Creamy White Chicken Chili (Printable Version)
Hearty chili featuring tender chicken, white beans, corn & a creamy, mildly spicy broth.
# What You Need:
→ Poultry & Broth
01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
06 - 1 (15 oz) can sweet corn, drained or 1½ cups frozen corn
07 - 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles
→ Beans & Cream
08 - 2 (15 oz each) cans white beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
10 - ½ cup heavy cream
11 - ½ cup sour cream
→ Spices & Seasonings
12 - 1½ tsp ground cumin
13 - 1 tsp dried oregano
14 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
15 - ½ tsp chili powder
16 - 1 tsp salt, or to taste
17 - ½ tsp black pepper
→ Optional Garnishes
18 - Chopped fresh cilantro
19 - Sliced green onions
20 - Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
21 - Lime wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Place chicken in a large pot and add chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes until cooked through. Remove chicken, let cool slightly, then shred using two forks.
02 - In the same pot, add onion, garlic, and jalapeño. Sauté over medium heat for 3–4 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in diced green chiles, corn, white beans, ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
04 - Return shredded chicken to the pot. Add softened cream cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
05 - Pour in heavy cream and sour cream. Stir thoroughly and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture is creamy and heated through. Adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Ladle chili into bowls and garnish with cilantro, green onions, shredded cheese, and lime wedges if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in under 45 minutes, which means weeknight dinners that actually taste like you tried.
- The creaminess is decadent but balanced, so it feels indulgent without sitting heavy in your stomach.
- One pot means less cleanup and more time enjoying the meal with people you care about.
02 -
- Don't let the cream cheese sit in a cold pot or it'll seize into lumps; stir it in over gentle heat so it melts smooth.
- If your chili looks too thin, mash a handful of beans against the side of the pot to release their starch and thicken the broth naturally.
03 -
- Cut the jalapeño into smaller pieces than you think you need so it distributes flavor evenly without overpowering any single spoonful.
- The difference between good and great is adding the spices together at the same moment so they bloom simultaneously instead of competing for attention.