and corn adds texture and sweetness to the chili. Common bean choices include cannellini or Great Northern beans. Corn kernels, whether fresh or frozen, complement the dish’s flavors and provide a pleasant crunch.
4. White Chicken Chili with Avocado and Cilantro Lime
Enhance your chili by topping it with sliced avocado and a squeeze of lime juice. Fresh cilantro adds a burst of flavor, creating a vibrant and refreshing contrast to the creamy base.
5. White Chicken Chili with Salsa Verde
For a tangy twist, incorporate salsa verde into your chili. This green sauce, made from tomatillos and green chiles, infuses the dish with a zesty flavor profile. One of the more well-liked varieties is called verde white chicken chili.
Cooking Methods of White Chicken Chili
You can cook it in different ways, like
1. Crockpot
Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
2. Instant Pot
It’s an option to make it in the Instant Pot. Sauté the garlic and onions first, then add the rest of the ingredients. After 15 minutes of cooking on high pressure, let it naturally release.
3. Stovetop
Sauté onions and garlic, add other ingredients, and simmer for 30-40 minutes until flavors meld.
How to Make White Chicken Chili Seasoning
A balanced seasoning mix includes cumin, oregano, chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder. You can change the amounts to fit your own tastes. This blend provides the foundational flavor for the chili.
Serving Suggestions and Meal Planning
White chicken chili is versatile for various occasions:
- Game Day: Serve with tortilla chips and toppings like shredded cheese and sour cream.
- Holiday Parties: Offer as a hearty appetizer or main course.
- Meal Prep: Prepare in bulk and store in portions for easy weekday meals.
Keto White Chicken Chili
For those following a ketogenic diet, create a low-carb white chicken chili by:
- Reducing beans to 1/2 cup
- Omitting corn
- Adding more chicken
- Increasing healthy fats with extra cream cheese and avocado
This keto white chicken chili variation contains approximately 9g net carbs per serving.
Paleo White Chicken Chili
For a paleo white chicken chili:
- Replace beans with diced sweet potatoes
- Use coconut cream instead of dairy
- Ensure your broth is paleo-compliant
Whole30 Compliant White Chicken Chili
These healthy chicken dinner options ensure everyone can enjoy this delicious comfort food regardless of dietary restrictions. Modify the recipe to create a Whole30-compliant white chicken chili by:
- Using compliant chicken broth
- Replacing dairy with coconut cream
- Omitting beans and corn
- Adding more vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers.
Serving Suggestions
A popular dish to serve on game day is white chicken chili. Serve it with:
- Cornbread muffins
- Fresh green salad
- Warm tortillas
- Mexican rice
For holiday party white chicken chili, set up a topping bar so guests can customize their bowls.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
White chicken chili makes excellent leftovers. For up to four days, keep it refrigerated in an airtight container. For meal prep white chicken chili:
- Prepare a large batch on Sunday
- Portion into individual containers
- Freeze for up to 3 months
- Thaw overnight before reheating
The flavors actually improve after a day in the refrigerator, making this an ideal make-ahead dish
Conclusion
By following these guidelines, you can master how to make white chicken chili tailored to your preferences and dietary needs. Enjoy experimenting with different variations and serving options to keep this dish exciting and satisfying.
FAQs
What are the ingredients for white chicken chili?
White chicken chili uses shredded chicken, white beans, green chiles, broth, and spices like cumin and garlic.
What are the ingredients in chicken chili?
Chicken chili includes chicken, beans, tomatoes or chiles, onions, garlic, and hearty seasonings.
How do you thicken white chicken chili?
Mash some beans or stir in cream cheese to make it rich and thick.
Can you can white chicken chili?
White chicken chili is safe to pressure-can for long-term pantry storage.
What is the difference between chili and white chili?
White chili skips the tomatoes and red beans, using white beans, chicken, and lighter spices instead.
How to make chili creamy?
Just stir in cream cheese, sour cream, or a splash of heavy cream for smooth richness.
