With just a few ingredients, this quick white chicken chili recipe aims for a velvety texture and rich taste. Our plan? With the back of a spoon, smash some of the beans against the soup pot. Add ground chicken, hot spices, and canned green chiles for more flavor.
You can make this dish with any kind of canned white bean or a mix of them, but Great Northern or navy beans have the best taste. Cannellini beans, which are also called white kidney beans, have harder bodies that don’t break down as quickly in soup. We use ground dark meat in this dish because it has more taste than white meat and is easier to work with (and usually cheaper) than a rotisserie chicken or other cooked and shredded chicken parts.
Without a bunch of toppings, a bowl of chili isn’t full. But for this dish, we think it would be better without the grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese and tortilla chips and instead add a dollop of sour cream, a few corn chips (Fritos are our favorite), a squeeze of lime juice, and some chopped fresh cilantro. Still, we wouldn’t say no if you wanted to make things even better by putting the chili on top of a piece of fried cornbread.
Ingredients
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 lb. ground chicken, preferably dark meat
1½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1 tsp. Morton kosher salt, plus more
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
½ tsp. ground coriander Freshly ground pepper
2 4-oz. cans diced green chiles
2 15.5-oz. cans white beans, rinsed
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Preparation
Step 1
In a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot, melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter and 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. 1 medium finely chopped onion and 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves cook, stirring periodically, until onion is cooked, 4-6 minutes. 1 pound of chicken, preferably dark meat, 12 teaspoon Diamond Crystal or Morton kosher salt, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 12 teaspoon ground coriander; season with freshly ground pepper. Cook, tossing often and breaking up the chicken with a wooden spoon, for 3-4 minutes, or until mixed and the chicken is no longer pink. Cook, stirring frequently and continuing to break up the chicken, until the chicken is cooked through, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 2
Bring to a boil two 15.5-oz. cans drained white beans and three cups low-sodium chicken broth. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring periodically and crushing some of the beans with a spoon, for 8-10 minutes, or until flavors blend and chili is somewhat thickened. If necessary, season with additional salt and pepper.
Step 3
Divide chili among bowls and top with sliced avocado, sour cream, cilantro leaves, sliced jalapeños, and corn chips.
FAQ
What is White Chicken Chili?
With just a few ingredients, this quick white chicken chili recipe aims for a velvety texture and rich taste. Our plan? With the back of a spoon, smash some of the beans against the soup pot. Add ground chicken, hot spices, and canned green chiles for more flavor.
How do I make White Chicken Chili?
To make White Chicken Chili, you will need ingredients such as chicken breast, white beans (such as cannellini beans), chicken broth, onions, garlic, green chilies, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or cilantro. The chicken is typically cooked and shredded, then combined with the other ingredients in a pot and simmered until the flavors meld together.
Can I use canned beans for White Chicken Chili?
Yes, you can use canned white beans for convenience in making White Chicken Chili. Rinse and drain the canned beans before adding them to the chili. Alternatively, you can also use dried beans if you prefer. Just make sure to soak and cook them according to the package instructions before adding them to the chili.
How can I adjust the spiciness of White Chicken Chili?
The spiciness of White Chicken Chili can be adjusted to suit your taste preferences. If you prefer a milder chili, reduce or omit the amount of green chilies or use mild green chilies instead of spicy ones. On the other hand, if you enjoy spicier flavors, you can add additional diced jalapenos or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
