Description
Hearty spicy white chicken chili delivers comfort and warmth from Mexican culinary traditions. Rich flavors blend tender chicken, white beans, and green chilies into a satisfying bowl perfect for home cooks seeking bold, zesty meal inspiration.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) chicken breast, diced
Beans and Vegetables:
- 2 cans white beans, drained
- 1 can green chilies
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Spices, Liquids, and Toppings:
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Toppings:
- Shredded cheese
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat (375°F), gently sweating onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Introduce diced chicken to the pot, searing each piece until golden brown and cooked through, ensuring no pink remains, about 6-7 minutes.
- Sprinkle aromatic spices – cumin, oregano, chili powder, cayenne pepper – directly onto the chicken, coating evenly and releasing their intense flavors.
- Pour white beans, green chilies, and rich chicken broth into the pot, stirring to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Increase heat to bring the mixture to a robust boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing flavors to meld together for 20 minutes.
- Incorporate creamy sour cream, gently folding into the chili to create a smooth, luxurious texture without breaking the sauce.
- Let the chili rest for an additional 5 minutes off direct heat to allow final flavor integration and slight thickening.
- Ladle into warm bowls and garnish with optional toppings like fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, or crisp tortilla strips.
Notes
- Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth to make this recipe vegetarian-friendly and still maintain rich flavor depth.
- Reduce cayenne pepper for milder version or increase for extra heat, allowing customization to personal spice tolerance.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a protein-packed, lower-fat alternative that keeps the creamy texture intact.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and ensure all components are ready when needed for smooth recipe execution.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 315 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg