Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (2024)

  • Chicken By Type
  • Comfort Food
  • White Beans
  • Chicken Thighs

White chicken chili is a hug in a bowl on a cold night.

By

Elise Bauer

Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (1)

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated January 14, 2024

Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (2)

16 ratings

In This Recipe

Our 17 Very Best Chili RecipesFEATURED IN:

Do you like white chili? If you are not familiar with it, it's sort of the calmer, nicer cousin of a Texas chili. No frantically looking for something to put out the flames from a beef and habanero fest. White chili is made with white beans, chicken (sometimes pork), and mild green chiles.

(That said, if you must, must have scorching heat in your chili, there are ways to do that while still keeping the chili white. Read through the comments for some ideas.)

Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (3)

Ingredients for White Chicken Chili

Personally, I love the flavors of mild Anaheim or hatch green chiles with chicken, white beans, and Monterey jack cheese. It's like a stew version of my favorite chicken burrito. Great with tortilla chips and your favorite taco toppings.

You can use either canned or dry beans. Dry beans will add a couple of hours of cooking time, but it's almost all hands off time and the flavor of the beans is terrific.

If you use canned beans, pick a good brand. I like Bush's cannellini beans. S&W has decent flavor too. Some of the organic, low salt canned beans brands are some of the most bland tasting beans ever sold. If you use those, you'll need to add more salt than you would expect.

Favorite Additions to This Chili

We've received some great suggestions from readers who have made this recipe over the years. Here are a few:

  • Top with avocado, sour cream, or both
  • Add corn kernels (especially good if grilled)
  • Add chopped green or red bell peppers
  • Add hominy for a posole-style chili
  • Use pre-cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for an even faster soup

Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (4)

What To Serve With White Chicken Chili

Top this hearty soup with cilantro, chopped fresh tomato, salsa, chopped scallions, and/or guacamole, and serve with a side of warm flour tortillas or tortilla chips.

Storing and Freezing White Chicken Chili

Like so many stews, this chili is even better the next day when the flavors have had more chance to meld. The chili will last several days in the fridge.

To freeze, cool the chili completed then transfer to freezer containers or bags. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop.

How To Make Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Using a slow cooker to make this chili allows you to put this together hours before you serve it and forget about it. To make this in the white chicken chili in a slow cooker, follow Steps 1 (if using dry beans) and 2, and then place the beans and sautéed, seasoned onions in a 6-quart slow cooker. Then add the chicken, stock and beans (if using canned beans). Cook on high for 2 to 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours.

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken ChiliREAD MORE:

How To Make Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

No adaptations needed — hop over to our recipe made just for your Instant Pot!

Instant Pot White Chicken ChiliREAD MORE:

The Best Chicken To Use for White Chicken Chili

Any boneless, skinless chicken meat will work, but we prefer thigh meat. Thigh meat has more flavor, is less likely to dry out, and doesn't get a stringy texture.

How To Store and Reheat This Chili

Refrigerator the chili, tightly covered, for 3 to 5 days. Reheat it by bringing to a boil on the stovetop over medium-high heat on the stovetop.

Freeze this chili — it freezes very well — for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Defrost in the refrigerator and reheat over medium-high heat on the stovetop until it boils.

How to Freeze Soup, Beans, and BrothREAD MORE:

More Great Chili Recipes!

  • Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
  • Easy Green Chicken Chili
  • Chili Con Carne
  • Best Beef Chili
  • Easy Vegetarian Chili

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

White Chicken Chili

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time45 mins

Dry bean cooking2 hrs

Total Time3 hrs 5 mins

Servings4to 5 servings

If you are starting with dry beans and want even more flavor, cook them in about 7cups of chicken stock, and then when done, use the stock that the beans haven't absorbed as a base for the chili. For more tips, see How to Cook Dried Beans.

Ingredients

  • 2 (15-ounce) cans white beans, drained OR 8 ounces dry white beans

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

  • 1medium onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)

  • 1clove garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon)

  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin

  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 2 (4-ounce) cans chopped green chilies

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

  • 1 jalapeño or serrano pepper, finely chopped, optional

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (can use breast meat, but thighs will work better), trimmed of excess fat and diced into 1/2- to 3/4-inch pieces

  • 3 cups chickenstock

  • 1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese, optional

If cooking dry beans:

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 1 clove garlic

  • 1 bay leaf

Method

  1. If using dry beans, cook them first:

    Place the beans in a medium pot and cover with a couple inches of hot water, about 2 quarts. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 chopped garlic clove, and one bay leaf. Heat on high to bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to very low to maintain a low simmer.

