White Chicken Chili
This white chicken chili is a fall/winter favorite and a flavorful blend of tender chicken, white beans, sweet corn, green chiles, and more!
- Total time
- 45 min
- Active time
- 15 min
- Yield
- 6, 6 servings
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Equipment
- 4 required
Ingredients and Constraints
Ingredients
Ingredient watchpoints6 watchpoints
Short requirements and tradeoffs to check while gathering ingredients; detailed source notes stay expandable.
Onion
1 onion (diced)
The source row includes a form, size, temperature, preparation, or handling detail.
Details and source
Source: WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
Bell Pepper
1 bell pepper (diced)
The source row includes a form, size, temperature, preparation, or handling detail.
Details and source
Source: WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
Jalapeño Pepper
1 jalapeno pepper (seeds removed and finely diced)
The source row includes a form, size, temperature, preparation, or handling detail.
Details and source
Source: WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
Garlic
4 garlic cloves (minced)
The source row includes a form, size, temperature, preparation, or handling detail.
Details and source
Source: WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
White Beans
2 (15-ounce) cans white beans (drained and rinsed)
The source row includes a form, size, temperature, preparation, or handling detail.
Details and source
Source: WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
Cilantro
¼ cup chopped cilantro
The source row includes a form, size, temperature, preparation, or handling detail.
Details and source
Source: WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
Additional ingredient notes
WHITE CHICKEN CHILI INGREDIENTS
Chicken: You’ll need a good amount of shredded chicken for this recipe.
You can cook chicken at home in a variety of ways (see ideas below) or to save time, use store-bought rotisserie chicken and shred that. White Beans: I’m using canned white beans (Great Northern Beans to be exact), but you can soak and cook dried beans if that’s what you prefer. Corn: Sweet corn adds a subtle sweetness and extra chunkiness to the overall texture. Green Chiles & Jalapeño: A small can of diced green chiles and one jalapeño pepper adds a serious depth of flavor without being overly spicy. Chicken Broth: Use a good-quality chicken broth to add lots of flavor to the soupy base. I linked my favorite brand in the recipe card below! Dried Spices: A simple blend of cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper brings out those classic chili aromas. Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
LISA’S TIPS: Heat level
This chili is flavorful, but not overly spicy.
If you’d like a little bit more heat, feel free to add ¼ – ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
LISA’S TIPS: Bean choices
Use your preferred white beans, they all work great!
Cannellini Beans: These are similar to Great Northern, but are a bit more dense and larger. Great Northern Beans: These creamy-colored beans are light, hold their shape well, and are naturally nutty in flavor. Navy Beans: Navy beans are on the smaller side with a mild flavor and creamy texture. Swap out the beans with chickpeas instead!
Can you make this an extra creamy white chicken chili?
If you’re not dairy-free, just add 4 ounces of cream cheese or sour cream.
You could also add half a can of coconut milk while it’s simmering on the stove.
How do you make this with dry beans?
While I love canned beans for simplicity, If you’ve got a bag of dried white beans on hand, just pre-cook them before adding them to the pot.
You’ll need about 3 ½ cups of cooked beans.
Required setup
Equipment
large pot
This large pot is one of my favorites!
I use this spoon so that I don't scratch my enameled pot.
My favorite tool for quick blending with texture.
Before You Cook
Constraints, controls, and warnings to review before starting.
Decisions before cookingDetails1
Reviewed comparisons and tradeoffs that affect the path before the first active step.
DIFFERENT WAYS TO MAKE SHREDDED CHICKEN
There are several ways to make the shredded chicken for this chili.
You can cook the chicken yourself or use a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Here are a few options: Baked Chicken: This is my go-to recipe for oven-baked boneless skinless chicken breasts with the perfect seasoning. Roast Chicken: This super easy, oven-roasted whole chicken is most similar to a store-bought rotisserie chicken. There’s just three ingredients! Shredded Chicken: This easy stovetop method for cooking chicken breasts with my shredding hack is the best! Slow Cooker Whole Chicken: If you have a slow cooker, this whole chicken becomes super tender and easy to pull apart into pieces. Poached Chicken: This healthy approach cooks chicken breasts in water and only takes about 15 minutes on the stovetop. Store-Bought Rotisserie Chicken: And if you’re on a time crunch, just pick up a rotisserie chicken at the store and pull it apart into small pieces.
Method Overview
Structured method notes that are separate from the step timeline.
HOW TO MAKE WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
Make the creamy base.
Blend one cup of white beans and one cup of chicken broth in a food processor, then set aside. This will help to thicken the base of the broth without having to add lots of cream.
Source video
Source video
Method Timeline
Prep
ActivePrep
15 min
Prep time from the source recipe card.
Cook
ActiveCook
30 min
Cook time from the source recipe card.
