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Creamy white chicken chili with beans and corn in a large pot ready to serve

White Chicken Chili

Creamy white chicken chili made with tender chicken, white beans, and green chilies in a flavorful broth. Perfect for stovetop, slow cooker, or Instant Pot.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 299

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion chopped (about ½ cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced (or 1½ teaspoons garlic powder)
  • 2.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cans diced green chilies 4 oz each
  • 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 0.5 teaspoon paprika
  • 0.5 small lime juice only
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 cans great northern beans 15 oz each, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup corn frozen or fresh
  • 2 to 2.5 cups cooked chicken shredded, rotisserie or leftover

Equipment

  • Large 5-6 quart pot
  • Food processor (optional)
  • Strainer

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large 5-6 quart pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Add chicken broth, green chilies, cumin, cayenne pepper, paprika, oregano, lime juice, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine and let aromatics bloom for a minute.
  3. Drain and rinse beans in a strainer. Using a large serving spoon, scoop out about 1 cup of beans and add to a food processor with 2-3 tablespoons of broth from the pot. Puree until smooth. Alternatively, mash with a potato masher or fork.
  4. Add pureed beans, remaining whole beans, and corn to the soup pot. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook uncovered for 15-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Simmer at least 15 minutes for flavors to meld, or up to 30 minutes for thicker consistency.
  5. Remove pot from heat and let sit for 2-3 minutes to cool slightly. Stir in sour cream and shredded chicken. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  6. Serve garnished with fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, avocado slices, and tortilla chips if desired.

Notes

For meal prep, freeze the chili before adding sour cream and chicken. Store separately and combine when reheating. The chili thickens considerably when refrigerated - add broth when reheating. Adjust spice level by using mild or hot green chilies. Can substitute salsa verde for green chilies. Greek yogurt creates a tangier flavor than sour cream.