Description
Mexican-inspired creamy white chicken chili delivers comfort through rich, hearty flavors with tender shredded chicken and smooth, spicy broth. Generous portions and simple ingredients make this dish a perfect weeknight meal you’ll crave repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)
- 2 cans (400 g/14 oz) white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
- 4 cups (1 liter) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 115 g (4 oz) cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 can (300 g/10 oz) diced green chilies
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- fresh cilantro, chopped
- sliced jalapenos
- diced avocado
- crushed tortilla chips
- lime wedges
Instructions
- Sauté Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium flame, adding diced onions and cooking until softened and translucent.
- Aromatics Activation: Introduce minced garlic and spices, stirring to release their intense flavors and create a robust foundational layer.
- Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth into the aromatic mixture, creating a flavorful liquid base for the chili.
- Protein and Bean Incorporation: Gently fold shredded chicken and white beans into the spice-infused liquid, ensuring even distribution and flavor absorption.
- Creamy Transformation: Blend in cream cheese and green chiles, stirring continuously to develop a velvety, smooth texture that harmonizes all ingredients.
- Final Simmering: Reduce heat and allow the chili to simmer, concentrating flavors and achieving a thick, creamy consistency.
- Finishing Touch: Adjust seasonings to taste, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile, and serve hot with optional garnishes like fresh cilantro or a dollop of sour cream.
Notes
- Choose High-Quality Chicken: Select tender, fresh chicken breast or rotisserie chicken for maximum flavor and ease of shredding.
- Prevent Cream Cheese Clumping: Soften cream cheese at room temperature and cut into small cubes before adding to ensure smooth, even melting.
- Control Spice Intensity: Adjust green chile quantity based on personal heat preference – mild to medium chiles work best for balanced flavor.
- Optimize Thickness: Let chili simmer uncovered to naturally reduce and thicken, creating a rich, creamy consistency without additional thickeners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg