Best White Chicken Chili Recipe | Fed & Fit (2024)

This creamy white chicken chili is made in the Crockpot for the perfect deliciously easy meal on a cold night!

Best White Chicken Chili Recipe | Fed & Fit (1)

Table of Contents

  • This recipe is…
  • Creamy White Chicken Chili Ingredients
  • How to Make Easy White Chicken Chili
  • Recipe Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Favorite Soup and Chili Recipes
  • White Chicken Chili Recipe Recipe

This recipe is…

GFGluten FreeLCLow Carb

I love chili, whether it’s a classic Texas chili, green chili, or even this pumpkin turkey chili, I love ALL of the varieties! This white chicken chili is one I find myself making over and over again in the winter though. And even though it’s called chili, I’d say it has a more stew or chowder-like consistency. It is easy to make, has just a hint of spice from the diced green chiles, a bit of sweetness from the corn, a smoky hint of bacon, and a creamy broth thanks to sour cream. Even better, it is perfect for piling high with toppings to make it your own! This recipe has been a fan favorite from our book, Cook Once, Eat All Week, so we’ve adapted it here!

Creamy White Chicken Chili Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this chili:

  1. Boneless, Skinless Chicken – you’ll need about 1 1/2 pounds of chicken for this recipe, we recommend using boneless/skinless so it is easy to shred later!
  2. Chicken Broth– you’ll need 5 cups of chicken broth for this recipe, either store-bought or homemade will work!
  3. Diced Green Chilis – you can typically find these canned chilis in the Mexican food section of your local store. If you can’t find any green chilis, a diced poblano pepper or jalapeno will work in its place.
  4. Bacon – you won’t find bacon in most white chicken chili recipes, but we find that a few slices lend a delicious smoky, salty flavor to the chili!
  5. Onion and Garlic – fresh onion and garlic give this chili great flavor, but if you want to save even more time, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of onion and garlic powder instead.
  6. Corn – 1 cup of frozen corn lends just a bit of sweetness to the chili that makes it taste so good!
  7. White beans – white beans have a great creamy consistency that fits perfectly with this white chicken chili.
  8. Sour cream – sour cream is what makes this chili creamy, and it adds a great tangy flavor.
  9. Lime juice – the juice of a lime brightens up the soup and adds another layer of flavor.
  10. Spices– This chili is simply seasoned with salt, pepper, and a bit of oregano and cumin.
  11. Garnishes– you can garnish this with as few or as many things as you’d like! A few of our favorites are extra lime wedges, sour cream, avocado, and fresh cilantro. You could also add cheese, sliced jalapenos, hot sauce, or tortilla strips.
Best White Chicken Chili Recipe | Fed & Fit (2)

How to Make Easy White Chicken Chili

This white chicken chili really is simple to make, just follow the steps below:

  1. Cook + Crumble the Bacon – cook the bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once crisp, remove from the pot and set aside, then drain all but one tablespoon of drippings from the pan.
  2. Saute the Onion + Garlic – still working over medium-high heat, add the onion and garlic and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, until the onion is translucent.
  3. Add the Green Chilis + Seasonings – add the green chilis and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant, then add the seasonings and stir to combine, then remove from heat.
  4. Add the Chicken, Green Chili Mixture, Chicken Broth, Beans, and Corn to the Slow Cooker – place the chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker, then spread the green chili and onion mixture over top. Pour in the chicken broth and add in the beans and corn.
  5. Set it and Forget it – cook the chili on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, until the chicken pulls apart easily.
  6. Shred the Chicken + Stir in the Sour Cream, Lime Juice, and Bacon – remove the chicken from the pot and shred it with two forks, then return it to the pot, and stir in the sour cream, lime juice, and bacon.
  7. Garnish + Serve – garnish each serving with avocado slices, cilantro, sour cream, and a lime wedge, and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

Keep a tablespoon of bacon drippings – don’t forget to leave a tablespoon of the bacon grease in the pot to saute your onion and garlic in. This adds so much really delicious flavor!

Combine the lime juice + sour cream first – if you find that you have an issue with dairy (sour cream specifically) curdling when you add it to hot soups and chilis, try whisking it with the lime juice until smooth and then adding it to the chili!

Use the garnishes – topping this chili with avocado, sour cream, and lime juice is half of the fun! Feel free to use any other garnish that you think would be delicious here too.

Best White Chicken Chili Recipe | Fed & Fit (3)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of chicken breast?

