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White Bean Chicken Chili

White Bean Chicken Chili - recipe card
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A hearty and creamy white bean chicken chili with tender shredded chicken, mild green chiles, and a velvety broth thickened by blending a portion of the beans. Brightened with lime and cilantro, this stovetop chili delivers comforting Southwest flavors without relying on bacon or pork.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced (optional, for heat)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed, divided
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 (4-ounce) cans diced green chiles, undrained
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded (about 8 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from about 1 lime)
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
  • Optional toppings: shredded Monterey Jack cheese, diced avocado, sour cream, tortilla strips

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat until the oil shimmers. Add the finely diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent and soft, about 4–5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and diced jalapeño, if using, and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant, watching carefully so the garlic does not burn.
  2. Stir in the ground cumin, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toast the spices for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until they become aromatic. This step deepens the flavor of the chili and removes any raw taste from the spices.
  3. Add 1 1/2 cups of the drained and rinsed cannellini beans to the pot along with the chicken broth and undrained diced green chiles. Reserve the remaining 1/2 cup of beans for thickening later. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  4. While the chili simmers, place the reserved 1/2 cup of cannellini beans in a small bowl. Mash them with the back of a fork or a potato masher until a chunky paste forms. This will act as a natural thickener for the chili, giving it a creamy body without the need for flour or cream.
  5. After the 10-minute simmer, stir the mashed beans into the pot. Add the shredded cooked chicken breast and continue to cook over medium-low heat for another 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is heated through and the chili has thickened slightly.
  6. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring gently, until the cream is fully incorporated and the chili is hot but not boiling. Boiling after adding cream can cause it to curdle, so keep the heat low.
  7. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the fresh lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or lime juice if needed. The lime brightens the chili and balances the richness from the cream.
  8. Ladle the chili into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve immediately with any optional toppings such as shredded Monterey Jack cheese, diced avocado, sour cream, or tortilla strips. The chili thickens as it cools, so stir in a splash of broth or water when reheating if desired.

Notes

Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze, cool completely and transfer to freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. To reheat, warm in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until steaming; add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the consistency. For a thicker chili, simmer an extra 5 minutes uncovered. Avoid using wine, beer, bacon, or pork in any variation of this recipe.

Nutrition

Keywords: white bean chicken chili, chicken chili recipe, white chili, green chile chicken chili, creamy chicken chili, Southwestern chili, easy chili recipe, weeknight dinner, healthy white chili, cannellini bean chili, chicken and white bean chili

Find it online: https://copycatkitchenco.com/white-bean-chicken-chili/