Description
Hearty White Chicken Chili delivers comfort and warmth in one delightful bowl, blending tender chicken, creamy beans, and zesty spices. Bold flavors and simple ingredients make this classic Mexican-inspired dish a perfect meal for hungry families seeking satisfying nutrition.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 heaping cups cooked chicken (shredded)
- 2 15 ounces cans great northern beans
- 1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small yellow onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 4 ounces cans diced green chilies
- 1 cup corn
- Fresh cilantro
- Green onions
- Avocado slices
Spices and Liquids:
- 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Juice of ½ small lime
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Shredded cheese
- Tortilla chips
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a 5-6 quart pot over medium-high temperature. Sauté chopped onions for 3-5 minutes until translucent, then quickly incorporate minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot and add green chilies, cumin, cayenne pepper, oregano, paprika, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine seasonings.
- Drain and rinse beans, then optionally puree one ladleful with broth to create a velvety base for the chili.
- Introduce whole beans and corn to the simmering liquid. Allow the mixture to gently bubble uncovered for 15-30 minutes, developing rich flavors and slightly thickening.
- Remove pot from heat and fold in sour cream and shredded cooked chicken. Stir until ingredients are evenly distributed and chicken is warmed through.
- Ladle chili into serving bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, crispy tortilla chips, creamy avocado slices, and finely chopped green onions for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Boost the creaminess by blending a portion of beans, which naturally thickens the chili without adding extra flour or cornstarch.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper – start with a pinch for mild flavor or add more for adventurous spice lovers.
- For a lighter version, swap sour cream with Greek yogurt and use lean chicken breast to reduce overall fat content while maintaining delicious flavor profile.
- Make this chili vegetarian-friendly by replacing chicken with additional beans, tofu, or meat substitute and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Prep Time: 5-7 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 334 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg