Print

White Chicken Chili Recipe

4.5 from 126 reviews

This White Chicken Chili is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for chilly days. Made with tender chicken, great northern beans, diced green chilies, and a blend of spices, this chili balances creamy and spicy elements beautifully. Enhanced with sour cream for extra richness and lime juice for a fresh kick, it’s a nutritious and satisfying meal that’s simple to prepare on the stovetop.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped (about ½ cup)
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced (or 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder)
  • 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 4 oz cans diced green chilies
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 small lime, juice from
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Main Ingredients

  • 2 15 oz cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)

Instructions

  1. Heat the Olive Oil: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, warm the olive oil until shimmering, preparing to sautée the aromatics.
  2. Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the chopped yellow onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes. This builds the flavorful base of the chili.
  3. Add Spices and Chilies: Stir in the ground cumin, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, and paprika, letting the spices toast slightly for 1 minute to release their aromas. Then add the diced green chilies and cook for another 2 minutes to meld flavors.
  4. Add Broth and Beans: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and add the drained great northern beans. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
  5. Simmer the Chili: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, reduce the heat, and let it simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the chili to thicken slightly.
  6. Season and Finish: Add the lime juice, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir in the sour cream or Greek yogurt, mixing well to create a creamy texture without curdling. Heat through but do not boil after adding the sour cream.
  7. Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the chili into bowls and serve hot. Optionally, garnish with extra lime wedges, chopped cilantro, or shredded cheese for additional flavor.

Notes

  • Using low-sodium chicken broth helps control the salt content but adjust seasoning to your taste.
  • You can substitute sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a tangier, healthier option.
  • Adjust cayenne pepper according to your preferred spice level.
  • Great northern beans can be replaced with cannellini or navy beans if desired.
  • Leftover chili keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days and freezes beautifully.

Keywords: white chicken chili, creamy chicken chili, great northern beans chili, stovetop chili recipe, easy chicken chili