(Better Than Any Restaurant!)
1. Introduction
White Chicken Chili is pure comfort in a bowl. It’s warm, creamy, mildly spicy, and loaded with tender chicken, white beans, green chiles, and flavorful spices. This isn’t your regular red chili — it’s lighter, smoother, and perfect for cozy dinners, family meals, or meal-prep lunches.
If you want a soup that feels fancy but is actually super easy, this one’s a winner. One pot, simple ingredients, and amazing flavor — you’ll be making this again and again.
2. Ingredients (With Measurements)
🛒 Shopping List
Protein
2 tablespoons olive oil
1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra flavor)
Vegetables
1 medium onion, finely chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium jalapeño, seeded and diced (optional for spice)
Canned Goods
2 (15-oz) cans great northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 (7-oz) can green chiles
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Dairy
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup full-fat sour cream
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
Seasonings
1½ teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon black pepper
Extras
- Juice of 1 lime
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
3. Essential Kitchen Tools & Appliances
✅ Large soup pot or Dutch oven
✅ Sharp knife
✅ Cutting board
✅ Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
✅ Measuring cups and spoons
✅ Ladle
✅ Fork (for shredding chicken)
✅ Cheese grater (if shredding fresh cheese)
Optional:
✅ Immersion blender (if you want it safer-side creamy)
4. Preparation Steps
Before you even turn on the stove, get everything ready:
- Chop your onion and jalapeño.
- Mince garlic.
- Drain and rinse beans.
- Shred cheese.
- Cut chicken into large chunks.
- Measure spices into a small bowl.
- Juice your lime and chop cilantro.
Getting everything ready first = stress-free cooking.
5. Cooking Instructions
👩🍳 Step-By-Step
Step 1: Sauté the base
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add onion and cook 4–5 minutes until soft.
Add garlic and jalapeño — cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 2: Cook the chicken
Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned on all sides (about 5 minutes).
Step 3: Build flavor
Sprinkle in cumin, oregano, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
Stir well — let the spices bloom for 1 minute.
Step 4: Add liquids
Pour in chicken broth, green chiles, and beans.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
Step 5: Shred chicken
Remove chicken and shred it using two forks.
Return it to the pot.
Step 6: Make it creamy
Lower heat and stir in:
- Heavy cream
- Sour cream
- Cheese
Stir gently until melted and smooth.
Step 7: Final touch
Add lime juice and fresh cilantro.
Taste and adjust seasoning.
Let simmer another 5 minutes and it’s ready!
6. Serving Suggestions
Top your chili with:
✅ Extra cheese
✅ Cilantro
✅ Diced avocado
✅ Jalapeño slices
✅ Tortilla strips
✅ Sour cream swirl
Serve with:
- Cornbread
- Garlic bread
- Warm tortilla
- Simple green salad
7. Additional Tips
✨ Thicker Soup: Mash some beans before adding.
🌶️ Spicier: Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
🥛 Dairy-Free: Use coconut cream and vegan cheese.
🥗 Healthier: Use light cream & reduced-fat cheese.
🥘 Slow Cooker: Cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.
❄️ Freezer Friendly: Freeze in airtight containers up to 3 months.
8. Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Approx |
|---|---|
| Calories | 420 kcal |
| Protein | 32 g |
| Carbs | 24 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
| Calcium | 180 mg |
Based on 6 servings.
9. FAQ
Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes! Add it in Step 5 and skip browning.
Q: Can I freeze this soup?
Absolutely. Let it cool fully and freeze for up to 3 months.
Q: Can I substitute beans?
Yes — Cannellini or navy beans work well.
Q: My soup curdled. Why?
Heat was too high when adding dairy. Always lower heat first.
Q: Is it keto-friendly?
Reduce beans and swap cream with heavy whipping cream.
10. Wrap-Up
This White Chicken Chili is the kind of recipe that stays in your favorites forever. It’s creamy, cozy, and loaded with flavor — but simple enough for a weeknight dinner.
Fun fact: White chicken chili became popular as a twist on traditional chili for people who wanted bold flavor without tomato heaviness — and it quickly became a comfort classic.
So grab a spoon, find your favorite toppings, and enjoy every warm bite 💛
