Description
Homemade white chicken chili delivers comfort and warmth with rich southwestern flavors. Hearty ingredients blend perfectly, creating a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cups (946 ml) chicken broth
- 2 cans (15 oz/425 g each) great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) corn, drained
- 2 cans (4 oz/113 g each) diced green chiles
- 1 block (8 oz/226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) sour cream
- 1 lime, juice
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Nestle chicken breasts into a spacious pot or slow cooker for even heat distribution.
- Layer in aromatic onions, pungent garlic, protein-rich Northern and cannellini beans, sweet corn kernels, and zesty green chiles.
- Cascade chicken broth over the ingredients, then sprinkle a medley of warming spices including cumin, chili powder, coriander, salt, black pepper, oregano, and optional cayenne for heat.
- Seal and simmer on low temperature for 6-8 hours (or 3-4 hours on high setting) until chicken becomes fork-tender and easily separates.
- Gently deconstruct chicken using two forks, shredding directly within the cooking vessel to absorb surrounding flavors.
- Incorporate velvety cream cheese, luxurious heavy cream, and tangy sour cream, stirring until the chili transforms into a silky, uniform consistency.
- Brighten the dish with freshly squeezed lime juice, creating a vibrant flavor profile.
- Ladle into warm bowls and crown with fragrant cilantro leaves for a restaurant-quality presentation.
Notes
- Enhance tenderness by using boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for richer flavor and more moisture.
- Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing cayenne pepper, making the chili milder or more intense according to personal preference.
- Make it dairy-free by substituting cream cheese with cashew cream and using coconut milk instead of heavy cream for a vegan-friendly version.
- Boost nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or zucchini during the last hour of cooking for additional texture and nutrients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 276 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg