This white chicken chili is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for any time of the year. With tender pieces of chicken breast and a creamy, spicy broth, it's sure to become a family favorite. The combination of great northern beans, green chilies, and a blend of spices creates a rich and satisfying meal that's both hearty and delicious.
Some ingredients in this recipe may not be commonly found in every household. Great northern beans and green chilies might require a trip to the supermarket. These beans are typically found in the canned goods section, while the chilies can be located in the international or Mexican food aisle. Make sure to check the labels to get the right type of beans and chilies for the best flavor.
Ingredients For White Chicken Chili Recipe
Olive oil: A healthy fat used for sautéing the chicken and vegetables.
Chicken breast: Diced into small pieces, it serves as the main protein in the dish.
Onion: Adds a sweet and savory flavor when cooked.
Garlic: Provides a pungent and aromatic base for the chili.
Great northern beans: These beans add a creamy texture and are a good source of protein and fiber.
Green chilies: Adds a mild heat and tangy flavor to the chili.
Chicken broth: Forms the base of the chili, adding depth and richness.
Cumin: A warm spice that adds an earthy flavor.
Oregano: Adds a slightly bitter, aromatic flavor.
Chili powder: Provides a mild heat and a rich, smoky flavor.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Black pepper: Adds a subtle heat and enhances the other flavors.
Sour cream: Adds creaminess and a slight tang to the chili.
Heavy cream: Adds richness and a smooth texture to the chili.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When cooking the chicken breast, make sure to dice it into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking. This will help the chicken cook more quickly and evenly, preventing some pieces from being overcooked while others remain undercooked. Additionally, when adding the onion and garlic, be sure to cook them until the onions are fully translucent to develop a deeper flavor base for your chili.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and similar smoke point, making it a good alternative for cooking.
chicken breast - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast is lean and has a similar texture, making it a suitable replacement.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder flavor and can provide a similar aromatic base.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic, though you may need to adjust the quantity for flavor.
great northern beans - Substitute with cannellini beans: Cannellini beans have a similar texture and mild flavor, making them a good substitute.
green chilies - Substitute with jalapeños: Jalapeños can provide a similar level of heat and flavor when chopped finely.
chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can be used to maintain a similar liquid base while keeping the dish vegetarian.
cumin - Substitute with ground coriander: Ground coriander has a warm, slightly citrusy flavor that can complement the dish similarly.
oregano - Substitute with thyme: Thyme has a slightly different but complementary herbal flavor that can work well in the recipe.
chili powder - Substitute with paprika: Paprika provides a mild heat and smoky flavor, which can be a good alternative.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a similar level of saltiness along with a bit of umami flavor.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat but a slightly different flavor profile, which can still work well.
sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt has a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture, making it a good alternative.
heavy cream - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk can provide a creamy texture and a slight sweetness, adding a different but pleasant flavor.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store/Freeze This Recipe
Allow the white chicken chili to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to a watery texture.
Transfer the cooled chili into airtight containers. For portion control, consider using individual serving-sized containers.
Label each container with the date to keep track of freshness. The chili can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, place the chili in freezer-safe bags or containers. Lay the bags flat in the freezer for efficient storage and quicker thawing.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the chili in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture and flavor.
Reheat the chili on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also reheat in the microwave, using a microwave-safe dish and stirring every minute to ensure even heating.
If the chili appears too thick after reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or water to reach the desired consistency.
Garnish with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, or sliced avocado, to enhance the flavor and presentation.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Pour the white chicken chili into a saucepan.
- Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once it starts to simmer, reduce the heat to low and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until thoroughly heated.
Microwave Method:
- Transfer the chili to a microwave-safe bowl.
- Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent.
- Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Continue heating in 1-minute intervals until hot, stirring between each interval.
Slow Cooker Method:
- Place the leftover chili in the slow cooker.
- Set to low heat and cook for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Check the temperature to ensure it's heated through before serving.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Transfer the chili to an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the chili is hot and bubbly.
Double Boiler Method:
- Fill the bottom pot of a double boiler with water and bring to a simmer.
- Place the chili in the top pot.
- Stir occasionally and heat until the chili is warmed through.
Sous Vide Method:
- Place the chili in a vacuum-sealed bag or a ziplock bag using the water displacement method.
- Set your sous vide machine to 165°F (74°C).
- Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for 30-45 minutes until thoroughly warmed.
Enjoy your reheated white chicken chili with your favorite toppings!
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large pot: Used to cook the chicken and combine all the ingredients for the chili.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the ingredients as they cook.
Chef's knife: Essential for dicing the chicken and chopping the onion.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping the chicken and onion.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring out the olive oil, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the chicken broth, sour cream, and heavy cream.
Can opener: Required to open the cans of great northern beans and green chilies.
Colander: Used to drain and rinse the beans.
Garlic press: Handy for mincing the garlic cloves.
Ladle: Useful for serving the chili into bowls.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Prep ingredients ahead: Dice the chicken, chop the onion, and mince the garlic the night before to save time.
Use pre-cooked chicken: Substitute with rotisserie chicken to cut down on cooking time.
Opt for canned beans: Using canned great northern beans eliminates the need for soaking and cooking dried beans.
One-pot cooking: Cook everything in one pot to reduce cleanup time.
Measure spices in advance: Pre-measure the cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and black pepper to streamline the cooking process.

White Chicken Chili Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 lb Chicken breast, diced
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 cans Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can Green chilies, chopped
- 4 cups Chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- ½ teaspoon Chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
- ½ cup Sour cream
- ½ cup Heavy cream
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced chicken and cook until no longer pink.
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until onions are translucent.
- Add the beans, green chilies, chicken broth, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Stir in sour cream and heavy cream. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve hot, garnished with your favorite toppings.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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