White Chicken Chili (Printable)

A hearty bowl of tender chicken and creamy white beans simmered with sweet corn in a rich, spiced 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 and Broth

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

→ Dairy

10 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
11 - ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half

→ Spices and Seasonings

12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
14 - ½ teaspoon chili powder
15 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
16 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
17 - ½ teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnishes

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

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering.
02 - Add diced onion and jalapeño; sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add chicken breasts, white beans, corn, green chiles, chicken broth, cumin, oregano, chili powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
06 - Remove chicken from pot and shred using two forks until fully separated into bite-sized pieces. Return shredded chicken to pot.
07 - Stir in softened cream cheese and heavy cream; simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly until cream cheese is fully melted and chili achieves a smooth, creamy consistency.
08 - Taste chili and adjust salt, pepper, and spice levels as needed.
09 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro, green onions, shredded cheese, and lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of cream cheese and heavy cream creates this silky texture that coats your spoon and warms you from the inside out in a way regular chili never could.
  • You can adjust the heat level so easily by adding more jalapeno or cayenne which means everyone at your table can customize their bowl to their exact preference.
02 -
  • Never boil the chili after adding the dairy or youll risk the cream separating and creating an oily layer on top instead of that velvety texture we want.
  • Letting the cream cheese come fully to room temperature before adding it is absolutely crucial unless you enjoy spending 15 minutes hunting down and smooshing stubborn little cream cheese lumps against the side of your pot.
03 -
  • Save time and add incredible flavor by using a rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken breasts just shred it and add it to the simmering broth about 10 minutes before adding the dairy.
  • For an incredible flavor boost, char your corn kernels in a dry skillet until slightly blackened before adding them to the pot the smoky sweetness adds a whole new dimension to the chili.
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