White Chicken Chili Recipe (2024)

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This White Chicken Chili recipe is hearty, creamy, and has become a new favorite!! Best of all, it’s ready in 30 minutes or less!

Traditional beef chiliis always a safe bet for potlucks and chili cook-offs but we love this White Chicken Chili, especially served with cornbread.

White Chicken Chili Recipe (1)

All-time favorite!

We love soup season!

And we also love chili cook-offs and potlucks in the fall. One of our go-to’s that gets rave reviews (and awards) is this White Chicken Chili recipe. Everyone loves it.

Here’s why:

  • Especially easy and quick. This recipe is prepped in 5 minutes and finished in under 30 minutes.
  • Stovetop or Crock Pot. It can be made both ways, which is great if you’re in a rush or want to dump and go in the slow cooker.
  • Award Winning! It’s so good that it’s constantly winning Chili cook-offs. With so much flavor and so many ways to customize, it’s sure to be a hit!

Along with some of our favorites like Cheesy Potato Soup and Chicken Tortilla Soup, this White Chicken Chili is one we always have on repeat.

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White Chicken Chili Ingredients

  • Chicken Broth – We use full-sodium but if using a lower sodium, you may need to add a little more salt.
  • Great Northern Beans – Great Northern Beans are a medium sized white bean. They can be substitutes with a smaller navy bean or larger white kidney beans (cannellini beans).
  • Shredded Chicken – I like to use my crock pot to make Shredded Chicken, but you can also make Oven Baked Chicken then shred it or even Rotisserie chicken.
  • Diced Green Chilies – Mild or hot – whichever you prefer.
  • Spices: ground cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano, dash of black pepper. For extra heat, sprinkle in: cayenne pepper, red chili flakes or a white chili powder. You can also add a chopped onion or onion powder for more flavor.
  • Cheese. Shredded Monterey Jackor Mexican blend cheese
  • Sour Cream. Greek yogurt can be substitutes for sour cream.
  • Toppings + Garnish. Top with your favorite cheese such as Monterey Jack Cheese, cheddar cheese, or Mexican cheese Blend, as well as more sour cream, cilantro, sliced avocado, lime wedges (or lime juice) or Tortilla strips.
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How to Make White Chicken Chili

  1. COMBINE. Begin by throwing all the ingredients, except the sour cream and cheese, into a large pot.
  2. SIMMER. Simmer on low-medium heat for 20-30 minutes or until completely heated through.
  3. SOUR CREAM + TOPPINGS. Right before serving, stir in the sour cream and cheese until it’s melted.

In the crockpot

To make in the slow cooker, add all the ingredients(minus the sour cream and cheese) into the crockpot and cook on low for 2 hours and you’re set!

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White Chicken Chili Recipe (5)

recipe tips + SIDES

How to thicken?Here are a couple ways to thicken chilis and soups.

  • Cornstarch: Use 2 tablespoons per cup of chili. In a separate bowl mix 2 table spoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until it’s very smooth. Then, gradually stir the mixture into the hot liquid until it’s blended.
  • Add softened cream cheese. This will not only add a layer of flavor but thicken up the soup.
  • Use heavy whipping cream along with, or in place of, the sour cream to thicken the soup.

What sides go well with chili? So many, but here are some of our favorites:

  • Mexican Cornbread
  • Jalapeno Popper Dip
  • Classic Cornbread
  • Cornbread Muffins
  • Tortilla Chips + Salsa
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Recipe FAQ

How to store? Chicken Chili shouldn’t be left out on the counter for more than 2 hours.You can store the chili in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

How to reheat? Reheat in the microwave, stove top, or crock pot until the desired temperature.

How to freeze? If possible, we recommend freezing the chili before you add the sour cream and cheese. To do this, place it in a freezer-safe gallon bag in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in a pot and then add the additional ingredients at the end.

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For more chili recipes:

White Chicken Chili Recipe (12)

White Chicken Chili Recipe (13)

5 from 160 votes

White Chicken Chili Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna

White Chicken Chili is hearty, creamy, and has become a new favorite!! Best of all, it's ready in 30 minutes or less!

Servings: 8

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 25 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 3-4 (15.5-ounce) cans Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
  • 1-2 (4-ounce) cans diced green chiles
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • dash of pepper
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend cheese
  • 1 cup sour cream

Instructions

  • In a large pot, combine broth, beans, chicken, green chiles, cumin, garlic powder, oregano and pepper over medium-low heat.

  • Simmer for 20–30 minutes, or until soup is heated through.

  • Right before serving, add cheese and sour cream and stir until cheese is melted and ingredients are mixed.

Video

Notes

Slow Cooker Directions: Combine all ingredients except cheese and sour cream in the slow cooker and cook on low for 1–2 hours. Add cheese and sour cream and cook for an additional 30–60 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Stir together and serve warm.

Store. Chicken Chili shouldn’t be left out on the counter for more than 2 hours.You can store the chili in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Reheat. Reheat in the microwave, stove top, or crock pot until the desired temperature.

Freeze.If possible, we recommend freezing the chili before you add the sour cream and cheese. To do this, place it in a freezer-safe gallon bag in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in a pot and then add the additional ingredients at the end.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 214kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 65mg, Sodium: 941mg, Potassium: 169mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 404IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 251mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Making this recipe? Tag us!

Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

Categorized as: American Recipes, Chicken, Cuisines, Fall, Main Dishes, Recipes, Seasonal Recipes, Soups, Winter

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

More About Kristyn

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White Chicken Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is white chili made of? ›

White chili is made with white beans, chicken (sometimes pork), and mild green chiles. (That said, if you must, must have scorching heat in your chili, there are ways to do that while still keeping the chili white.

How to thicken up white chicken chili? ›

From the Editor
  1. Use a cornstarch slurry: Mix together equal parts cornstarch and cold water, then stir it into the chili.
  2. Simmer the chili longer: The longer you simmer the chili, the thicker it will be. ...
  3. Add more beans: Mash another can of cannellini beans with a potato masher, then stir it into the chili.
Oct 19, 2023

What is the difference between chili and white chili? ›

Regular chili has a rich base of red chilies (or chili powder) and sometimes tomato, while white chili calls for green chilies. We use canned Hatch green chilies, white beans, and tender shredded chicken to make our white chili recipe. It tastes quite different from red chili but is just as delicious!

Why is my white chicken chili watery? ›

This can be the result of: Adding too much stock, broth, or water. A base of beef broth, chicken broth, or stock (and occasionally water, milk, or cream), sets the tone for most chili recipes. If your chili looks watery, you may have poured in more than required.

What veggies to put in chicken chili? ›

Vegetables - sweet onion, green onions, yellow bell pepper, jalapeno. Seasonings - garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper. Cans - Cannellini Beans, Northern White Beans, Pinto Beans, Sweet Yellow Corn, White Corn, Green Chiles.

Are cannellini beans the same as navy beans? ›

Due to their creamy white color, navy beans are sometimes confused with other white beans such as great northern beans, cannellini beans, or white kidney beans. Although their taste is similar, navy beans are smaller and rounder than these other varieties.

How to make chili more flavorful? ›

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Chili should be thick and hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but sometimes there's just a bit more liquid than you want in the pot. While you can simply keep simmering the chili, that method risks overcooking softer ingredients like the beans, losing all your nice texture to mushy monotony.

How can I make my white chicken chili less spicy? ›

Add a generous dollop of sour cream, creme fraiche, or yogurt to scorching hot chili or stews, or even a touch of milk or cream. For best results, though, go with full-fat dairy. For tomato sauces and stews that don't want dairy, try shredding some cheese on top. Photo by Meredith.

Why do you put white vinegar in chili? ›

Stirred into the pot right before serving, a spoonful of vinegar brightens up the finished product, and gives it that full, rounded taste that was missing. Even if the chili recipe you're using doesn't call for vinegar, go ahead and add it anyway. You won't actually taste the tang or sharp flavor of the vinegar.

Which chili is the healthiest? ›

“Look for chilis that use turkey, tofu, chicken or beans,” suggested RDN Bianca Tamburello. “Those are leaner proteins that typically have less saturated fat than chili made with beef or pork.” Sodium content can be an issue with canned food, so it's important to check out how much is in your chili.

Which pepper is better for chili? ›

Which Peppers Have An Earthy Flavor?
AnchoFruity, earthy, bitter, raisiny, tobacco-y, plummy, chocolate. 1,000-1,500 SHUGood for all kinds of chilis
Smoked Red SerranoFruity, mildly smoky, earthy, acidic. 8,000-18,000 SHUAdd to stews with game, like venison, or more traditional turkey or beef
2 more rows

What is the best way to thicken white chicken chili? ›

Use All-Purpose Flour or Cornstarch

"Transfer some warm liquid [from the chili] to a separate bowl. Whisk in the flour or cornstarch, then slowly stir it back in the pot," advises Wofford. Bring the mixture back to a boil, which will "activate" the ingredient, instantly thickening the dish.

Does tomato paste make chili thicker? ›

Not only will tomato paste add a tangy flavor to the dish, but it will also act as a thickening agent. For this purpose, you can use homemade or store-bought tomato paste. Add 1 can of the paste to your pot of chili, stir the mixture, and let it cook on medium heat for about 30 minutes.

What liquid do you add to chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

What is another name for white chili beans? ›

Cannellini Beans

They retain their shape and texture well, so they're perfect to use in salads, soups, stews, and chili.

Is white chili powder the same as white pepper? ›

It is small and very hot with a medium conical shape - a typical white bird chili. This chilli powder is white in colour with a pretty big kick - definitely not to be mistaken with white pepper powder. White chilli powder can be added to any dish for extra spice, and being white, it adds no colour to the dish.

What is the use of white chilli? ›

With an astonishing beige color, the White Chili develops fruity and lemony notes. It will strongly spice up your dishes such as salad, tabbouleh, tomato preparations, soups.

Are great northern beans the same as cannellini beans? ›

"The difference between the two rests primarily with the heartiness of the cannellini over the northern," explains Vince Hayward, the president of Camellia Brand beans. "Because of the thicker skin, and slightly bolder bean taste, the cannellini lends itself better towards soups and stews," Hayward adds.

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