Cozy White Chicken Chili Recipe for Chilly Evenings

Savory white chicken chili reinvents ordinary weeknight meals into a comforting culinary adventure that delights taste buds and warms hungry souls.

Hearty bowls brimming with tender meat, creamy broth, and perfectly balanced spices create an irresistible dining experience that feels both familiar and exciting.

Packed with protein and subtle southwestern influences, this dish brings together unexpected flavor combinations that dance across your palate.

Robust ingredients blend seamlessly, offering a lighter alternative to traditional red chili while maintaining deep, satisfying complexity.

Creamy textures and nuanced seasonings elevate this recipe from simple meal to memorable dining moment.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly these ingredients come together, making dinner preparation both effortless and impressive.

Rich, nourishing, and adaptable to personal preferences, white chicken chili promises a delightful dining experience that leaves you craving another spoonful.

What Makes White Chicken Chili So Satisfying

• Elevate Roasted Pepper Flavor: The careful roasting and steaming of Anaheim or poblano peppers creates a deep, smoky flavor profile that transforms ordinary chili into an extraordinary culinary experience.
• Creamy Texture Magic: Pureeing a portion of the chili and stirring in sour cream produces a luxuriously thick and creamy consistency that makes each spoonful incredibly satisfying and comforting.
• Customize Your Comfort: The recipe offers incredible flexibility with optional cheese toppings, adjustable heat levels through spices like cayenne, and the ability to use different types of peppers, making it perfect for personalized meal enjoyment.

Ingredients for White Chicken Chili Comfort

• Chicken: Lean protein that adds heartiness and texture to the chili, best when using cooked and shredded meat.

• Anaheim Pepper, Poblano Pepper: Fresh peppers with mild heat that provide smoky depth and rich flavor, choose firm and vibrant peppers.
• Onion: Aromatic base that adds sweetness and depth to the dish.
• Garlic: Provides intense flavor and distinctive aroma to the chili.

• Cumin, Chili Powder, Marjoram, Cayenne Pepper: Spice blend that creates complex and warm flavor profile, adjust cayenne for desired heat level.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall taste.

• Chicken Broth: Provides moisture and rich background flavor for the chili.
• Sour Cream: Adds creamy texture and tangy richness to balance spices.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing aromatics and creating smooth base.

• Beans: Adds protein and texture, providing hearty substance to the chili.
• Corn: Sweet element that complements the savory flavors.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that adds bright, citrusy notes and garnish appeal.

• Monterey Jack Cheese, Pepper Jack Cheese: Melty cheese that adds extra richness and optional spice.

Cooking Instructions for Creamy White Chicken Chili

Step 1: Roast The Peppers

Crank up the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread out Anaheim or poblano peppers with breathing room between them. Roast for 8-10 minutes, flip using tongs, then roast another 8-10 minutes until skins look beautifully blistered.

Step 2: Steam And Prepare Peppers

Cover roasted peppers with a large bowl for 30 minutes. Once steamed, remove stems, peel off skins, and dice the peppers. Set aside these flavor-packed gems.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Base

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Marjoram
• Cayenne pepper

Stir constantly for one minute until the kitchen fills with an irresistible fragrance.

Step 4: Build The Chili Foundation

• Beans
• Corn
• Cooked chicken
• Diced roasted peppers

Let everything mingle and simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 5: Create Creamy Texture

Scoop out 2-3 cups of chili and blend until smooth using an immersion or stand blender. Return pureed mixture to the pot, stirring gently. Heat for additional 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Final Flavor Boost

• Sour cream
• Chopped cilantro

Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper.

Step 7: Serve With Flair

• Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• Reserved cilantro

Serve piping hot and savor every spoonful!

Handy Tips for White Chicken Chili Lovers

• Maximize Pepper Flavor: Roasting peppers intensifies their smoky taste and makes skin removal easier, creating deeper flavor layers in the chili.
• Prevent Blender Splash: When pureeing hot chili, remove lid's center cap and cover with a towel to allow steam escape and prevent explosive splatters.
• Customize Heat Levels: Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to control spiciness; start with less and add incrementally to suit personal taste preferences.
• Enhance Protein Texture: Use shredded rotisserie chicken for convenient, tender meat that absorbs chili's seasonings perfectly without extra cooking time.
• Creamy Consistency Trick: Add sour cream off the heat to prevent curdling and maintain a smooth, rich texture in the final chili preparation.

