Creamy White Chicken Chili (Printable version)

Rich and creamy chicken with white beans and a blend of Southwestern spices for easy dinners.

# Ingredient List:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
05 - 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced

→ Beans & Broth

07 - 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, drained and rinsed
08 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Dairy

09 - 2/3 cup heavy cream
10 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 1 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
14 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
15 - 1/4 tsp ground coriander
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnishes (optional)

17 - Chopped fresh cilantro
18 - Sliced green onions
19 - Shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
20 - Lime wedges

# How-To Steps:

01 - Season the chicken breasts with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chicken and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until lightly golden but not fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
03 - In the same pot, add diced onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeño. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook an additional minute.
04 - Add diced green chilies, ground cumin, dried oregano, chili powder, smoked paprika, and ground coriander. Stir to evenly coat vegetables with spices.
05 - Add drained white beans and pour in low-sodium chicken broth. Return the seared chicken to the pot.
06 - Bring mixture to a gentle boil then reduce heat. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and flavors meld.
07 - Remove chicken from the pot and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the chili.
08 - Stir in cream cheese until melted, then add heavy cream. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture is creamy and thoroughly heated. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
09 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, shredded cheese, and lime wedges as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Hearty and satisfying, making it ideal for cold weather meals
  • Quick and easy with minimal prep and mostly hands-off cooking
02 -
  • For a thicker chili, mash some beans against the side of the pot before adding cream cheese
  • Substitute rotisserie chicken for a quicker version (add at step 7)
03 -
  • For extra heat, add more jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne
  • Pair with cornbread or tortilla chips for a complete meal
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