This white chicken chili recipe is easy, delicious, and perfect for a winter night! It has just the right amount of spice without being too spicy, and the flavorful chicken broth is really tasty with the addition of cumin, oregano, and cilantro.
In less than an hour, you can sit down to a comforting bowl of chili that will satisfy your whole family.
Contents
🌟 Why this recipe works
Chili is the perfect comfort food to snuggle up to on a cold winter's evening. This recipe for white chicken chili delivers all of the flavor and warmth you crave without being too heavy or overly spicy.
The key to a good chili is in the balance of flavors, and this recipe has it all. The combination of chicken, beans, corn, and green chilies creates a delicious base that is then spiced up with cumin, oregano, and chili powder. A touch of olive oil and chopped onions round out the flavor and make this chili irresistible.
One of the great things about this recipe is that it is easily adjustable to your taste, so you can enjoy it no matter how spicy you like your chili.
This white chicken chili is also incredibly easy to make in just 45 minutes, and the recipe uses many household ingredients that you likely already have on hand. So the next time you are in the mood for some comfort food, give this chili a try and enjoy!
And if you want to try out other delicious chili recipes, our Texas Roadhouse chili recipe, chili queso dip and Southern skillet chili mac and cheese are both fantastic options.
🍽 Key Ingredients
This white chicken chili recipe only requires a few key pantry ingredients and also a large pot or Dutch oven to cook everything in.
Onion and garlic - The staple ingredients for the base of any dish to give it that savory flavor.
Cumin, oregano, chili powder - These classic chili spices give this dish its warmth and depth of flavor.
Chicken broth - The perfect liquid to bring all the ingredients together and create a delicious soup.
Green chiles, white beans, frozen corn - The hearty vegetables that make this chili filling and satisfying.
Rotisserie chicken - Using a rotisserie chicken is a time-saving shortcut that adds delicious, succulent chicken to the chili.
Fresh cilantro - Cilantro is a bright and fresh herb that really ties all the flavors together.
Sour cream - Sour cream is the perfect topping for a bowl of warm and cozy chili.
Substitutions
Chicken
If you don't have rotisserie chicken, you can use any cooked and shredded chicken breasts or chicken thighs.
🔪 How to make
You'll love how easy it is to make this white chicken chili recipe! It takes 45 minutes from start to finish, and all you need is a large soup pot to prepare it in.
Preparations
- Drain and dice the can of green chilies.
- Drain the canned beans
- Finely chop the cilantro.
- Remove the chicken from the bone and shred it into pieces.
- Mince the 4 cloves of garlic and finely dice the white onion.
Cooking instructions
Step 1
Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot. Cook the onion and jalapeno until the onion begins to soften - about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute or two.
Step 2
Add the cumin, oregano, and chili powder, and cook for a couple more minutes. Stir in the broth, diced green chilies, and 2 cans of beans.
Step 3
Empty the third can of beans into a small bowl and use a fork to mash them into a paste, then add this to the pot with the chopped chicken and stir well to combine.
Step 4
Allow the soup to cook for about 20 - 30 minutes to allow the flavors to combine, then add the corn and cilantro and cook for an additional 5 - 10 minutes.
Step 5
Serve garnished with a dollop of sour cream, tortilla chips, and shredded cheese.
💭 Cooking tips
Thicken white chicken chili
The reason for mashing the 3rd can of beans is to thicken the texture of the chili slightly. If you prefer a soupier chili, feel free to skip this step and just add them to the pot.
Drain the canned beans
Make sure to completely wash and drain the beans before adding them to the pot. This will help to reduce the overall sodium content of the dish.
Add spice gradually
When adding spice to this chili, do so gradually and taste as you go. It is always easier to add more spice than it is to take it away, so better to err on the side of caution.
📖 Variations
There are many ways to change up this white chicken chili to suit your taste if you want it heartier, spicier, or creamier.