Yes! Using pre-cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken makes making this white chicken chili even easier!

How do I make my chicken chili thicker?

Your chicken chili should be *just* thick enough if you’ve followed the recipe to a T, but if you’re looking for an even thicker chili, feel free to omit a bit of the chicken broth.

Is white chili real chili?

We think so! While it isn’t a “red” chili that’s made with beef, it’s definitely still a variation of chili. Because it is made with green chiles, we consider it chili!

Can white chicken chili be frozen?

Yes, this easy white chicken chili freezes beautifully! Just portion it out into one of ourfavorite meal prep containers, label it, and freeze for up to 5 months. To reheat, you can either put it in a covered pot over medium heat for about 10 minutes or microwave for 4-5 minutes on high, stirring halfway through.

White Chicken Chili Recipe

4.45 — Votes 25 votes

By Cassy Joy Garcia

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 35 minutes mins

Total: 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Best White Chicken Chili Recipe | Fed & Fit (8)

SavePinPrint

This easy white chicken chili can be made on the stovetop, Instant Pot, or Crockpot. With simple ingredients, it is a creamy, delicious one-pot meal!

Ingredients

  • 4 slices bacon
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 4-ounce can diced hot or mild green chilis, drained (depending on preference)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 5 cups chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs*
  • 1 15-ounce can white beans, rinsed and drained*
  • 1 cup frozen yellow corn*
  • ½ cup sour cream*
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 avocado sliced, for garnish
  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro for garnish
  • 4 lime wedges from ½ lime, for garnish
  • Additional sour cream for garnish

Instructions

Stovetop:

  • Cook the bacon in a large pot with matching lid over medium-high heat. Once crisp, remove from the pot and set aside, then drain all but one tablespoon of drippings from the pot.

  • Still working over medium-high heat, add the onion and garlic and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, until the onion is translucent.

  • Add the green chilis and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant, then add the seasonings and stir to combine.

  • Pour in the chicken broth and add in the chicken, beans, and corn. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, over medium heat, until the chicken shreds easily with a fork.

  • Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it with two forks, then return it to the pot and turn off the heat and stir in the sour cream, lime juice, and bacon.

  • Garnish each serving with avocado slices, cilantro, sour cream, and a lime wedge and enjoy!

Instant Pot:

  • Set your Instant Pot to saute mode and cook the bacon in it. Once crisp, remove from the pot and set aside, then drain all but one tablespoon of drippings from the pot.

  • Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, until the onion is translucent.

  • Add the green chilis and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant, then add the seasonings and stir to combine. Pour in the chicken broth and add in the chicken, beans, and corn.

  • Using the manual setting, place the lid on pot, making sure the valve is sealed, then set it to cook for 15 minutes. Once the 15 minutes is up, let the pot naturally release pressure for at least 10 minutes before turning the valve to “venting” to manually release the remaining pressure.

  • Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it with two forks, then return it to the pot and stir in the sour cream, lime juice, and bacon.

  • Garnish each serving with avocado slices, cilantro, sour cream, and a lime wedge and enjoy!

Slow Cooker:

  • Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once crisp, remove from the pot and set aside, then drain all but one tablespoon of drippings from the pan.

  • Still working over medium-high heat, add the onion and garlic and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, until the onion is translucent.

  • Add the green chilis and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant, then add the seasonings and stir to combine, then remove from heat.

  • Place the chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker, then spread the green chili and onion mixture over top. Pour in the chicken broth and add in the beans and corn.

  • Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, until the chicken pulls apart easily.

  • Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it with two forks, then return it to the pot and and stir in the sour cream, lime juice, and bacon.

  • Garnish each serving with avocado slices, cilantro, sour cream, and a lime wedge and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

  • If using rotisserie chicken: Use 4 cups of shredded chicken and simmer for 10 minutes on the stove, cook for 5 minutes in the Instant Pot, and the same amount of time in the slow cooker.
  • To make this recipe dairy-free:replace the sour cream with an equal amount of coconut cream from the top of a can of full-fat coconut milk and 1 additional tablespoon of lime juice.
  • To make this recipe Paleo/Whole30:Follow the dairy-free substitution and omit the beans and corn. You can either replace them with 2 1/2 cups of chopped veggies (zucchini, carrots, kale, or sweet potato would be great options), or simply reduce the broth by 1 cup.

