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White Chicken Chili Recipe

4.9 from 268 reviews

This White Chicken Chili is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender shredded chicken, Great Northern beans, and a medley of spices. Enhanced with green chiles and finished with sour cream and heavy cream, it’s a flavorful take on a classic chili, perfect for warming up on chilly days. Serve it topped with fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, and lime wedges for a delightful meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cans (4 oz each) diced green chiles
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained (optional)
  • 1 ½ tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp salt, adjust to taste
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)

Finishing Ingredients

  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • Fresh cilantro (for topping)
  • Lime wedges (for serving)
  • Shredded cheese (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Sauté aromatics: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
  2. Add beans & spices: Stir in the diced green chiles, Great Northern beans, corn if using, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the spices to release their flavors.
  3. Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and add the shredded cooked chicken to the pot. Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 20 to 25 minutes to meld all the flavors together.
  4. Make it creamy: Stir in the sour cream and heavy cream (or half-and-half) until fully combined and heated through, giving the chili a rich, creamy texture.
  5. Serve: Ladle the chili into bowls and top with fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, and a squeeze of lime juice for added brightness and flavor.

Notes

  • Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds great flavor.
  • Adjust salt to your taste as broth and beans may contain sodium.
  • Corn is optional; omit if you prefer a bean-only chili.
  • For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or omit cream altogether.
  • Garnishes like avocado, jalapeños, or tortilla chips complement this chili nicely.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

Keywords: white chicken chili, creamy chili, chicken and beans chili, easy chili recipe, weeknight dinner, comfort food