Creamy white chicken chili
Add one 16 oz package of softened cream cheese to the pot when you add the mashed beans. This will create a richer, creamier texture.
Extra spicy white chicken chili
Add an additional jalapeno pepper or two to the dish, or use hot diced green chilies instead of mild. You can also add a teaspoon or two of cayenne pepper to really turn up the heat and squeeze 1 teaspoon of fresh lime juice to balance the flavors.
White chicken chili with pasta
Stir in 1 cup of cooked pasta when you add the corn and cilantro. Use any small, shaped pasta, such as shells or elbow macaroni. This will turn your chili into more of a hearty stew.
🥗 What to serve with
There are so many delicious recipes to enjoy with this white chicken chili. Here are a few of our favorites:
Slow cooker fajita soup
This hearty slow-cooker chicken fajita soup is loaded with all your favorite fajita flavors and can be made in the slow cooker for an easy weeknight meal.
Corn nuggets
These bite-sized corn nuggets are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They make the perfect dipping dippers for your chili.
Jalapeno cheddar cornbread
Soak up that delicious creamy broth with a piece of freshly made jalapeno cheddar cornbread. It's easy to make in 45 minutes and so good!
🙋 Frequently asked questions
Can I make this easy white chicken chili in the crockpot?
Yes, crockpot white chicken chili is just as easy to make as the stovetop version. Just add all of the ingredients to your crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
What are the best white beans to buy for this white chili?
There are many different types of white beans, but we prefer great northern beans or cannellini beans for this chili recipe.
🧊 Storing and ♨️ reheating
If you have any leftover white chicken chili, you can easily store and reheat them for another meal.
Fridge - You can store leftover white chicken chili in an airtight container and consume it within 3-4 days.
Freezer - Store leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Reheating - Reheat leftover chili in a pot over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes until hot. Or place the contents in a microwave-safe dish and reheat in 2-minute increments until hot.
🍳 Related recipes
👪 Serving size
You'll get 2 to 3 servings of the white chicken chili, but you can easily scale the recipe to cater to more guests.
Chicken chili is easy to make and packed with flavor. It's perfect for a weeknight meal or serving to a crowd. And with so many delicious variations, there's sure to be a version that everyone will love. So, give it a try, and enjoy!
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Try one of my comfort dinner recipes for your next family meal! And if you have any questions, I'm here to help!
📋 Recipe
White Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion - chopped
- 1 jalapeño - seeded and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 tablespoon cumin - ground
- 2 teaspoon oregano - dried
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 28 oz chicken broth - 2 cans 14oz each
- 4 oz green chiles - drained and chopped
- 45 oz white beans - drained 3 cans 15oz each
- 1 rotisserie chicken - meat removed and roughly chopped
- 1 cup frozen corn
- ¼ cup cilantro - chopped
- for garnish sour cream
Instructions
Preparations
- Drain and dice the can of green chilies.
- Drain the canned beans
- Finely chop the cilantro.
- Remove the chicken from the bone and shred it into pieces.
- Mince the 4 cloves of garlic and finely dice the white onion.
Cooking instructions
- Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot. Cook the onion and jalapeno until the onion begins to soften - about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute or two.
- Add the cumin, oregano, and chili powder, and cook for a couple more minutes. Stir in the broth, diced green chilies, and 2 cans of beans.
- Empty the third can of beans into a small bowl and use a fork to mash them into a paste, then add this to the pot with the chopped chicken and stir well to combine.
- Allow the soup to cook for about 20 - 30 minutes to allow the flavors to combine, then add the corn and cilantro and cook for an additional 5 - 10 minutes.
- Serve garnished with a dollop of sour cream, tortilla chips, and shredded cheese.
Mary Jo Reynolds
After the veggies have sautéed for a couple of minutes, add the drippings and skin from the rotisserie chicken then proceed with the rest of the recipe. Such good flavor & the skin will rise to the top & is easily removed before serving😋