Creamy White Chicken Chili (Printable)
Comforting chicken dish with corn, beans, and a creamy, mildly spiced broth for family-style enjoyment.
# What You Need:
→ Poultry & Broth
01 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
06 - 1 (15-ounce) can sweet corn, drained or 1½ cups frozen corn
07 - 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
→ Beans & Cream
08 - 2 (15-ounce) cans white beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
10 - ½ cup heavy cream
11 - ½ cup sour cream
→ Spices & Seasonings
12 - 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - ½ teaspoon chili powder
16 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
17 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
→ Optional Garnishes
18 - Chopped fresh cilantro
19 - Sliced green onions
20 - Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
21 - Lime wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Place chicken breasts or thighs in a large pot and add chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until cooked through. Remove chicken and let cool slightly before shredding with two forks.
02 - In the same pot, add diced onion, minced garlic, and chopped jalapeño. Sauté over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables soften.
03 - Stir in diced green chiles, sweet corn, rinsed white beans, ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
04 - Return shredded chicken to the pot and add softened cream cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
05 - Pour in heavy cream and sour cream, stirring to combine thoroughly. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is creamy and heated through. Adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro, green onions, shredded cheese, and lime wedges, if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It comes together in under an hour, which means you can go from craving it to eating it on a weeknight.
- The cream cheese melts into the broth and makes it ridiculously silky without needing any special skills.
- It's naturally gluten-free and adaptable enough to feed picky eaters or spice lovers at the same table.
02 -
- Softened cream cheese is non-negotiable; cold cream cheese will clump up and ruin the silky texture you're after.
- Don't skip rinsing the beans or you'll end up with a gluey, starchy base instead of a clean broth.
- Taste constantly in the last few minutes because the spices mellow as it simmers and you might need more salt than you think.
03 -
- Brown the shredded chicken in a hot pan for two minutes before adding it back if you want a little color and deeper flavor—it's an extra step but worth it on nights when you want to feel fancy.
- Serve this alongside warm cornbread or tortilla chips, and let people scoop instead of spoon; it changes the whole experience and makes it feel less formal.