White Chicken Chili (Printable)

A hearty bowl featuring tender chicken, creamy white beans, and corn in a luscious spiced broth.

# Ingredient List:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
06 - 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
07 - 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles

→ Beans and Broth

08 - 2 cans (15 ounces each) white beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Dairy

10 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
11 - 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half

→ Spices and Seasonings

12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
15 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
16 - 1 teaspoon salt
17 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnishes

18 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
19 - Sliced green onions
20 - Shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
21 - Lime wedges

# How to Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
02 - Add diced onion and jalapeño; sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add chicken breasts, white beans, corn, green chiles, chicken broth, cumin, oregano, chili powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine thoroughly.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
06 - Remove chicken from the pot and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot.
07 - Stir in cream cheese and heavy cream; simmer for an additional 5 minutes, stirring until cream cheese is fully melted and chili reaches creamy consistency.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed for optimal flavor balance.
09 - Serve hot, topped with cilantro, green onions, shredded cheese, and lime wedges as desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This chili has a silky, luxurious texture that soothes your soul while the gentle heat warms you from within.
  • Its become my go-to for casual entertaining because it actually tastes better the next day, meaning you can make it ahead and just relax with your guests.
02 -
  • Adding the cream cheese in small cubes rather than one large block prevents it from clumping and helps it incorporate smoothly into the chili.
  • Dont skip bringing the chicken back to a gentle simmer after adding the dairy, as this crucial step ensures all flavors meld together rather than tasting like separate components.
03 -
  • Keep the chili at a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil after adding dairy to prevent any curdling or separation in the creamy broth.
  • Reserve about 1/4 cup of the beans, mash them with a fork, and stir them back in as a natural thickener if you prefer a heartier consistency without adding more cream.
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