White Chicken Chili Recipe (2024)

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This White Chicken Chili recipe is hearty, creamy, and has become a new favorite!! Best of all, it’s ready in 30 minutes or less!

Traditional beef chiliis always a safe bet for potlucks and chili cook-offs but we love this White Chicken Chili, especially served with cornbread.

White Chicken Chili Recipe (1)

All-time favorite!

We love soup season!

And we also love chili cook-offs and potlucks in the fall. One of our go-to’s that gets rave reviews (and awards) is this White Chicken Chili recipe. Everyone loves it.

Here’s why:

  • Especially easy and quick. This recipe is prepped in 5 minutes and finished in under 30 minutes.
  • Stovetop or Crock Pot. It can be made both ways, which is great if you’re in a rush or want to dump and go in the slow cooker.
  • Award Winning! It’s so good that it’s constantly winning Chili cook-offs. With so much flavor and so many ways to customize, it’s sure to be a hit!

Along with some of our favorites like Cheesy Potato Soup and Chicken Tortilla Soup, this White Chicken Chili is one we always have on repeat.

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White Chicken Chili Ingredients

  • Chicken Broth – We use full-sodium but if using a lower sodium, you may need to add a little more salt.
  • Great Northern Beans – Great Northern Beans are a medium sized white bean. They can be substitutes with a smaller navy bean or larger white kidney beans (cannellini beans).
  • Shredded Chicken – I like to use my crock pot to make Shredded Chicken, but you can also make Oven Baked Chicken then shred it or even Rotisserie chicken.
  • Diced Green Chilies – Mild or hot – whichever you prefer.
  • Spices: ground cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano, dash of black pepper. For extra heat, sprinkle in: cayenne pepper, red chili flakes or a white chili powder. You can also add a chopped onion or onion powder for more flavor.
  • Cheese. Shredded Monterey Jackor Mexican blend cheese
  • Sour Cream. Greek yogurt can be substitutes for sour cream.
  • Toppings + Garnish. Top with your favorite cheese such as Monterey Jack Cheese, cheddar cheese, or Mexican cheese Blend, as well as more sour cream, cilantro, sliced avocado, lime wedges (or lime juice) or Tortilla strips.
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How to Make White Chicken Chili

  1. COMBINE. Begin by throwing all the ingredients, except the sour cream and cheese, into a large pot.
  2. SIMMER. Simmer on low-medium heat for 20-30 minutes or until completely heated through.
  3. SOUR CREAM + TOPPINGS. Right before serving, stir in the sour cream and cheese until it’s melted.

In the crockpot

To make in the slow cooker, add all the ingredients(minus the sour cream and cheese) into the crockpot and cook on low for 2 hours and you’re set!

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White Chicken Chili Recipe (5)

recipe tips + SIDES

How to thicken?Here are a couple ways to thicken chilis and soups.

  • Cornstarch: Use 2 tablespoons per cup of chili. In a separate bowl mix 2 table spoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until it’s very smooth. Then, gradually stir the mixture into the hot liquid until it’s blended.
  • Add softened cream cheese. This will not only add a layer of flavor but thicken up the soup.
  • Use heavy whipping cream along with, or in place of, the sour cream to thicken the soup.

What sides go well with chili? So many, but here are some of our favorites:

  • Mexican Cornbread
  • Jalapeno Popper Dip
  • Classic Cornbread
  • Cornbread Muffins
  • Tortilla Chips + Salsa
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Recipe FAQ

How to store? Chicken Chili shouldn’t be left out on the counter for more than 2 hours.You can store the chili in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

How to reheat? Reheat in the microwave, stove top, or crock pot until the desired temperature.

How to freeze? If possible, we recommend freezing the chili before you add the sour cream and cheese. To do this, place it in a freezer-safe gallon bag in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in a pot and then add the additional ingredients at the end.

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For more chili recipes:

White Chicken Chili Recipe (12)

White Chicken Chili Recipe (13)

5 from 157 votes

White Chicken Chili Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna

White Chicken Chili is hearty, creamy, and has become a new favorite!! Best of all, it's ready in 30 minutes or less!

Servings: 8

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 25 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 3-4 (15.5-ounce) cans Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
  • 1-2 (4-ounce) cans diced green chiles
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • dash of pepper
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend cheese
  • 1 cup sour cream

Instructions

  • In a large pot, combine broth, beans, chicken, green chiles, cumin, garlic powder, oregano and pepper over medium-low heat.

  • Simmer for 20–30 minutes, or until soup is heated through.

  • Right before serving, add cheese and sour cream and stir until cheese is melted and ingredients are mixed.

Video

Notes

Slow Cooker Directions: Combine all ingredients except cheese and sour cream in the slow cooker and cook on low for 1–2 hours. Add cheese and sour cream and cook for an additional 30–60 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Stir together and serve warm.

Store. Chicken Chili shouldn’t be left out on the counter for more than 2 hours.You can store the chili in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Reheat. Reheat in the microwave, stove top, or crock pot until the desired temperature.

Freeze.If possible, we recommend freezing the chili before you add the sour cream and cheese. To do this, place it in a freezer-safe gallon bag in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in a pot and then add the additional ingredients at the end.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 214kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 65mg, Sodium: 941mg, Potassium: 169mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 404IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 251mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Making this recipe? Tag us!

Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

Categorized as: American Recipes, Chicken, Cuisines, Fall, Main Dishes, Recipes, Seasonal Recipes, Soups, Winter

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

More About Kristyn

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White Chicken Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you thicken white chicken chili? ›

How to Thicken Chili
  1. Simmer down. ...
  2. Stir in some finely ground cornmeal or masa harina. ...
  3. Mix in a scoop of cornstarch, all-purpose flour, or oats. ...
  4. Pile on the vegetables. ...
  5. Try more tomato paste. ...
  6. Mash some beans. ...
  7. Crumble up some corn chips.
Oct 28, 2023

What is the difference between chili and white chili? ›

White chili is a chili insofar as it contains meat and has a chili pepper base, but it is the one chili that typically includes shredded poultry, either chicken or turkey.

How long is white chicken chili good for in the fridge? ›

Storing & freezing tips

To store: this white chicken chili will stay good in your fridge for about 5 days. Once your chili is completely cooled, just place it in an airtight container (or multiple, if you'd like to meal prep it) without the additional toppings and place it in the fridge.

What is the origin of white chili? ›

White chicken chili, also known as white chili or chicken chili, is a hearty soup consisting of white beans, chiles, spices, and chicken. While there is no concrete history of the creation of this soup, many believe it to have originated in the Southwest region of the United States during the 1970s to 1980s.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Chili should be thick and hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but sometimes there's just a bit more liquid than you want in the pot. While you can simply keep simmering the chili, that method risks overcooking softer ingredients like the beans, losing all your nice texture to mushy monotony.

How do you thicken white chicken chili without cornstarch? ›

Usually, 1 to 2 tablespoons of cornmeal are all you will need to get a nice, thick texture. Let the chili simmer for an additional 10 minutes or so, stirring frequently until you've reached your desired thickness.

Why is white chicken chili considered chili? ›

It has no tomatoes and instead uses white beans and green chiles to get its color and flavor. I think the key to this being considered chili is getting the ratio of broth to beans and meat just right so that it is a bit heartier than a regular soup.

Why do you put white vinegar in chili? ›

Stirred into the pot right before serving, a spoonful of vinegar brightens up the finished product, and gives it that full, rounded taste that was missing. Even if the chili recipe you're using doesn't call for vinegar, go ahead and add it anyway. You won't actually taste the tang or sharp flavor of the vinegar.

Which pepper is better for chili? ›

Smoky chile peppers add tremendous flavor to chilis. These peppers usually have a bold flavor even without the smoke, so use these to get a little assertive with your seasoning.

Can you eat 8 day old chili? ›

According to the FDA Food Code, all perishable foods that are opened or prepared should be thrown out after 7 days, maximum. No leftovers should survive in your fridge for longer than that.

What kind of wine goes with white chicken chili? ›

White Bean Chili and Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay

This combination lends itself well to the minerality of many Sauvignon Blancs. Additionally, white bean chilis with white meat poultry tend to have a creamier texture that matches well with a buttery Chardonnay.

Can I eat chicken 5 days after use by? ›

If you consume leftover chicken that has been refrigerated for more than 4 days, there is a risk of foodborne illness, including symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and fever. The onset of symptoms can vary from a few hours to a few days after eating contaminated food.

Why is it called Ghost chilli? ›

World Records for the World's hottest pepper from 2007 to 2010. It is also called Bhut Jolokia. The word 'bhut' which means ghost, given from the Bhutia people, most likely because the heat sneaks up on you like a ghost. The ghost pepper is also known by names such as Naga Jolokia, Bih Jolokia, or ghost chile.

What state is known for chili? ›

Call it Texas red, traditional red, or bowl of red, but don't even think about adding beans if you want to cook chili like a true Texan. Historians generally consider San Antonio, Texas, chili's birthplace but can only speculate about how exactly the stew-like dish developed.

What makes Texas chili different? ›

What primarily distinguishes Texas chili from other chili recipes you might find is a lack of beans, but it also doesn't feature any tomatoes. It is, largely, a ground beef dish that's seasoned with a spicy chili paste made of dried peppers.

What to do if my chili is too watery? ›

If your chili is too watery, there are a few steps you can take to thicken it: Simmer Longer: Continue cooking the chili uncovered over low heat to allow excess liquid to evaporate. Add Thickeners: Mix a small amount of cornstarch or flour with cold water and add it to the chili. Cook while stirring until it thickens.

How do you make soupy chili thicker? ›

Add cornstarch or all-purpose flour: Cornstarch and all-purpose flour are common thickening agents that you might already have on hand in your pantry. Adding flour directly into the chili will create lumps. Instead, make a slurry by mixing one tablespoon of cold water with one tablespoon of cornstarch.

What can I add to chili to make it more soupy? ›

Add more water or tomato sauce if it's too thick. Keeping the lid on can keep the steam in resulting in thinner chili. Also, if I cook chili in the crock pot it is usually thinner, as the lid collects the steam rather than it evaporating.

How do you thicken white sauce quickly? ›

Combine 2 tablespoons flour with every 1/4 cup cold water and whisk until smooth. Add the mixture to your sauce over medium heat, and continue to stir and cook until you've reached your desired consistency. Test with a spoon.

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