Name: White Chicken Chili
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 small onion (, diced); 2 cloves garlic (, minced); 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 4 ounce can of diced green chiles; 1 1/2 cups chopped cooked rotisserie chicken; 15 ounces cannellini beans (, rinsed and drained); 2 ounces light cream cheese (, cut into small cubes); 2 teaspoons lime juice; 1/2 cup freshly shredded Monterrey Jack cheese (, for serving); 1 diced scallion (, for serving); 2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro (, for serving); 1/2 ripe avocado (, sliced, for serving); crushed tortilla chips (, for serving, optional)

Made with rotisserie chicken, cannellini beans, a can of chiles, and perfectly seasoned, this White Chicken Chili is a warm and cozy dish for an easy weeknight dinner.

We like to enjoy this with some crusty dutch oven bread for mopping up all the goodness in the bowl. And you can’t go wrong with churros or tres leches cake for dessert!

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Easy White Bean Chicken Chili

I’ve made so many versions of chili over the years (who hasn’t, right?), but I always come back to my preferred easy chili recipe and also this white chicken chili recipe – it has a different flavor and is a little creamier than traditional chili.

White bean chicken chili is easy and full of protein, just like a classic chili, but made with chicken instead of beef. It has a few other swaps that set it apart, too. Still packed with protein and crazy delicious. Definitely, the thing you want a big bowl of on a chilly night.

What Is White Chili?

White chili is a type of chili that is made with white beans and has a creamy texture. Unlike traditional chili, white chili is made with heavy cream and/or cream cheese instead of a tomato base. The beans used are most often cannellini beans and you’ll usually see chicken (or pork) added in place of the typical ground beef.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s what you need for this easy white chicken chili recipe.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

Onion and Garlic – For great aromatics and flavor.
Olive oil – Used to sauté the onion and garlic.
Seasonings – This white chili is seasoned with salt, pepper, cumin, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes.
Chicken broth – We opt for low-sodium broth so the dish isn’t overly salty.
Green chiles – Adds a bit of warmth and spice to the broth.
Rotisserie chicken – Chop up a combination of thigh and breast meat for terrific flavor.
Cannellini beans – Drain and rinse first.
Cream cheese – Light cream cheese helps provide that creamy base with a subtle tangy flavor.
Lime juice – Adds a splash of citrus to cut the heaviness of other flavors.
For serving – Monterey Jack cheese, scallions, fresh cilantro, avocado slices, and crushed tortilla chips make great toppings.

Recipe Variations

Here are a few variations to make this white chicken chili recipe your own.

No rotisserie chicken? Instead of buying a rotisserie chicken, you can chop up baked chicken breast.
Swap out the chicken with turkey. You can easily use leftover turkey for this recipe as well.
Watch the spice level. Some green chiles have a bit of heat to them and some have a lot. Use whichever you prefer, just remember to check – especially if you don’t like spice.
What kind of beans should I use? I use cannellini beans in my chili. However, navy beans, great northern beans, and butter beans will also work.
Add some other mix-ins. Corn often makes an appearance in white chili, as do slices of jalapenos.

Overhead view of a bowl of white chicken chili

How to Make White Chicken Chili

It’s so easy to make this white chili recipe. Here’s a brief summary:
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

Saute the onions. Saute the onion until softened then add the garlic. Stir in all of the seasonings.
Add the remaining ingredients. Bring the broth and chiles to a gentle simmer. Stir in the chicken, beans, cream cheese, and lime juice. Simmer until the cream cheese melts.
Serve. Top with Montery Jack cheese, scallions, cilantro, avocado, and crushed tortilla chips as desired.

How to Thicken White Chicken Chili

How do you make white chili thicker? Reserve 1/2 cup of the beans and mash in a bowl, and then stir into the chili. 2 ounces of cubed cream cheese added in the last 10 minutes of cooking will also thicken the chili slightly.

Angled view of a bowl of white chicken chili

What to Serve with White Chicken Chili

A bowl of white bean chicken chili is best when served with a handful of toppings for extra flavor and texture. Here are a few of my favorite white chili toppings:

Cheese (Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Mexican blend are all great options)
Diced scallions
Chopped cilantro
Avocado slices
Crumbled tortilla chips

This chili makes a great meal on its own but you can’t go wrong pairing it with a side salad. And, of course, a slice of dutch oven bread is always a welcome addition to any chili so you can mop up the goodies at the bottom of the bowl.

Overhead view of 2 bowls of white chicken chili

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

How to store leftovers. Without the cheese and garnishes, white chicken chili will last in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Can you freeze white chicken chili? Yes, white chili freezes extremely well. Just prepare and allow to cool. Do not add any garnishes and transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge.

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