White Chicken Chili in Only 60 Minutes Recipe
This white chicken chili is a creamy, comforting, and flavorful twist on traditional chili. Made with tender chicken, white beans, green chilies, and a blend of aromatic spices, this dish is hearty yet lighter than the classic beef chili. Perfect for cozy dinners or family meals, it comes together in about 60 minutes and offers versatility to suit your taste, including options for dairy-free or spicier versions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup/Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Beans
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken recommended)
- 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, drained and rinsed (such as cannellini, great northern, or navy beans)
Chili Base
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dairy
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh cilantro
- Avocado slices
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Start by shredding your cooked chicken if not using pre-shredded. Dice the onion and mince the garlic to have everything ready.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until they become soft and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Spices and Chilies: Stir in ground cumin, dried oregano, chili powder, and diced green chilies. Cook for another minute to toast the spices, enhancing their flavors.
- Combine Beans and Broth: Add the drained white beans and chicken broth to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Add Chicken and Simmer: Incorporate the shredded chicken into the chili. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and allow it to cook uncovered for about 20 minutes to let the flavors meld without breaking down the beans.
- Incorporate Cream Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Gradually add the softened cream cheese in small additions, stirring constantly to melt it slowly into the chili and achieve a creamy consistency without curdling.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the chili and adjust salt, pepper, or spice level as desired. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, avocado slices, shredded cheese, or sour cream as preferred.
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds great flavor.
- Add cream cheese slowly at room temperature to prevent curdling.
- Adjust spices and green chilies to control heat level.
- Simmer gently to allow flavors to meld without breaking down beans.
- For thicker chili, mash some beans before adding.
- Dairy-free option: substitute cream cheese with coconut milk or a dairy-free cream cheese alternative.
- For vegetarian version, replace chicken with extra beans or tofu and use vegetable broth.
Keywords: white chicken chili, chicken chili recipe, creamy chili, white bean chili, easy chili recipe, comforting chili, stovetop chili