Best Way to Save and Reheat Chicken Chili

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover white chicken chili to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the chili completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Freeze: Pour cooled chili into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label containers with the date for easy tracking.
• Reheat: Thaw frozen chili overnight in the refrigerator. Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of chicken broth if the chili seems too thick. Stir in fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream just before serving to refresh the flavors.

What to Pair with White Chicken Chili Bowls

• Craft a Zesty Beverage Companion: Pair this white chicken chili with a crisp, cold Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or Corona. The light, refreshing beer cuts through the chili's richness and complements its spicy undertones perfectly.
• Elevate with Creamy Sidekick: Serve alongside a cool, tangy avocado crema or fresh lime sour cream. These creamy accompaniments balance the chili's heat and add a luxurious texture that enhances each spoonful.
• Create a Crunch Factor: Plate with warm, crispy corn tortilla chips or jalapeño cornbread. The crunchy texture provides a delightful contrast to the smooth chili and adds an extra layer of corn-based flavor that ties the dish together.
• Design a Fresh Green Partner: Whip up a bright cilantro-lime salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette. This fresh side dish cuts through the chili's richness and adds a zesty, clean element to the meal.

Variations to Spice Up Your White Chicken Chili

• Veggie Lovers' White Chili: Swap chicken with extra firm tofu or a blend of hearty mushrooms like portobello and shiitake for a vegetarian protein-packed version that maintains the creamy texture and robust flavor profile.
• Green Chile Chicken Fusion: Increase roasted Hatch green chiles for an intense southwestern kick, adding diced poblano peppers and a splash of tequila to elevate the complexity and depth of the chili.
• Creamy Coconut Chicken Chili: Replace sour cream with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative that brings tropical undertones and silky richness to the classic white chili recipe.
• Smoky Mountain Style: Incorporate smoked paprika, add crumbled bacon bits, and use smoked chicken instead of regular chicken to create a deep, woodsy flavor that transforms the traditional white chili experience.

White Chicken Chili Recipe

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4.5 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting white chicken chili brings Mexican-inspired warmth to your dinner table with hearty beans, tender chicken, and creamy broth. Rich spices and smooth textures create a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 cups cooked, cubed, or shredded chicken breasts or chicken thighs

Vegetables and Peppers:

• 4 Anaheim peppers or poblano peppers
• 1 medium sweet onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15.25 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Beans, Broth, and Seasonings:

• 2 (15.8 ounce) cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon marjoram or oregano
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup sour cream
• Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• Monterey Jack cheese or Pepper Jack cheese (optional for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F and prepare a foil-lined baking sheet. Arrange Anaheim or poblano peppers with space between them, creating an even roasting environment.
2. Roast peppers for 8-10 minutes, carefully flip using tongs, then continue roasting until skins develop distinctive blisters and char marks.
3. Transfer roasted peppers to a cutting board and cover with an inverted bowl, allowing them to steam and soften for 30 minutes.
4. Peel away charred skin from peppers, remove stems, and dice the tender roasted peppers into uniform pieces.
5. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium temperature, sautéing chopped onions until they become translucent and fragrant.
6. Reduce heat and introduce minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, marjoram, and cayenne pepper, stirring constantly to release their aromatic qualities.
7. Pour chicken broth into the pot, then incorporate beans, corn, cooked chicken, and prepared roasted peppers, creating a rich flavor base.
8. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 10 minutes, melding the ingredients and developing deep, complex flavors.
9. Extract 2-3 cups of chili and puree using an immersion or stand blender, creating a creamy texture that enhances the overall consistency.
10. Return pureed mixture to the pot, stirring to integrate and heating for an additional 2-3 minutes.
11. Remove from heat and fold in sour cream and chopped cilantro, seasoning with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
12. Serve in individual bowls, garnishing with shredded Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese and reserved cilantro for a vibrant presentation.

Notes

• Roasting peppers intensifies their flavor and creates a smoky, deep taste that elevates the entire chili’s profile.
• Steaming peppers after roasting helps easily remove the tough skin, making preparation simpler and ensuring a smooth texture.
• Simmering allows the spices to bloom and blend, creating a rich, complex flavor that develops more depth over time.
• Pureeing a portion of the chili creates a thicker, creamier consistency while maintaining some chunky texture for authentic homestyle feel.
• Adding sour cream at the end provides a cool, tangy counterpoint to the spicy and warm chili, balancing the overall taste.
• Garnishing with fresh cilantro and cheese adds a burst of freshness and extra layer of richness to the final dish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg