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Creamy White Chicken Chili

Creamy white chicken chili recipe in a rustic bowl with fresh toppings.

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This cozy, one-pot chili is a hug in a bowl. It features tender shredded chicken, cannellini beans, and corn in a rich, velvety broth made creamy with melted cheeses. Ready in under an hour, it’s a family-friendly comfort food that’s both nourishing and indulgent.

Ingredients

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  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels
  • 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened and cubed
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh cilantro, lime wedges, avocado, and extra cheese for serving

Instructions

  1. In a large Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, green chiles, cumin, oregano, and cayenne. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Add the whole chicken to the pot. Pour in chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.
  3. Remove chicken to a plate and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in the cannellini beans and frozen corn. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. Reduce heat to low. Add the cubed cream cheese and shredded cheese. Stir gently and continuously until cheeses are completely melted and the broth is smooth.
  5. Remove pot from heat. Stir in sour cream or Greek yogurt. Taste and season generously with salt and black pepper. Serve with desired toppings.

Notes

For a lighter version, use Neufchatel cheese or full-fat coconut milk. For ultra-creamy texture, blend one cup of the chili (beans and broth) and stir it back in. Always season at the end after adding dairy. Reheat gently over low heat.

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