The best white chicken chili recipe out there is one that you can trust. You can’t go wrong with this hearty dish, which is loaded with protein and fiber to keep you feeling satisfied for hours. It’s also super easy to make and you probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen already!
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What is White Chicken Chili?
White chicken chili is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. This chili is made with white beans, chicken, and a variety of spices, and it is sure to warm you up from the inside out. Serve this chili with some crusty bread or cornbread, and you have a meal that will satisfy even the heartiest of appetites.
Everybody likes a warm chili, but have you ever tasted a white chicken chili?
I see I’ve got your attention now. This white chicken chili with cream cheese or Neufchatel cheese is simply delicious! It’s warm, wholesome, and creamy with just a splash of tanginess from the lime juice and a lot of spice from the green chilies.
Neufchatel cheese is a mold-ripened soft cheese from the Normandy region in France. It’s full of flavor and texture but don’t hesitate to substitute it with some light cream cheese if you’re unable to source it. The result will be just as tasty and delicious.
This soup can be made with leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken from the supermarket if you’re not in the mood to make the chicken in advance. If you are, you can always cook the chicken at home in some boiling water, just remember to save the leftover chicken broth, as this would make the perfect chicken stock for this recipe.
You can also try making this cream cheese chicken chili in your instant pot. Just add the sautéed onion and garlic plus all other ingredients and allow to simmer for 30 minutes.
This white chicken chili recipe with cream cheese is inspired by the more traditional ‘chili con Carne however this time around we’ve switched the meat with chicken and added some creamy ingredients to add an extra twist. It’s still hot and spicy but with a more delicate flavor.
Serve this chicken chili with cream cheese along with some avocado slices or tortilla chips. It will make for one delicious chicken chili cream cheese soup!
Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
This is the best white chicken chili recipe that I have ever tried. It is so creamy and delicious, and it is perfect for a cold winter day. This chili is made with cream cheese, chicken, and white beans, and it is absolutely amazing. I highly recommend this chili to anyone who loves cream cheese or chicken.
What is the difference between white chili and regular chili?
The main difference between white chili and regular chili is the type of beans used. White chili typically uses white beans, while regular chili typically uses red kidney beans. Other than that, the ingredients and methods for making both types of chili are pretty similar. So if you’re looking for a change from your usual chili recipe, give white chili a try!
Tips for making the best White Chicken Chili Recipe:
1. Use shredded chicken instead of diced chicken for a more uniform texture.
2. Soak the beans overnight before cooking to speed up the cooking process and make them more digestible. (for this recipe I used cannellini beans).
3. Use a combination of different chili peppers to get the perfect balance of heat and flavor.
4. Add some fresh cilantro to the chili for a bright, fresh flavor.
5. Let the chili simmer for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Yields/Serves: 2-4 servings
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients for the Best White Chicken Chili:
- 1 small diced yellow onion
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 finely minced garlic cloves
- 2 (14.5 oz-415g) cans of low sodium chicken broth
- 1 (7oz-200g) can dice green chilies
- 1 ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 1 (8oz-225g) pack of Neufchatel cheese*
- 1 ¼ cup fresh or frozen corn
- 2 (15oz-425g) cans of cannellini beans
- 2 ½ cups shredded chicken**
- Lime or lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for serving
- Garnish ideas: tortilla chips, avocado, Monterrey jack cheese (all optional)
Notes:
*If you’re unable to find Neufchatel cheese, try some light cream cheese instead or check some cream cheese options below “What kind of cream cheese for chicken chili?”.
**Use precooked chicken or cooked chicken, rotisserie, or leftover chicken if you happen to have some.
How to Prepare This Amazing White Chicken Chili Recipe?
STEP 1: Heat a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and onion and sauté for 4 minutes until the onion is tender and transparent. Add the minced garlic and continue to sauté for an additional minute.
STEP 2: Add the chicken broth, green chilies, cumin, paprika, oregano, coriander, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper, and stir. Bring to a boil.
STEP 3: Once boiling, cover with a lid and lower the heat to allow the soup to simmer for 15 minutes.
STEP 4: Drain and rinse one can of beans and add to a food processor along with ¼ cup broth from the soup. Purée until smooth and set aside.
STEP 5: Drain and rinse the other can of beans.
STEP 6: Add the whole beans, pureed beans, Neufchatel cheese, and corn to the soup and stir until well combined. Cover with a lid and allow to simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
STEP 7: Lastly, stir in the chicken and cilantro and splash with some lemon or lime juice.
STEP 8: Serve warm and garnish with cilantro leaves, avocado slices, tortilla chips, or Monterrey jack cheese. Enjoy.
White Chicken Chili Recipe FAQs
Where to Serve White Chicken Chili?
There are a few different ways that you can serve white chicken chili. You can either make it as a main dish or as a side dish. If you’re making it as a main dish, you can serve it with some rice or tortillas on the side. If you’re making it as a side dish, you can serve it with some grilled chicken or fish. Either way, it’s sure to be a hit! After you’ve simmered the chili and added the final ingredients, let it sit for a bit so the flavors can meld. Then ladle into bowls and enjoy! If you want, you can garnish with some shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions. But really, this chili is so good it doesn’t need anything else. So dig in and enjoy!
What kind of cheese for chicken chili?
There are many different types of cheese that can be used in chicken chili, and it really depends on your personal preference. Some people like to use shredded cheddar cheese, while others prefer Monterey Jack or even cream cheese. If you’re looking for a bit of a cheesy flavor, you could try using Parmesan cheese. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what kind of cheese you want to use in your chili.
Can I put cream cheese in chili?
Some people like to add cream cheese to their chili, while others find it too rich. If you want to try it, add a small amount of cream cheese to your chili and see how you like it. You can always add more if you find that it’s not enough.
How do I thicken white chicken chili?
If you find that your white chicken chili is too thin, there are a few things you can do to thicken it up. One option is to add some cornstarch to the chili. Simply mix together a few tablespoons of cornstarch with an equal amount of water and stir it into the chili. Another option is to add some cooked rice or quinoa. This will help to absorb some of the liquid and make the chili thicker. Finally, you can add some canned beans or diced potatoes. These will also help to thicken the chili and make it more filling.
Can you freeze white chicken chili?
Yes, you can freeze white chicken chili. To do so, place the chili in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw the chili in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it on the stove.
How do you defrost frozen chicken chili?
There are a few different ways that you can defrost your frozen chicken chili. You can either let it thaw in the fridge overnight, or you can place the chili in a bowl of warm water for about an hour. If you’re in a hurry, you can also microwave the chili for a few minutes until it’s thawed out. Once the chili is thawed, you can then heat it up on the stove until it’s hot and ready to serve.
Can I Make White Chicken Chili in a Crockpot?
Yes, you can make white chicken chili in a crockpot. This recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner because it’s easy to prepare and cook. All you need to do is add all the ingredients to the crockpot and let it do its thing. This recipe is also great for meal prep because you can make a big batch and freeze it for future meals.
Can I Make White Chicken Chili in an Instant Pot?
Yes, you can make white chicken chili in an Instant Pot. This recipe is a great way to get a hearty, flavorful meal on the table with minimal effort. The Instant Pot helps to cook the chicken and beans evenly and quickly, while the spices and seasonings give the chili its flavor.
Can I use my leftover Shredded Chicken?
If you have leftover shredded chicken, you can absolutely use it in this white chicken chili recipe! Just add it in when you would normally add the cooked chicken.
Check out the printable recipe below and let me know what you think about this White Chicken Chili Recipe (comments below).
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White Chicken Chili With Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 small diced yellow onion
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 finely minced garlic cloves
- 2 14.5 oz-415g cans of low sodium chicken broth
- 1 7oz-200g can dice green chilies
- 1 ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 1 8oz-225g pack of Neufchatel cheese*
- 1 ¼ cup fresh or frozen corn
- 2 15oz-425g cans of cannellini beans
- 2 ½ cups shredded chicken**
- Lime or lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro plus more for serving
- Garnish ideas: tortilla chips avocado, Monterrey jack cheese (all optional)
Instructions
- STEP 1: Heat a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and onion and sauté for 4 minutes until the onion is tender and transparent. Add the minced garlic and continue to sauté for an additional minute.
- STEP 2: Add the chicken broth, green chilies, cumin, paprika, oregano, coriander, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper, and stir. Bring to a boil.
- STEP 3: Once boiling, cover with a lid and lower the heat to allow the soup to simmer for 15 minutes.
- STEP 4: Drain and rinse one can of beans and add to a food processor along with ¼ cup broth from the soup. Purée until smooth and set aside.
- STEP 5: Drain and rinse the other can of beans.
- STEP 6: Add the whole beans, pureed beans, Neufchatel cheese, and corn to the soup and stir until well combined. Cover with a lid and allow to simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
- STEP 7: Lastly, stir in the chicken and cilantro and splash with some lemon or lime juice.
- STEP 8: Serve warm and garnish with cilantro leaves, avocado slices, tortilla chips, or Monterrey jack cheese. Enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Conclusion:
If you’re looking for a delicious and easy white chicken chili recipe, look no further! This recipe is packed with flavor and perfect for a winter meal. Serve with some crusty bread and enjoy!
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