White Chicken Chili

This easy White Chicken Chili recipe is hearty, flavorful, and filling, perfect for warming up the whole family on busy weeknights.

Easy White Chicken Chili Recipe

There’s just something about a pot of chili simmering on the stove that feels like pure comfort food, especially when it’s one the whole family loves. This Southern White Chicken Chili is rich, hearty, and full of flavor, and once it’s topped with cheese, sour cream, green onions, and crunchy tortilla strips, it becomes a satisfying one-pot meal. I like to make it in my trusty Dutch oven, but any heavy-bottomed pot with plenty of room will work just fine.

While this white chicken chili is milder than traditional red chili, it still brings plenty of bold flavor. The combination of poblano and jalapeño peppers adds depth with just the right touch of heat. Depending on the peppers you use, it can have a gentle kick without overpowering that creamy, comforting chili goodness. Enjoy for filling family dinners and game day.

Checkout this quick list of key ingredients you’ll need to make White Bean Chicken Chili: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Chicken – Boneless skinless chicken breasts cook quickly and shred easily.
• Onion and Garlic – Sweet onion and minced garlic complement the taste.
• Peppers – A combination of poblano pepper and jalapeno pepper for spice plus canned green chilles.
• Oil – Vegetable oil or olive oil to saute the chicken and veggies.
• Spices – Garlic salt, lemon pepper, cumin, Mexican oregano.
• Canned Beans – Canned navy beans cook are fully cooked and tender.
• Cream Cheese – Chive and onion cream cheese thickens the chili adds a creaminess to the texture.
• Liquid – Chicken stock or chicken broth for moisture.
• Serving – Shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, sour cream, sliced jalapenos, lime wedges and tortilla strips or chips.

How to Make the Best White Chicken Chili Recipe

• Brown Chicken – Brown the chicken in oil over medium-high heat just until it begins to brown. (It doesn’t have to be cooked through.) Remove to a platter.
• Sauté Vegetables – To the pot add onion, poblano, jalapeno and garlic cooking until softened and beginning to brown. Scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pot.
• Mix-Ins – To the pot add broth, beans, green chiles, cumin, garlic salt, lemon pepper, oregano and red pepper flakes. Stir well.
• Combine – Return chicken to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered, for 30 minutes.
• Shred Chicken – Use 2 forks to pull chicken apart. Add cream cheese and chopped cilantro to the pot.
• Simmer – Simmer just until cream cheese is completely melted.
• Serve with lime wedges, sour cream, jalapeno slices, cilantro, shredded cheese and tortilla strips.

Kitchen Equipment to Make this Recipe for White Chicken Chili

• Large 6 quart Dutch oven or large pot.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Chopping board and knife.
• Large spoon.
• Cheese grater.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Beans – White chicken chili is typically made with white beans. I use navy beans in this recipe but you could also use cannellini beans.
• Chicken – You could use chicken thighs in place of chicken breasts.
• Oil – You could cook the chicken in butter instead of oil.
• Corn – You could add 1 cup corn kernels to the pot in addition to the peppers for a hint of sweetness.
• Spice – You could add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or serve it with hot sauce on the side to add a little heat.
• Precooked Chicken – This recipes takes you from the point of prepping the chicken to the finished product. If you’re short on time, you could probably adapt using rotisserie chicken from the supermarket deli to expedite the process.
• Shredding – The purpose of cooking the chicken in larger chunks and then shredding it later in the process, is to prevent overcooking and drying out the chicken.
• Adjust the Thickness to Your Taste – In this recipe cream cheese acts as a thickener for the chicken broth. You can adjust the amount according to how thick you’d like the chili to be by adding only half then adjust the thickness from that point with additional cream cheese, if needed. Likewise, you can thin the chili using additional chicken stock.
• Peppers – Using both poblano and jalapeno peppers rounds out the flavor of the chili beautifully. If it’s your preference, you could opt to use on or the other or adapt using milder chilis.

Storage and Leftovers

• Make-Ahead Tip – You can fully cook this chicken chili on the stovetop then transfer it to a slow cooker or crockpot to keep it warm on game day.
• Leftovers – You can store leftover creamy white chicken chili in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavor seems to get better and better with each passing day!
• Reheating – Reheat leftovers over medium heat in a saucepan or in the microwave in single serving portions.
• Freezer – Store chicken white chili frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

Southern Style Side Dishes to Serve with White Chicken Chili

Cornbread is always a winning choice to enjoy alongside a bowl of chili. Whether it’s classic chili with beans, all beef Texas style or a white chicken chili in the instance of this recipe. Suggested Chili Toppings:

• Jalapeno slices, either fresh or pickled.
• Shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey jack cheese. Use pepper jack for additional kick.
• Sour cream or a drizzle of crema.
• Slices of avocado or black olives.
• Seasoned tortilla strips. You could also opt to crush your favorite Doritos, fritos or tortilla chips on top.

More Easy Chicken Recipes Make

I often find chicken on sale which makes it a regular ingredient often used in my Southern kitchen, It’s one of those ingredients that can be personalized using pantry items and it goes a long way to stretch your grocery budget. More chicken recipes you may like to try:

• Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles drizzled with pure maple syrup.
• Bite size Easy Popcorn Chicken.
• Creamy Chicken Marsala served with linguine is Italian night at home.
• Crispy Oven Fried Parmesan Chicken with a side of spaghetti.
• Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole is a retro recipe that never gets old.
• Cute as a button Mini Chicken Pot Pies.
• Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts can be served as an entrée or turned into a chicken sandwich on a toasted roll.
• Chicken Satay from The Food Charlatan.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Cheese Grater
• Measuring Set
• Dutch Oven
• Kitchen Utensils