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A close-up shot of a bowl of the best white chicken chili, showing the creamy texture and chunks of chicken and beans.

White Chicken Chili: The Creamiest, Most Flavorful Recipe

This White Chicken Chili is the ultimate comfort food! Rich, creamy, and packed with flavor from tender chicken, hearty beans, and a perfect blend of spices. An easy, one-pot recipe perfect for any weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chili
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 Yellow Onion diced
  • 1 Jalapeño seeded and minced
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp Cumin
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
  • 3 cups Cooked Chicken shredded
  • 2 15-ounce cans Great Northern or Cannellini Beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 4-ounce can Diced Green Chiles
  • 4 cups Low-Sodium Chicken Broth
  • 4 oz Cream Cheese softened
  • 1/4 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Lime Juice
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro chopped
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Knife

Method
 

  1. Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and jalapeño and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  2. Bloom Spices: Stir in the cumin, oregano, and chili powder. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant.
  3. Combine and Simmer: Add the shredded chicken, rinsed beans, green chiles, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir everything together, bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  4. Make It Creamy: In a small bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese and about a half-cup of the hot chili broth until smooth. Pour this mixture back into the pot. Stir in the heavy cream.
  5. Finish and Serve: Let the chili simmer for another 5-10 minutes, uncovered, until it has thickened slightly. Stir in the fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve hot with your favorite toppings.

Notes

Tip 1: Using a rotisserie chicken is a great way to save time on busy weeknights.
Tip 2: For a thicker chili, you can mash some of the beans with a fork before adding them to the pot, or let the chili simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes at the end.
Tip 3: Adjust the heat by adding more or fewer jalapeños, or a pinch of cayenne for an extra kick.