This easy white chicken chili recipe is the perfect cool weather weeknight dinner: It’s warm, flavorful, hearty, and on the table in under an hour.
How to Make White Chicken Chili
You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:
White Chicken Chili Ingredients
These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this top-rated white chicken chili:
- Oil: This recipe starts with olive oil heated in a Dutch oven.
- Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breast halves are perfect for this easy white chicken chili recipe.
- Onion and garlic: Cooking an onion and garlic with the chicken adds tons of flavor from the start.
- Broth: Use store-bought or homemade chicken broth.
- Beans: You’ll need three, drained and rinsed, cans of cannellini beans.
- Green chiles: Turn up the heat with two cans of chopped green chiles.
- Seasonings: Season the white chicken chili with dried oregano, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, fresh cilantro, and salt.
- Cheese: Top the white chicken chili with shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
How Do You Make White Chicken Chili?
Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this easy white chicken chili recipe:
- Cook chicken, onion, and garlic in hot oil until chicken is browned on both sides.
- Cut the chicken into pieces, then return it to the Dutch oven.
- Add broth, beans, chiles, oregano, cumin, and cayenne pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the chicken is cooked through.
- Divide cilantro among the bowls, ladle chili over cilantro, and top with cheese.
From the Editor
Wondering how to thicken white chicken chili? When cooked as directed, this recipe should be perfectly thick and creamy. If you’d like to thicken it up even more, though, try one of these methods:
- Use a cornstarch slurry: Mix together equal parts cornstarch and cold water, then stir it into the chili.
- Simmer the chili longer: The longer you simmer the chili, the thicker it will be. Keep simmering until the desired consistency is reached.
- Add more beans: Mash another can of cannellini beans with a potato masher, then stir it into the chili.
What to Serve With White Chicken Chili
Explore our collection of Side Dishes for Chili for delicious serving inspiration. Here are some of the mouth watering ideas you’ll find:
How to Store White Chicken Chili
Store your leftover white chicken chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Can You Freeze White Chicken Chili?
Yes. Since this white chicken chili isn’t made with dairy (except for the cheese topping), it freezes well for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove.
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
“Delicious,” says David Fox. “We made homemade corn tortilla chips to go with it. Yum!”
“This recipe is quick and very tasty,” raves sarahp. “I like that I usually have all the ingredients on hand (with the exception of cilantro). It tasted even better the next day!”
“It's simple and tasty,” according to Julie Dykes. “Easy to make for a group and is a crowd-pleaser. You can add a dollop of sour cream to it at the table if you like it creamy.”
Editorial contributions by Corey Williams
