White Chicken Chili recipe

This White Chicken Chili recipe is a comforting dish that offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures. With its creamy consistency, tender shredded chicken, white beans, and sweet corn, it’s perfect for cozy dinners or meal prep. This chili is also freezer-friendly, making it ideal for busy weeknights or when you want to stock up your pantry with delicious options. Plus, it can be easily customized with your favorite toppings!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick Preparation: This dish can be made in just 35 minutes, making it a perfect choice for a weeknight meal.
• Creamy Texture: The addition of cream cheese creates an ultra-thick and creamy consistency that will satisfy your comfort food cravings.
• Versatile Toppings: Serve with avocado, lime wedges, or cheese to personalize each bowl and enhance the flavors.
• Freezer Friendly: Make a big batch and freeze leftovers for easy meals on busy days.
• Healthy Ingredients: Packed with protein from chicken and fiber from beans, this chili is both nutritious and filling.

Tools and Preparation

To make this White Chicken Chili recipe, you’ll need some essential tools that will help streamline your cooking process.

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Dutch oven or large soup pot
• Cutting board
• Meat thermometer
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring spoons

Importance of Each Tool

• Dutch oven or large soup pot: Ideal for simmering the chili evenly and ensuring all ingredients meld together beautifully.
• Meat thermometer: Guarantees that the chicken is cooked through to a safe temperature of 165°F.
• Mixing bowls: Useful for preparing ingredients like cubed cream cheese or combining cornstarch with water.

Ingredients

This White Chicken Chili is ultra thick and creamy, with shredded chicken, white beans, corn, and just the right amount of spice! Make ahead and freezer friendly, perfect for pantry cooking.

For the Chili Base

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lb)
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 can white kidney beans (drained and rinsed (19oz or 591ml))
• 1 can sweet corn (drained (12oz or 341ml))
• 1 can green chiles (4oz or 113ml)

Seasonings

• 1 teaspoon green hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Creaminess Factor

• 4 ounces cream cheese (room temperature (125g))

Optional Thickening Agent

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)
• 1 tablespoon water (optional)

For Serving

• Chips (avocado, lime wedges, salsa, cheese or jalapenos)

How to Make White Chicken Chili recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

To a 3- to 4-quart Dutch oven or soup pot, add the chicken and broth. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and let it simmer for 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. A meat thermometer should read 165°F.

Step 2: Shred the Chicken

Remove the chicken from the pot and place it on a large cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return shredded chicken back into the pot with the broth.

Step 3: Add Beans and Seasonings

Add the beans, corn, green chiles, hot sauce, chili powder, onion powder, and salt into the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Step 4: Incorporate Cream Cheese

Cut the cream cheese into cubes. Stir these cubes into the pot until they melt completely. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes while stirring occasionally.

Step 5: Thicken if Desired

If you prefer a thicker chili, mix cornstarch with water in a small bowl until smooth. Add this mixture to the simmering chili and stir well until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 6: Serve Your Chili

Serve your White Chicken Chili hot with additional toppings such as hot sauce, chips, avocado slices, lime wedges, salsa, shredded cheese, or jalapenos according to your preference!

How to Serve White Chicken Chili recipe

Serving your White Chicken Chili is just as important as making it. The right toppings and sides can elevate the dish, creating a delicious and memorable meal.

Toppings

• Avocado: Fresh avocado adds creaminess and a rich texture that complements the chili.
• Lime Wedges: A squeeze of lime juice brightens the flavors and adds a refreshing zing.
• Salsa: Choose your favorite salsa for an extra layer of flavor and a bit of heat.
• Cheese: Shredded cheese (like Monterey Jack or cheddar) melts beautifully on top, enhancing the creaminess.
• Jalapenos: For those who enjoy spice, sliced jalapenos provide a nice kick.

Chips

• Tortilla Chips: Crunchy tortilla chips add texture and are perfect for dipping into the chili.
• Pita Chips: These are a great alternative to traditional chips and offer a unique flavor twist.