Nutrition

Calories: 663kcal | Carbohydrates: 40.7g | Protein: 56.5g | Fat: 31.1g | Saturated Fat: 10.5g | Cholesterol: 168.9mg | Sodium: 1963.2mg | Fiber: 9.5g | Sugar: 5.8g

Additional Info

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 663

Keyword: creamy, crock pot, easy, gluten free, instant pot, paleo, slow cooker, stovetop

Best White Chicken Chili Recipe | Fed & Fit (9)

Like this recipe?

Leave a comment

Chicken Recipes Chili Dinner Food Gluten Free Instant Pot Recipes Low Carb One-Pot Meals Slow Cooker Recipes Stovetop

About the Author

Amber Goulden

Read More About Me

More Like This

Pasta

Easy Cheesy Taco Pasta

25 mins

Lunch Bowls

Harissa Honey Chicken Bowls

1 hr 10 mins

Chicken Recipes

Chicken Vesuvio Recipe

1 hr 35 mins

Party Appetizers

Pulled Pork Sliders

1 hr 20 mins

Best White Chicken Chili Recipe | Fed & Fit (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between chili and white chili? ›

Regular chili has a rich base of red chilies (or chili powder) and sometimes tomato, while white chili calls for green chilies. We use canned Hatch green chilies, white beans, and tender shredded chicken to make our white chili recipe. It tastes quite different from red chili but is just as delicious!

How do you thicken white chicken chili without cornstarch? ›

Add oats: If you don't have any leftover vegetables or beans, use quick oats to thicken your chili. Adding oats to your chili is also a healthy alternative to cornstarch and all-purpose flour.

What can I use to thicken my white chicken chili? ›

The good news is there are lots of easy ways to thicken up your chili with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry— flour, cornmeal, pureed beans, cornstarch, or even crushed tortilla chips will help do the job, along with some good old extra simmering time.

Why is white chicken chili considered chili? ›

It has no tomatoes and instead uses white beans and green chiles to get its color and flavor. I think the key to this being considered chili is getting the ratio of broth to beans and meat just right so that it is a bit heartier than a regular soup.

Why do you put white vinegar in chili? ›

Stirred into the pot right before serving, a spoonful of vinegar brightens up the finished product, and gives it that full, rounded taste that was missing. Even if the chili recipe you're using doesn't call for vinegar, go ahead and add it anyway. You won't actually taste the tang or sharp flavor of the vinegar.

How many calories are in 2 cups of white chicken chili? ›

My recommended serving size is ~2 cups, which provides 360 calories, 38 grams of carbohydrates, 9 grams of fiber, 9 grams of fat, and 33 g protein. That amount also supplies 740 milligrams of sodium, 10% of the daily value for calcium, 15% of the daily value for iron and 15% of the daily value for potassium.

Is chilli chicken good for diet? ›

It May Lessen the risk of heart attacks - Chicken is a rich source of vitamins B5 and B6, which decreases the possibility of heart attacks. In addition, spicy Chicken is better as chili peppers that contain Curcumin reduce the effects of bad cholesterol and lessen the risk of heart attacks.

How many carbs are in a cup of white chicken chili? ›

Whitey's White Chicken Chili With Beans (1 cup) contains 17g total carbs, 12g net carbs, 5g fat, 13g protein, and 170 calories.

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.

How do you make chili more flavorful? ›

Elevate with Extra Flavor

Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.

Does tomato paste make chili thicker? ›

Not only will tomato paste add a tangy flavor to the dish, but it will also act as a thickening agent. For this purpose, you can use homemade or store-bought tomato paste. Add 1 can of the paste to your pot of chili, stir the mixture, and let it cook on medium heat for about 30 minutes.

How do you thicken white turkey chili? ›

You can make a slurry of cornstarch and water, add it to boiling chili, and it'll thicken up.

How do you make chili less thin? ›

Use All-Purpose Flour or Cornstarch

"Transfer some warm liquid [from the chili] to a separate bowl. Whisk in the flour or cornstarch, then slowly stir it back in the pot," advises Wofford. Bring the mixture back to a boil, which will "activate" the ingredient, instantly thickening the dish.

Is chili supposed to be thick or thin? ›

Nobody wants a thin chili because, honestly, then it's really just soup! 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.

Why is my chicken getting thin? ›

If your chicken is looking a little thin, first rule out any possible causes of weight loss. Check that their digestive systems are working fine, by checking their faeces for changes in consistency. Take a faecal egg count sample and send it off to be tested to ensure that there are no worms within the flock.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 5926

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.