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White Bean Chicken Chili Recipe

White Bean Chicken Chili Recipe


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4.5 from 12 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty white bean chicken chili brings southwestern comfort to your table with rich, spicy flavors and creamy texture. Packed with tender chicken, nutritious beans, and zesty seasonings, this one-pot wonder will become your new favorite winter meal.


Ingredients

Scale

Proteins:

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 cans (15 oz) white beans

Vegetables and Aromatics:

  • 1 large onion
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 2 green bell peppers
  • 2 jalapeño peppers

Seasonings and Liquids:

  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (for topping)
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (chopped, for garnish)
  • 1 lime (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Dice chicken breasts into uniform, bite-sized cubes, ensuring even cooking and tender texture.
  2. Finely chop onions, garlic, green bell peppers, and jalapeños, creating a vibrant aromatic base for the chili.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering and fragrant.
  4. Sauté chicken cubes until golden brown and slightly crisp, approximately 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Add chopped onions, garlic, and peppers to the pot, cooking until vegetables soften and become translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  6. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper over the mixture, stirring to coat ingredients evenly and release their aromatic oils.
  7. Pour chicken broth into the pot, scraping any browned bits from the bottom to enhance the flavor profile.
  8. Drain and rinse white beans, then gently fold them into the simmering chili, ensuring they’re well distributed.
  9. Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and allow the chili to simmer for 20-25 minutes, letting flavors meld and chicken become tender.
  10. Stir in heavy cream during the last 5 minutes of cooking, creating a rich and creamy consistency.
  11. Remove from heat and let the chili rest for 5 minutes to further thicken and develop deeper flavors.
  12. Ladle into serving bowls and top with a dollop of sour cream, freshly chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
  13. Serve hot, offering a comforting and zesty white bean chicken chili with layers of complex, warming flavors.

Notes

  • Ensure chicken is cut into uniform cubes for even cooking and tender meat texture throughout the dish.
  • Consider using a meat thermometer to check chicken reaches 165°F internally, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked protein.
  • Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing jalapeños and chili powder to suit personal heat preferences.
  • Transform into a vegetarian version by replacing chicken with extra firm tofu or additional white beans, maintaining protein content and hearty consistency.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 553
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 788 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 13 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 8 g
  • Protein: 40 g
  • Cholesterol: 145 mg