White Chicken Chili Recipe
Introduction
This White Chicken Chili is a comforting and flavorful twist on traditional chili, featuring tender chicken, white beans, and a hint of spice from jalapeños. It’s creamy, hearty, and perfect for cozy dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. neutral oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeded, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thirds
- 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 (4.5-oz.) cans green chiles
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 (15-oz.) cans white beans, drained, rinsed
- 1 1/2 cups frozen corn
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 avocado, thinly sliced, for serving
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
- 1/4 cup crushed tortilla chips, for serving
- 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack, for serving
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the chopped onion and jalapeño and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic, oregano, and cumin and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chicken pieces, chicken broth, and green chiles. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and shred it with two forks.
- Step 2: Add the white beans to the pot and bring back to a simmer. Use a wooden spoon to mash about one-quarter of the beans, which will help thicken the chili. Cook for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in the frozen corn and shredded chicken, cooking just until heated through, about 1 minute more. Remove the pot from heat and stir in the sour cream until combined.
- Step 3: Ladle the chili into bowls and top each serving with sliced avocado, chopped cilantro, crushed tortilla chips, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
Tips & Variations
- For a spicier chili, leave some seeds in the jalapeño or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker preparation.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute sour cream with plain coconut yogurt or omit altogether.
- Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice before serving to brighten the flavors.
Storage
Store any leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if needed to loosen the chili. This chili can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work great and add extra moisture and flavor. Just adjust the cooking time if needed until the meat is fully cooked and tender.
Is it possible to make this chili vegetarian?
Absolutely. Skip the chicken and increase the amount of beans and corn. You can also add chopped bell peppers or zucchini for more texture and flavor.
PrintWhite Chicken Chili Recipe
This White Chicken Chili is a comforting and flavorful twist on traditional chili. Made with tender shredded chicken, white beans, corn, and a blend of aromatic spices, it offers a creamy texture balanced with a mild kick from jalapeños and green chiles. Topped with avocado, fresh cilantro, crunchy tortilla chips, and melted Monterey Jack cheese, this hearty chili is perfect for a cozy meal any time of year.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup/Chili
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. neutral oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeded, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thirds
- 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 (4.5-oz.) cans green chiles
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 (15-oz.) cans white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 1/2 cups frozen corn
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Toppings
- 1 avocado, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup crushed tortilla chips
- 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables: In a large pot over medium heat, heat the neutral oil. Add the chopped onion and finely chopped jalapeño, cooking while stirring until softened, about 8 minutes. Then add the garlic, dried oregano, and ground cumin, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- Cook the chicken and simmer: Add the cut chicken breasts, low-sodium chicken broth, and green chiles to the pot. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook uncovered until the chicken is cooked through, approximately 10 to 12 minutes. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and shred it with two forks.
- Add beans and thicken: Stir the drained and rinsed white beans into the pot and bring to a simmer again. Using a wooden spoon, smash roughly one-quarter of the beans to release their starch and slightly thicken the chili. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine corn and chicken, finish chili: Add the frozen corn and the shredded chicken back into the pot. Stir well and cook until heated through, about 1 minute more. Remove the chili from heat and stir in the sour cream to add creaminess.
- Serve and garnish: Ladle the chili into bowls and top each serving with thinly sliced avocado, chopped fresh cilantro, crushed tortilla chips, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a spicier chili, leave the jalapeño seeds in or add extra jalapeños.
- You can use rotisserie chicken to save time if desired.
- To make it dairy-free, substitute sour cream with a plant-based alternative and omit cheese.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat well on the stovetop.
- This chili freezes well; freeze in portions and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Keywords: white chicken chili, easy chicken chili, white bean chili, comforting chili recipe, stovetop chili, healthy chicken chili

