Thick And Creamy White Chicken Chili Recipe

White chicken chili is a staple recipe in many kitchens. This guide will help you learn how to make the ultimate thick white chicken chili.

White chicken chili in a black bowl.

The depth of flavor achieved with such a small amount of time on the stovetop was surprising.

This recipe is outstanding because, first and foremost, it tastes great! But it also comes together super fast and calls for some basic ingredients that don’t cost an arm and a leg.

Plus, it’s a one-pot meal which makes for a faster cleanup!

White chicken chili in a dark bowl.

Tips And Variations

  • You can always decide to jazz it up even more if you like. Toss in some frozen corn to add more texture.
  • You could throw in a dash of chili powder to give it an extra tex-mex kick. You could even use leftover rotisserie chicken. Just make sure to shred the chicken before you toss it in.
  • Shred some Monterey Jack cheese and put it on top.
  • A squeeze of a lime wedge is a nice touch too. The lime juice really comes through and brightens up the dish.

Key Ingredients

This recipe doesn’t call for too many crazy ingredients or steps, which makes this a perfect weekday recipe. Check to make sure you have these:

  • Skinless, boneless chicken breasts (you can use chicken thighs if you like)
  • Cannellini beans (Great Northern Beans will work as well)
  • Chopped green chilies
White chicken chili in a black bowl garnished with jalapenos and cilantro

Making the White Chicken Chili

As previously stated, the steps are so easy.

But if you can do the smallest of prep work before cooking, it’s as easy as dumping in the ingredients.

Dice the chicken into 1/2 inch pieces. Discard any fatty pieces and set them aside.

Dice one medium onion and 1/2 a jalapeno. Remove the seeds and veins of the jalapeno to reduce the heat. If you like the heat, leave it in. Set aside.

Finely chop the garlic and set it aside. If you like, place all your spices in a ramekin and set them aside.

Heat one tablespoon of oil over medium heat in a large saucepan or dutch oven. Once heated, add the diced chicken, onion, and jalapeno to the pan.

Cook until the chicken is done and the juices run clear, about 10 -12 minutes. Keep the temperature around medium to avoid burning.

Add garlic and stir it in when you feel the chicken is nearly done. Continue to cook for approximately two minutes or until the garlic becomes fragrant.

Ingredients for white chicken chili in a large dutch oven

Next, add the chicken stock, green chiles, white beans, and all the spices to the pot. Mix until well combined.

Increase the heat to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Continue to cook uncovered for 30 minutes.

Cooked white chicken chili in a large dutch oven

Remove the chili from the heat and stir in 1/4 cup of sour cream and 1/4 cup of heavy cream. Stir until it is all incorporated.

Serve in bowls with your favorite toppings. Chopped cilantro, some crushed tortilla chips, and some sliced jalapeno and/or avocado go very well.

White chicken chili in a black bowl garnished with jalapenos, cilantro, tortilla chips and a lime wedge

This is an incredible recipe because it tastes so good, and it’s so easy to make. In less than an hour, you can hammer out a fantastically delicious dish that feeds the entire family with no fuss or muss.

The flavors are all on point, and the creaminess is wonderfully different than the standard tomato-based chilis.

White chicken chili in a black bowl garnished with jalapenos, cilantro, tortilla chips, a lime wedge, and shredded cheese

So, toss this together instead of soup during the cold months and watch the smiles grow. It will become a favorite!

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FAQ

How do you make white chicken chili thicker?

You can smash some beans with a serving spoon to thicken the chili. You can also make a corn starch slurry of 1 tbsp of corn starch and 2 tbsp of water.

Is white chicken chili supposed to be thick or thin?

It should be thick and meant to be a meal in itself.

Are cannellini beans the same as white beans?

Yes. They are also called white kidney beans. Other white beans are Navy, Great Northern, and Baby Lima.

Other Awesome Recipes

White chicken chili in a black bowl.

White Chicken Chili Recipe

White chicken chili is a staple recipe in many kitchens. This guide will help you learn how to make the ultimate white chicken chili.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 288kcal

Ingredients
 

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Skinless, boneless chicken breasts you can use chicken thighs if you like
  • 1 Onion medium, diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic chopped
  • 1/2 Jalapeno diced
  • 2 cans Cannellini beans 15.5 oz cans (can use Great Northern beans)
  • 2 cans Green chiles 4 oz cans
  • 2 cups Chicken broth Low sodium
  • 1/4 cup Sour cream
  • 1/4 cup Heavy whipping cream

Spices

  • 1 1/2 tsp Cumin
  • 1 tsp Oregano
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper

Garnish

  • Cilantro, cheese Garnish, chopped / shredded

Instructions

  • Dice the chicken in 1/2 inch pieces. Discard any fatty pieces and set aside.
  • Dice one medium onion and 1/2 a jalapeno. Remove the seeds and veins of the jalapeno to reduce the heat. If you like the heat, leave it in. Set aside
  • Finely chop the garlic and set aside.
  • In a large saucepan, or dutch oven, heat one tablespoon of oil over medium heat.
  • Once heated, add the diced chicken, onion, and jalapeno to the pan.
  • Cook until the chicken is done and the juices run clear, about 10 -12 minutes. Keep the temperature around medium to avoid burning.
  • When you feel the chicken is being close to done, add garlic and stir it in. Continue to cook for approximately two minutes or until the garlic becomes fragrant.
  • Add the chicken stock, green chiles, the white beans, and all the spices to the pot. Mix until well combined.
  • Increase the heat to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Continue to cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
  • Remove the chili from the heat and stir in 1/4 cup of sour cream and 1/4 cup of heavy cream. Stir until it is all incorporated.
  • Serve in bowls with your favorite toppings. Chopped cilantro, some crushed tortilla chips, some sliced jalapeno and/or avocado go very well.

Nutrition

Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 1423mg | Potassium: 416mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 291IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 4mg

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5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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