This white chicken chili is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for cooler weather. It's a delightful twist on traditional chili, featuring shredded chicken, great northern beans, and a creamy base that will warm you up from the inside out. The combination of spices and green chilies adds a flavorful kick, making it a favorite for family dinners or gatherings.
While most ingredients for this white chicken chili are common pantry staples, you might need to pick up a few items at the supermarket. Great northern beans and diced green chilies might not be in everyone's kitchen, so be sure to check the canned goods aisle. Additionally, sour cream is essential for the creamy texture, so don't forget to grab a tub if you don't have any on hand.

Ingredients for White Chicken Chili Recipe
Chicken breast: Cooked and shredded, this is the main protein in the dish.
Great northern beans: These beans add a creamy texture and are a great source of fiber.
Corn: Adds a touch of sweetness and texture to the chili.
Chicken broth: Provides a flavorful base for the chili.
Sour cream: Adds creaminess and a slight tang to the dish.
Ground cumin: Adds a warm, earthy flavor.
Garlic powder: Enhances the overall flavor with a hint of garlic.
Onion powder: Adds a subtle onion flavor without the need for chopping onions.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the chili.
Black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the flavor.
Oregano: Adds a herbaceous note to the chili.
Diced green chilies: Adds a mild heat and a burst of flavor.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To enhance the flavor of your white chicken chili, consider roasting the corn and green chilies before adding them to the pot. This will bring out a smoky, caramelized taste that adds depth to the dish. Simply spread the corn and green chilies on a baking sheet, drizzle with a bit of olive oil, and roast in a preheated oven at 400°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until they start to brown. Then proceed with the recipe as directed.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Chicken breast - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable replacement.
Great northern beans - Substitute with cannellini beans: Cannellini beans have a similar creamy texture and mild flavor.
Corn - Substitute with frozen corn: Frozen corn retains its sweetness and texture, making it a good alternative.
Chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth provides a similar savory base for the chili.
Sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt offers a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture.
Ground cumin - Substitute with ground coriander: Ground coriander has a slightly different but complementary flavor profile.
Garlic powder - Substitute with fresh garlic: Fresh garlic provides a more robust and aromatic flavor.
Onion powder - Substitute with fresh onion: Fresh onion adds a stronger and more distinct flavor.
Salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty and umami flavor.
Black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and is less visually noticeable.
Oregano - Substitute with thyme: Thyme has a similar earthy and slightly minty flavor.
Diced green chilies - Substitute with jalapeños: Jalapeños provide a similar level of heat and flavor.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the white chicken chili to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation and keeps the chili fresh.
- Transfer the cooled chili into airtight containers. For easy portioning, consider using individual serving-sized containers.
- Label the containers with the date and contents. This helps you keep track of how long the chili has been stored.
- Store the containers in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the chili within 3-4 days. The airtight seal will help maintain the flavors and prevent the chili from absorbing other odors in the fridge.
- For longer storage, place the containers in the freezer. The white chicken chili can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing its quality.
- When ready to enjoy, thaw the chili in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing process helps maintain the texture and flavor.
- Reheat the chili on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it’s heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave, stirring every minute to ensure even heating.
- If the chili appears too thick after reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
- Garnish with your favorite toppings like cheese, cilantro, or avocado just before serving to add a fresh touch to your reheated meal.
How to Reheat Leftovers
For the stovetop method:
- Place the leftover white chicken chili in a saucepan or pot.
- Add a splash of chicken broth or water to maintain its creamy consistency.
- Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired temperature.
- Once heated, serve hot and garnish with your favorite toppings like cheese, cilantro, or avocado.
For the microwave method:
- Transfer the white chicken chili to a microwave-safe bowl.
- Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent.
- Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, then stir.
- Continue heating in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until thoroughly heated.
- Carefully remove from the microwave and enjoy with your favorite toppings.
For the oven method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the white chicken chili in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the chili is heated through.
- Remove from the oven, stir well, and serve hot with your preferred garnishes.
For the slow cooker method:
- Transfer the leftover white chicken chili to your slow cooker.
- Set the slow cooker to low heat.
- Heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the chili is warmed through.
- Serve directly from the slow cooker, topped with your favorite ingredients.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large pot: Used to combine and cook the main ingredients of the chili.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the ingredients to ensure they are well mixed.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring the spices and seasonings.
Measuring cup: Used to measure the chicken broth and sour cream.
Can opener: Essential for opening the cans of beans, corn, and green chilies.
Knife: Useful for shredding the cooked chicken breast if it hasn't been pre-shredded.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for shredding the chicken.
Ladle: Perfect for serving the chili into bowls.
Serving bowls: Used to serve the finished chili.
Tongs: Helpful for handling the cooked chicken breast before shredding.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Use rotisserie chicken: Save time by using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead of cooking and shredding chicken breast.
Pre-measure spices: Measure out all spices ahead of time and store them in a small container for quick addition.
Canned ingredients: Opt for canned beans and corn to eliminate soaking and boiling time.
One-pot cooking: Use a single large pot to combine all ingredients, reducing cleanup time.
Quick simmer: Simmer for the minimum time required to blend flavors, around 20 minutes, to save time.

White Chicken Chili Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken breast, cooked and shredded
- 2 cans Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can Corn, drained
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 cup Sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 1 can Diced green chilies
Instructions
- 1. In a large pot, combine the chicken, beans, corn, chicken broth, and green chilies.
- 2. Add the cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and oregano. Stir well.
- 3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
- 4. Remove from heat and stir in the sour cream until well combined.
- 5. Serve hot, garnished with your favorite toppings like cheese, cilantro, or avocado.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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