Total
PassiveTotal
45 min
Total time from the source recipe card.
Step 1
Blend the white bean mixture. Blend one cup of the white beans with one cup of the chicken broth in food processor. Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender or even mash the beans with a fork, and then stir them with the broth. Set this aside.
Image detailsBlendDownshiftology · WHITE CHICKEN CHILIDev reference Inputs and tools3
Uses
- 4 cups shredded chicken (see tips above)
- 2 (15-ounce) cans white beans (drained and rinsed)
- 4 cups chicken broth
Step 2
Cook the vegetables. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno pepper to the pot. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring frequently.
medium heatPot
Image detailsCookDownshiftology · WHITE CHICKEN CHILIDev reference Checks1
TimingInfoTimingfor 4 minutes
Target: 4 minute
Expected state: Cook for 4 minutes, stirring frequently.
Inputs and tools5
Uses
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion (diced)
- 1 bell pepper (diced)
- 1 jalapeno pepper (seeds removed and finely diced)
Equipment
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
- Source: WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
Step 3
Add the aromatics. Add the garlic and spices and stir for another minute, toasting the spices.
Image detailsCookDownshiftology · WHITE CHICKEN CHILIDev reference Inputs and tools1
Uses
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
Step 4
Simmer. Add the chicken broth and pureed bean mixture and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
Image detailsSimmerDownshiftology · WHITE CHICKEN CHILIDev reference Checks1
TimingInfoTimingfor 15 minutes
Target: 15 minute
Expected state: Add the chicken broth and pureed bean mixture and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
- Source: WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
Step 5
Stir in the rest. Stir in the green chilies, chicken, corn, white beans, and chopped cilantro. Simmer for a couple of minutes, until it's warmed through. Then add the lime juice and give it another stir.
Image detailsAdd and SimmerDownshiftology · WHITE CHICKEN CHILIDev reference Visual cue
until it's warmed through.
Checks2
Visual cueInfoVisualuntil it's warmed through.
Expected state: until it's warmed through.
HoldingMain recipeSource holding instruction
Stir in the rest. Stir in the green chilies, chicken, corn, white beans, and chopped cilantro. Simmer for a couple of minutes, until it's warmed through. Then add the lime juice and give it another stir.
Inputs and tools3
Uses
- 1 cup frozen or fresh corn
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
- Source: WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
Step 6
Garnish with your favorite toppings such as avocado, jalapeno, cilantro, and cheese before serving.
Image detailsServeDownshiftology · WHITE CHICKEN CHILIDev reference Checks1
ServiceMain recipeSource service instruction
Garnish with your favorite toppings such as avocado, jalapeno, cilantro, and cheese before serving.
Inputs and tools1
Uses
- avocado, jalapeno, cilantro, and cheese (for garnishing)
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
- Source: WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
Handling and Storage
Reviewed hold, storage, make-ahead, and service-timing guidance.
STORAGE TIPS
To store for the week: Let the chili slightly cool before storing it in an airtight container.
It will keep for 4 to 5 days in the fridge. To freeze for later: Use a storage container or freezer-safe tray (like this Souper Cubes tray) and store for up to 3 months in the freezer. How to reheat: First, thaw the chili overnight in the fridge. Then reheat on the stovetop or add one serving to a bowl and microwave for about 2 minutes. If you forgot to thaw, that’s okay, this is fine going straight into the microwave from frozen as well. Just cook until it’s warmed through.
Learn More
Extra cooking notes, tests, and source details kept out of the step-by-step method.
Why this works
Quick kitchen reasons behind the main choices.
MY FAVORITE WHITE CHICKEN CHILI—HERE’S WHY
When the weather turns chilly and I start to crave cozy, warming meals, this white chicken chili is a recipe I make on repeat.
The white beans make it heartier than my chicken soup, yet it’s lighter and more brothy than my classic beef chili, turkey chili, and vegetarian chili. So I guess you could say it’s a cross between soup and chili!
Article photos
Photos used with the article notes.
Source: WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
Recipe structure
Components and intermediate outputs created by the method.
Main recipe
Recipe card ingredients and steps.
6, 6 servings
Garnish
Source step 6 creates or uses garnish.
Mixture
Source step 1 creates or uses mixture.
Recipe Utilities
Account actions, source details, export, and reporting stay available without interrupting the cooking flow.
Source and Origin
Origin declaration
Adapted from source
Imported from the downshiftology page for dev review.
Copy risk: Unchecked
WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
Article
View source
My Kitchen Actions
Login is required.
My Kitchen keeps saved recipes, private notes, adaptations, cooking logs, imports, and exports tied to your account.
Export
Public recipe exports include only approved public content. Personal backup exports require login.
Export history
No exports yet.