How to Perfect White Chicken Chili recipe

To make your White Chicken Chili truly exceptional, consider these tips that enhance flavor and texture.

• Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh herbs and spices will provide a more vibrant taste compared to dried ones.
• Shred Chicken Properly: Ensure the chicken is shredded finely to allow it to absorb more flavors from the broth.
• Adjust Spice Levels: Taste as you go! You can always add more heat with hot sauce or spices according to your preference.
• Thicken It Up: If you prefer a thicker chili, use cornstarch mixed with water as suggested in the recipe.
• Simmer Longer for Depth: Letting the chili simmer longer allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

Best Side Dishes for White Chicken Chili recipe

Pairing side dishes with your White Chicken Chili can create a well-rounded meal. Here are some fantastic options.

1. Cornbread: Sweet cornbread balances the savory flavors of the chili wonderfully. Serve warm with butter for extra indulgence.
2. Garden Salad: A light salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a vinaigrette offers freshness alongside the rich chili.
3. Quinoa Salad: This protein-packed salad complements the chili while keeping things healthy. Add cucumbers and bell peppers for crunch.
4. Garlic Breadsticks: Soft breadsticks brushed with garlic butter make for an irresistible side that goes well with any soup or chili.
5. Roasted Vegetables: A medley of roasted seasonal vegetables adds color and nutrition to your meal. Try zucchini, bell peppers, and carrots drizzled with olive oil.
6. Coleslaw: A tangy coleslaw provides crunch and acidity, perfectly cutting through the richness of the chili.
7. Rice Pilaf: Fluffy rice pilaf seasoned with herbs makes an excellent base for serving alongside your chili.
8. Stuffed Peppers: Colorful stuffed peppers filled with quinoa or rice can be both visually appealing and satisfying next to your bowl of chili.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When making your white chicken chili, it’s easy to run into some common pitfalls. Here are a few mistakes to watch out for.

• Not properly seasoning: Failing to add enough spices can lead to bland chili. Taste as you go and adjust the seasonings accordingly.
• Overcooking the chicken: Cooking the chicken for too long can make it tough. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F without overcooking.
• Ignoring the broth choice: Using a low-quality broth can affect the overall flavor. Opt for low-sodium chicken broth for better control over saltiness.
• Skipping the simmering step: Rushing through cooking can prevent flavors from developing. Allow sufficient time for simmering to enhance the taste.
• Using cold cream cheese: Adding cold cream cheese can create lumps. Make sure it’s at room temperature before mixing it in.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

• Store in an airtight container.
• Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezing White Chicken Chili recipe

• Use a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags.
• Can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheating White Chicken Chili recipe

• Oven: Preheat to 350°F and heat in an oven-safe dish until warm throughout, about 20-25 minutes.
• Microwave: Place in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
• Stovetop: Heat on medium-low, stirring frequently until warmed through, about 5-10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a White Chicken Chili recipe?

White Chicken Chili recipe is a creamy and hearty dish made with shredded chicken, white beans, corn, and spices—perfect for warming up on chilly days.

Can I use frozen chicken in my White Chicken Chili recipe?

Yes! You can use frozen chicken breasts; just increase the cooking time slightly and ensure they reach 165°F.

How do I make my White Chicken Chili recipe spicier?

To add more heat, include extra green chiles or your favorite hot sauce during cooking. Adjust to taste!

What toppings go well with White Chicken Chili recipe?

Toppings like avocado, lime wedges, cheese, jalapenos, or tortilla chips complement this chili beautifully.

Can I customize my White Chicken Chili recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini or swap in different beans based on your preferences.

Final Thoughts

This White Chicken Chili recipe is not only thick and creamy but also incredibly versatile. You can easily customize it with your favorite toppings or ingredients. Give it a try and enjoy a comforting meal that’s perfect for any occasion!