Introduction

This White Chicken Chili is a comforting and flavorful twist on traditional chili, featuring tender chicken, creamy beans, and a mild blend of spices. It’s perfect for cozy dinners and easy to customize with your favorite toppings.

A close-up view of a creamy soup served in a white bowl, featuring a smooth orange base with a slightly chunky texture. On top, there are multiple layers including shredded cheese in pale yellow, small cubes of green avocado, and sprigs of fresh green cilantro scattered around. Thin, crispy tortilla strips with a light golden-brown color sit atop the soup, adding texture. The soup is garnished with a sprinkle of black pepper, adding small dark specks near the center. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface with another similar bowl blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped (about ½ cup)
2 garlic cloves, finely minced (or 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder)
2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 (4 oz) cans diced green chilies
1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon paprika
Juice of ½ small lime
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 (15 oz) cans great northern beans
1 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
1 cup corn (frozen or fresh)
2 heaping cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie or leftover chicken)
Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Shredded cheese, for garnish
Tortilla chips, for serving
Green onions, for garnish
Avocado, sliced, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large (5-6 quart) pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 2: Pour in the chicken broth, diced green chilies, cumin, cayenne pepper, paprika, oregano, and lime juice. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Drain and rinse the great northern beans using a strainer.
Step 4: Optional: Take a large ladleful of the beans and place them in a food processor with a splash of broth from the soup. Puree until smooth. This adds creaminess and thickens the chili.
Step 5: Add the pureed beans back into the pot along with the remaining whole beans and the corn. Bring the chili to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 15 to 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
Step 6: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the sour cream and shredded cooked chicken until well combined.
Step 7: Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, sliced avocado, green onions, and tortilla chips if desired.

Tips & Variations

Use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a tangy flavor and lighter texture.
Add extra heat by including diced jalapeños or increasing the cayenne pepper.
For a fully smooth chili, blend more of the beans and broth before adding.
Rotisserie chicken adds great flavor and saves time on shredding cooked chicken.

Storage

Store any leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally. If the chili thickens too much when reheated, add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen it.

How to Serve

A bowl filled with creamy orange soup is topped with several colorful layers. On top, there are chunks of green avocado, light yellow shredded cheese, and small green herb leaves scattered around. The soup base looks smooth with tiny pieces of ingredients showing through, and there is a sprinkle of black pepper on the surface. The bowl is white and sits on a white marbled surface, with some extra yellow tortilla strips nearby and lime halves in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this chili in a slow cooker?

Yes, sauté the onions and garlic first, then add all ingredients except sour cream and chicken to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Stir in sour cream and chicken at the end.

What can I use instead of great northern beans?

You can substitute cannellini beans or navy beans if great northern beans are unavailable. They have similar texture and taste that works well in this recipe.