    Cook for 2 to 3 hours or until the beans are cooked through and tender (note that cannelli beans will cook faster than navy beans, and older dry beans will take longer to cook than newer). Drain.

    Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (5)

    Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (6)

  2. Sauté the onions with seasonings:

    In a large thick-bottomed pot, sauté onions in olive oil on medium high heat until tender, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, cloves, and cayenne and cook a minute more. Add the green chiles and dried oregano. Add the minced jalapeño or serrano chile if using.

    Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (7)

    Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (8)

  3. Add the chicken and stock, simmer:

    Add the chicken and chicken stock. Increase the heat to high, bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, cover and maintain the simmer for 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.

    Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (9)

  4. Add the cooked beans:

    Add the drained cooked beans and cook for 15 minutes more. Taste for seasonings and add more salt to taste. Depending on how salty your chicken stock and beans are, you may need to add a teaspoon or more.

    Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (10)

  5. Serve with toppings and tortillas or chips:

    Serve topped with grated cheese. Garnish with cilantro, chopped fresh tomato, salsa, chopped scallions, and/or guacamole. Serve with fresh warmed flour tortillas or tortilla chips.

    Did you enjoy this recipe? Let us know with a rating and review!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
442Calories
19g Fat
20g Carbs
50g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4to 5
Amount per serving
Calories442
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19g25%
Saturated Fat 5g27%
Cholesterol 226mg75%
Sodium 1432mg62%
Total Carbohydrate 20g7%
Dietary Fiber 5g17%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 50g
Vitamin C 81mg405%
Calcium 129mg10%
Iron 6mg34%
Potassium 983mg21%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (2024)

FAQs

How can I make my white chicken chili less spicy? ›

You can also stir in dairy like yogurt, sour cream, milk (only if the dish isn't sour, or it will curdle), buttermilk, or kefir into a dish; the capsaicin will bind with the milk proteins instead of the nerve receptors in your mouth.

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

How long can you keep white chicken chili 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.

Is Chilli chicken good for you? ›

Spicy Chicken helps in breaking down the fats in foods. The spices also boost heart health. Hence, it might be said that it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases like type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

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.

What can I add to chili to make it better? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

How much cornstarch to thicken white chicken chili? ›

Make a cornstarch slurry: Mix together 1 tablespoon each of cornstarch and cold water, stirring well to remove any lumps. Then, stir the slurry into your chili and let it simmer for another 10 minutes to fully thicken.

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 you eat chicken chili left out overnight? ›

Remember, perishable foods like homemade chili should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours, as this can encourage bacteria growth and potentially lead to food poisoning symptoms such as stomach cramps.

Can you cook chili the night before? ›

I agree with HO above too - chili is always good reheated, so you could cook it the day before then reheat. Honestly, if you are going to start a day ahead, make the chili itself the day ahead. Then let it cool and hang out in the fridge overnight.

Is it OK to eat chilli everyday? ›

Eating too much red chili, which makes our food hot and spicy, can cause heartburn or digestive problems. It doesn't stop there; it can also cause serious health problems.”

Can I eat chilli chicken everyday? ›

Variety: Consuming the same dish every day may lead to dietary monotony, causing you to miss out on other essential nutrients from different foods. Nutritional Balance: It's crucial to ensure your chicken chili is well-balanced, with a mix of vegetables and spices. Avoid excessive use of oil, salt, or unhealthy a.

Is chilli good for blood pressure? ›

The researchers say that laboratory research has shown that blood vessels relax when exposed to capsaicin. However, other studies in humans and rodents have had contrasting results, with some finding it raised arterial blood pressure while others found it lowered blood pressure.

How do you take the heat out of white chili? ›

You can also top your chili with a healthy dose of your favorite cheese. This will help tame the heat a bit too. For white chili, jack or pepper jack cheese would be a good fit.

How do you reduce pepper in white soup? ›

Sour cream, yogurt, ghee, butter and milk can all neutralize the pepper flavor, depending on the dish. Mix in a small amount of a dairy and see if you taste a difference. Cream or milk helps balance out broth-heavy dishes, as well as a variety of other recipes.

How do you tone down spicy jerk chicken? ›

  1. Orange or pineapple or guava or mango juice.
  2. A nice ripe and diced fresh mango with its juice (or some similar alternative)
  3. Sweet red pepper jam.
  4. may need to add some or increase acidity in the form of apple cider vinegar.
Feb 7, 2023

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