Description
Hearty white chili celebrates Mexican-inspired comfort with creamy white beans and zesty spices. Protein-packed and satisfying, this vegetarian dish delivers complex flavors you’ll savor to the last spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 (15 oz / 425 g) cans white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen or fresh corn
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (4 oz / 113 g) can diced green chilies
- 1 jalapeno, diced (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- Juice of 1 lime
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Sliced avocado
- Shredded cheese
- Tortilla chips or strips
- Extra lime wedges
Instructions
- Aromatic Foundation: Sauté onions, garlic, and jalapeños in olive oil until softened, creating a fragrant base for the chili.
- Spice Awakening: Introduce cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper, allowing them to bloom and intensify their flavors for maximum depth.
- Liquid Harmony: Combine white beans, green chilies, vegetable broth, and corn in the pot, gently simmering to merge ingredients and develop a rich, complex taste profile.
- Texture Transformation: Partially crush white beans against the pot’s side, releasing their creamy interior to naturally thicken the chili’s consistency and create a luxurious mouthfeel.
- Finishing Flourish: Swirl in sour cream or Greek yogurt, splash with lime juice, and garnish with fresh cilantro, creating a vibrant and balanced final presentation that tantalizes the palate.
Notes
- Spice Sensitivity: Adjust jalapeño and chili powder quantities based on personal heat tolerance, ensuring a balanced, enjoyable flavor without overwhelming spiciness.
- Bean Texture Trick: Partially mash beans against pot sides for creamy consistency, creating a luxurious thickness without additional thickeners or heavy cream.
- Protein Boost: Incorporate plant-based protein like quinoa, lentils, or textured vegetable protein to enhance nutritional value and make the chili more filling.
- Freezer-Friendly Hack: Prepare larger batches and freeze in portion-sized containers for quick, convenient meals, maintaining robust flavors up to 3 months when properly stored.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg