Cozy White Bean Chicken Chili Recipe: Hearty Winter Magic

Hearty white bean chicken chili brings comfort and warmth to any chilly evening.

Fragrant spices dance through this robust dish, promising a delightful culinary adventure.

Tender chicken and creamy beans create a perfect harmony of flavors.

Southwest-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly in this satisfying meal.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together with minimal effort.

Rich, bold seasonings make every spoonful a celebration of rustic charm.

You’ll love diving into this soul-warming bowl that feels like a warm embrace.

White Bean Chicken Chili Full of Flavor

• Savor Quick Comfort: This white bean chicken chili delivers a warm, satisfying meal that comes together faster than traditional chili recipes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
• Customize With Ease: Packed with flexible garnish options like cilantro, sour cream, and shredded cheese, the dish allows everyone to personalize their bowl and create their ideal flavor combination.
• Nutrition Powerhouse: Loaded with protein from chicken and white beans, this chili provides a balanced meal that keeps you full and energized without feeling heavy or greasy.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Using simple pantry staples and a single pot, this recipe requires minimal prep work and cleanup, making it a stress-free cooking experience for home chefs of all skill levels.

Ingredients for White Bean Chicken Chili

• Chicken: Shredded chicken provides the main protein for the hearty chili.
• White Beans: Creamy white beans add texture and extra protein to the dish.

• Onions, Garlic: These ingredients create a flavorful base for the chili.
• Cumin, Oregano, Coriander: Warm spices that add depth and traditional chili flavor.
• Green Chilies: Adds a mild heat and authentic southwestern taste.

• Chicken Broth: Creates the liquid base for the chili.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance overall flavor.
• Lime Juice: Brightens the dish with a tangy citrus note.

• Cilantro, Sour Cream, Shredded Cheese: Optional toppings that add freshness, creaminess, and extra flavor.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the initial ingredients.

How to Make White Bean Chicken Chili

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Pot

Grab a large pot and drizzle olive oil, heating it over medium warmth.

Toss in chopped onions and dance them around until they turn soft and translucent, which takes about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Awaken the Aromatic Spices

• Cumin
• Oregano
• Coriander

Stir everything quickly and let the spices sizzle and release their incredible fragrances for roughly 1 minute.

Step 3: Build the Hearty Chili Base

• Shredded chicken
• White beans
• Diced green chilies
• Chicken broth

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then dial down the heat and let everything mingle and simmer for 15-20 minutes.

Step 4: Perfect the Seasoning

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Fresh lime juice

Give everything a good stir to distribute the flavors evenly.

Step 5: Prepare to Serve and Garnish

Ladle the steaming chili into bowls and crown with tempting toppings.

Tips for Delicious and Balanced Chili

• Toast cumin and oregano in the pot before adding other ingredients to enhance their aromatic qualities and deepen the chili's taste profile.
• Slightly mash some white beans against the pot's side to create a thicker, creamier consistency without losing the beans' distinct shape.
• Adjust heat by choosing mild or hot green chilies, or adding diced jalapeños for extra kick without overwhelming the dish.
• Use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken to save cooking time and add extra flavor nuances to the chili.
• Add fresh lime juice just before serving to brighten the overall taste and provide a zesty, vibrant finish to the dish.

Variations to Customize White Bean Chili

• Vegetarian White Bean Chili: Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a plant-based protein option.
• Spicy Southwest Variation: Add diced jalapeños, increase cumin and chili powder, and include roasted corn kernels for extra heat and texture.
• Low-Carb Green Chili Stew: Reduce beans, increase chicken, and add cauliflower rice as a base to lower carbohydrate content while maintaining rich flavor profile.
• Instant Pot Quick Version: Combine all ingredients in pressure cooker, cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then quick release for a faster preparation method.

Serving Ideas for White Bean Chili

• Zesty Toppings Extravaganza: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro, dollop creamy sour cream, and scatter shredded monterey jack or cheddar cheese on top for a burst of flavor and texture.
• Crispy Crunch Companions: Serve alongside warm tortilla chips, crispy corn chips, or toasted sourdough bread for a delightful dipping and scooping experience that adds satisfying crunch.
• Hearty Meal Enhancer: Pair with a light mixed green salad dressed in lime vinaigrette or serve over fluffy white rice to transform this chili into a complete, filling meal that satisfies hunger.
• Fresh Finish Boost: Squeeze extra lime wedges at the table, add sliced jalapeños for heat lovers, or garnish with diced avocado.

Storage Tips for Chili

• Transfer leftover chili to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Package the chili in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining best quality and flavor.
• Place chili in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals. Stir between intervals to ensure even warming and prevent hot spots.
• Reheat chili in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent sticking, bringing to a gentle simmer until thoroughly heated.

FAQs

• What makes white bean chicken chili different from traditional chili?

Unlike red meat chili, this version uses chicken and white beans, creating a lighter, fresher flavor profile with a creamy texture and southwestern-inspired spices.

• Can I use canned or dried beans for this recipe?

Canned white beans work best for convenience and quick cooking. If using dried beans, you’ll need to pre-soak and cook them separately before adding to the chili, which increases preparation time.

• How spicy is this white bean chicken chili?

The recipe has a mild to moderate heat level from green chilies. You can control the spiciness by choosing mild or hot green chilies, or adding additional cayenne pepper for more kick.

White Bean Chicken Chili Recipe

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4.9 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired white bean chicken chili delivers hearty comfort in one delicious bowl. Robust spices and tender chicken create a satisfying meal perfect for chilly evenings you’ll savor to the last spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cooked and shredded

Beans and Liquid:

• 3 cans (15 ounces each) white beans (cannellini, great northern, or navy), drained and rinsed
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Aromatics and Spices:

• 1 large onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans (4 ounces each) diced green chilies
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Juice of 1 lime
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Optional Toppings:

• Sour cream
• Shredded cheese
• Corn
• Jalapenos
• Cayenne pepper
• Cream cheese
• Tomatillos
• Poblano peppers
• White corn tortilla chips

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a substantial cooking vessel over medium-high temperature, allowing onions to become translucent and tender, approximately 4-5 minutes.
2. Introduce minced garlic and aromatic spices, stirring continuously to prevent burning and release intense flavor profiles for about 45-60 seconds.
3. Gently incorporate shredded chicken, carefully fold in white beans, and integrate diced green chilies with prepared chicken broth, elevating heat until liquid reaches a robust bubbling state.
4. Reduce temperature to a gentle simmer, allowing ingredients to meld and develop complex flavors for 18-22 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent potential scorching.
5. Calibrate seasoning with precise salt and pepper measurements, then brighten overall taste profile by adding fresh lime juice for balanced acidity.
6. Transfer chili to serving bowls, artfully garnishing with vibrant chopped cilantro, dollops of creamy sour cream, and scattered shredded cheese for textural contrast and visual appeal.

Notes

• Enhance the chili’s richness by using homemade chicken broth for deeper flavor complexity.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting green chili quantities or adding jalapeños for extra spiciness.
• For a lighter version, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt and use low-fat cheese options.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline cooking process and reduce overall meal preparation time.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 235 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg