If you enjoy hearty, warming meals, White Bean Chicken Chili is a dish you must try. It’s not only comforting and delicious, but it’s also packed with nutrients. This chili offers a perfect blend of flavors, while the creamy texture will have you savoring each bite. Whether it’s a chilly evening or you need a crowd-pleasing dinner, this recipe will soon become a staple in your culinary repertoire.
Why We Love This White Bean Chicken Chili Recipe
This White Bean Chicken Chili stands out for several reasons. Firstly, it’s incredibly simple to make, requiring minimal effort for maximum flavor. The combination of tender chicken, creamy beans, and aromatic spices creates a delightful taste that appeals to both adults and kids. Furthermore, it’s versatile—perfect for a cozy family dinner or a gathering with friends. You can easily scale up the recipe, enjoy it as leftovers, or freeze portions for future meals. What’s not to love?
Ingredients for White Bean Chicken Chili
To make this delightful dish, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ white onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp coriander
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp chili powder (optional)
- 1 can (15.5 oz) great Northern beans, drained
- 1 can (15.5 oz) cannellini beans, drained
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, not drained
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 2 oz cream cheese, cut into cubes
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed into bite-sized pieces
- Optional garnishes: cilantro, avocado, cheese, tortilla chips
How to Make White Bean Chicken Chili
Getting started with White Bean Chicken Chili is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you prepare this dish perfectly:
- Heat the oil: Begin by heating a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Sauté the onion: Once the oil is hot, add the chopped white onion. Stir it around, cooking until the onion becomes translucent, which should take about 3-5 minutes.
- Add garlic: Next, add the minced garlic to the pot. Cook it for another minute, allowing its aroma to fill the kitchen.
- Incorporate spices: Now, sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of cumin, ½ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of oregano, ½ teaspoon of coriander, ¼ teaspoon of paprika, and, if you like an extra kick, ¼ teaspoon of chili powder. Sauté the spice mixture for another minute until the spices become fragrant.
- Mix in the beans and corn: Add the drained great Northern beans and cannellini beans, the can of diced tomatoes (with their juices), 3 cups of chicken broth, and 1 cup of frozen corn. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Simmer the chili: Cover the pot and allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. This process usually takes about 10-15 minutes.
- Add the chicken: Once the chili is warm, stir in the 3 cups of cooked chicken. Cook until the chicken is heated through, which takes only a few minutes.
- Melt the cream cheese: Reduce the heat to low and incorporate the cream cheese cubes. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is completely melted and well blended into the broth, creating a rich and creamy texture.
- Final touches: Once everything is well incorporated and hot, remove the pot from the heat.
Follow these steps, and soon enough, you’ll have a pot filled with delicious White Bean Chicken Chili ready for serving!
How to Serve White Bean Chicken Chili
Serving your White Bean Chicken Chili is an exciting part of the experience. Here’s how you can present this delightful dish:
- In bowls: Ladle the chili into individual bowls, ensuring each serving has a good mix of beans, chicken, and broth.
- Garnish: Add your personal touch with toppings like fresh cilantro, diced avocado, shredded cheese, or a handful of crunchy tortilla chips for added texture. These toppings not only enhance the flavor but also make the dish visually appealing.
- Pairing with sides: Consider serving the chili with crusty bread, cornbread, or a simple green salad. These pairings complement the chili perfectly and create a complete meal.
- Make it a feast: If serving a larger group, set up a toppings bar where everyone can customize their chili just how they like it!
Enjoy!
Expert Tips: White Bean Chicken Chili
- Chicken options: For this recipe, you can use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken for convenience. If you’re starting from scratch, poach some chicken breasts or thighs for a fresh taste.
- Bean substitutions: While the recipe calls for great Northern and cannellini beans, feel free to substitute with other white beans, such as navy beans, if that’s what you have on hand.
- Adjust the heat: If you prefer a spicier chili, increase the amount of chili powder, or add diced jalapeños during the sautéing process for an extra kick.
- Create depth of flavor: Allow the chili to simmer longer on low heat for deeper flavors, as this will help the spices meld beautifully.
- Make it thicker: If you like a thicker chili, use an immersion blender to blend a small portion of the chili directly in the pot, then stir to combine.
Implementing these expert tips will take your White Bean Chicken Chili from good to great!
How to Store White Bean Chicken Chili
Storing your extra White Bean Chicken Chili is simple. Here’s how to keep it fresh:
- Refrigerate: Once your chili has cooled down to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container. You can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze for later: If you want to store it for a more extended period, portion the chili into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags, ensuring to leave space for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy your chili again, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
This makes mealtime easy and convenient when you have some of this delicious chili ready to go!
Variation of White Bean Chicken Chili
Exploring different variations can elevate your White Bean Chicken Chili experience:
- Vegetarian option: You can easily turn this into a vegetarian dish by omitting the chicken and adding more beans, lentils, or veggies like bell peppers or zucchini for extra nutrition.
- Add more veggies: Incorporate diced carrots, celery, or spinach into the sauté for added texture and nutrients, enriching the overall flavor.
- Creamy alternatives: If cream cheese isn’t available, you can use Greek yogurt or sour cream as an alternative to achieve a similar creaminess.
- Spicy twist: If you love heat, try adding diced green chilies or a splash of hot sauce to spice things up.
- Southwestern twist: Add corn tortillas cut into strips toward the end of cooking for a thicker, heartier chili packed with textures.
Experimenting with these variations will keep your White Bean Chicken Chili fresh and exciting, making it a dish you’ll want to return to time and time again.
FAQ
What is White Bean Chicken Chili?
White Bean Chicken Chili is a comforting and hearty dish made with tender chicken, creamy white beans, and a medley of spices. It’s perfect for warming up on a cold day.
How long does it take to make White Bean Chicken Chili?
This delicious meal can be prepared in approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on whether you start with cooked chicken.
Can I make White Bean Chicken Chili in an Instant Pot?
Absolutely! You can sauté the onion and garlic in your Instant Pot using the sauté function, then add the remaining ingredients and cook on high pressure for about 10 minutes.
Is White Bean Chicken Chili healthy?
Yes, this dish is packed with protein from the chicken and beans, along with fiber and nutrients from the vegetables, making it a healthy meal choice.
Enjoy every bite of your homemade White Bean Chicken Chili, knowing you’re serving a dish that is not only satisfying but also nutritious and easy to prepare!
White Bean Chicken Chili
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 0.5 cup white onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp oregano
- 0.5 tsp coriander
- 0.25 tsp paprika
- 0.25 tsp chili powder (optional) Add for extra heat
- 1 can (15.5 oz) great Northern beans, drained
- 1 can (15.5 oz) cannellini beans, drained
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, not drained
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 2 oz cream cheese, cut into cubes
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
Optional Garnishes
- to taste cilantro
- to taste avocado
- to taste cheese
- to taste tortilla chips
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chopped white onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Sprinkle in cumin, salt, oregano, coriander, paprika, and chili powder (if using). Sauté for another minute.
- Add drained great Northern beans, cannellini beans, diced tomatoes (with juices), chicken broth, and frozen corn. Stir to combine.
- Cover the pot and let the mixture come to a gentle simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Stir in cooked chicken and heat through for a few minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and add cream cheese, stirring until melted and well blended.
- Once hot and well-combined, remove from heat and prepare to serve.
Serving
- Ladle the chili into individual bowls.
- Garnish with cilantro, diced avocado, cheese, or tortilla chips.
- Consider serving with crusty bread, cornbread, or a simple green salad.
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