White Bean Chicken Chili
In short: A lighter, creamy-textured chili of chicken thighs, white beans, green chiles and corn, spiced with cumin and finished with lime. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 295 kcal
White chicken chili swaps the tomatoes and red meat of the usual chili for chicken, white beans and green chiles, which gives a milder, lighter pot with a fresher flavor. Cumin, oregano and a jalapeño add warmth, and mashing part of the beans thickens the broth without any cream. The chicken simmers in the pot and is shredded before serving. Lime, cilantro and avocado on top finish it, and leftovers reheat well.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion, bell pepper and jalapeño for 7 minutes, stirring, until soft. Add the garlic, cumin, oregano, coriander and cayenne and cook for 1 minute.
- Mash one can of the beans roughly with a fork. Add the mashed beans, green chiles, stock, chicken and salt to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (74°C / 165°F) and tender.
- Lift the chicken onto a board and shred it with two forks.
- Return the chicken to the pot and add the remaining whole beans and the corn. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, until the chili has thickened slightly.
- Stir in the lime juice and black pepper and taste for salt. Serve hot, topped with cilantro, avocado and a lime wedge.
Tips
- Mashing part of the beans gives the chili a creamy body without dairy. For an even richer pot, stir in 120 ml (1/2 cup) of cream or sour cream at the end, though this is no longer dairy-free.
- Short on time? Use 3 cups of shredded cooked chicken, add it with the second can of beans, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Questions and answers
Is white chicken chili spicy?
It is mild to medium. The jalapeño and cayenne control the heat, so use one jalapeño and skip the cayenne for a milder pot, or leave some jalapeño seeds in or add a second pepper for more kick.
Can I make white chicken chili in a slow cooker?
Yes. Soften the onion, pepper and spices first, then cook everything except the corn and lime on low for 6 to 7 hours. Shred the chicken, then add the corn and lime juice.
How does white chicken chili differ from regular chili?
It uses chicken, white beans and green chiles instead of beef, kidney beans and tomatoes. The broth is lighter and paler, and the flavor is milder and fresher.
How long does it take to make White Bean Chicken Chili?
About 55 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in White Bean Chicken Chili?
About 295 kcal per serving, with 24 g of protein, 25 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 295 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 24 g |
| Carbohydrates | 25 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 8 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
