White Chicken Chili (Printer-friendly)

Tender chicken and white beans simmered with corn, green chiles, and warm spices in a creamy, flavorful broth.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
06 - 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
07 - 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles

→ Beans & Broth

08 - 2 cans (15 ounces each) white beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Dairy

10 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
11 - 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half

→ Spices & Seasonings

12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
15 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
16 - 1 teaspoon salt
17 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnishes

18 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
19 - Sliced green onions
20 - Shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
21 - Lime wedges

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and jalapeño, sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add chicken breasts, white beans, corn, green chiles, chicken broth, cumin, oregano, chili powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine.
04 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes until chicken is fully cooked through.
05 - Remove chicken from pot and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot.
06 - Stir in cream cheese and heavy cream. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly until cream cheese melts completely and chili reaches desired creaminess.
07 - Taste chili and adjust seasonings as needed.
08 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with cilantro, green onions, shredded cheese, and lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The cream cheese melts into the broth to create a texture that feels like velvet on your tongue.
  • It is the ultimate lazy Sunday meal because most of the work happens while you are curled up on the couch.
02 -
  • If you add the cream cheese while it is still cold, you will spend twenty minutes chasing tiny white lumps around the pot.
  • A small splash of the juice from the canned green chiles adds an extra layer of zing that balances the heavy cream.
03 -
  • Always rinse your beans thoroughly to remove the metallic taste from the canning liquid.
  • Letting the chili sit for ten minutes after cooking allows the starches to settle and creates a much thicker texture.
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