by 
A delicious bowl of white chicken chili made with white beans, chicken, and roasted green chilies. This easy to make recipe is filled with zesty chilies, chunks of chicken and good for you white beans.
It's a delicious bowl of comfort food.
Creamy white chicken chili
Creamy White Chicken Chili is just what I needed this weekend! We received our first snow two weeks ago and it caught everyone off guard. We still had most of our apples on the tree and because the temperatures dropped so low, we lost the rest of the crop. Cold weather just puts me in the mood for warm, cozy food.
We were actually out of town when the snow hit. We had traveled to watch one of our boys play in the state soccer tournament for high school. While they didn't win, they played well and had lots of fun. We didn't have snow there, but their final game was played outside in 20 degree weather! Yep, it was cold.
On the way home from the tournament, we got stuck in the snowstorm. The whole team and all the parents ended up stopping for the night about three hours from our town. The traffic had slowed way down and one of the passes we had to cross was closed due to semi-trucks blocking the interstate.
It all ended well and everyone made it home safely the next day, and I have to think the soccer team had fun with one more night hanging out together.
Once the snow hits, all I want to do is curl up with a warm fire, a good book and delicious comforting food. This Creamy White Bean Chicken Chili will warm you all the way through and make you happy to watch the snow coming down while you are all warm and cozy sitting inside!
It's yummy and filling. And it's everything I want when it's cold outside. This white chicken chili is delicious served with Chipotle Cornbread Muffins.
Make from scratch
This creamy white bean chicken chili can be made with everything from scratch starting with dried beans, roasted chilies and homemade chicken broth. On the weekends I usually have time to cook, but when time is tight you can use a few shortcuts. Either way, this chili is delicious.
Shortcuts for making white chicken chili
- Use canned beans in place of the dried beans - rinse and drain
- Buy tortilla chips in place of the homemade baked tortilla strips
- Use store-bought chicken broth
- Canned roasted and chopped chilies can be used in place of the fresh roasted chilies
Steps to make chicken chili
- Cook beans
- Sautee onions until soft
- Add garlic and roasted peppers
- Stir in chicken broth and beans
- Add cream cheese
- Stir in corn and milk. Heat until warmed through
- Serve with your favorite toppings
Frequently Asked Questions
I set aside a cup of the cooked white beans and smashed them. When they are added to the broth, it helps thicken the broth. If you like your chili a bit thicker, use ¼ cup of flour mixed with ½ of hot broth. Stir until smooth and then add to the hot chili.
Yes, this chili can be made in a crock pot. You will want to use the shortcut ingredients. Add everything and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.
This chili is perfect for making ahead of time! The flavors continue to develop the longer this chili sits. After cooking, allow chili to cool for a bit in the pot. Transfer to another container and place in the refrigerator. Because this is a large amount of chili, make certain you give it a stir every 30-60 minutes so the center will cool down quickly. Once cool, cover and keep refrigerated. When ready to use, just place back in a pot and reheat and serve!
Variations on white chili
- Use navy beans or great northern beans. Any white bean will work.
- Chopped chicken or shredded chicken works in this chili
- Use a can of cooked chicken - drain before adding
- Substitute turkey for chicken
- Control the heat - add more jalapenos or leave out altogether
- Add any of your favorite toppings - shredded cheese, fresh-cut tomatoes and onions, fresh cilantro, sour cream, pickled peppers and crunchy corn chips.
To make more budget friendly
If you are looking for ways to save money on this meal, here are a few tips:
- Use dried beans instead of canned ones. Dried beans are a fraction of the cost of canned
- Cut back on the amount of chicken. A smaller diced chicken or shredded chicken can go a long way. You could reduce the amount of cooked chicken to just one cup!
- Compare prices on hot peppers and substitute as needed. If the cost of peppers is high, consider purchasing a small can of roasted peppers.
- Make and use homemade chicken broth- much cheaper than buying it from the store
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my delicious soup recipes!
White Chicken Chili
Equipment
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried navy beans
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 2 poblano peppers (roasted and peeled)
- 1 jalapeno pepper (roasted and peeled)
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups cooked chicken (chopped)
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 8 oz cream cheese (cut into small pieces)
- 1 cup whole milk
Tortilla Strips
- 10 corn tortillas
Toppings
- Chopped Tomatoes
- Chopped avocado
- Chopped cilantro
- Sour Cream
Instructions
Beans
- Soak beans in hot water for at least 2 hours or soak in cool water overnight. Place in a stock pot with 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook beans until cooked through. Drain beans and set aside.1 pound dried navy beans
- Set 1 cup of beans aside. When cool, mash with a fork.
Crispy Tortilla Strips
- Stack tortillas together on a cutting board. Cut through all tortillas creating thin strips.10 corn tortillas
- Spray a baking sheet with a cooking spray. Sprinkle tortillas strips on baking sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes until crispy. Check on strips halfway through cooking time and give a stir.
Chili
- In a large soup pot, heat olive oil. Add chopped onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and continue cooking.1 medium onion, 2 Tablespoons olive oil, 2 cloves garlic
- Stir in chopped roasted chili peppers.2 poblano peppers, 1 jalapeno pepper
- Add chicken broth, cumin, oregano, and salt. Bring to a boil.6 cups chicken broth, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon salt
- Add cooked beans, mashed beans, chicken, corn and cream cheese. Simmer for 10 minutes over medium heat.4 cups cooked chicken, 1 cup frozen corn, 8 oz cream cheese
- Add milk and bring soup back to a simmer.1 cup whole milk
- Serve with sour cream, chopped tomatoes, avocado, fresh cilantro and crispy tortilla strips.
Notes
- Use navy beans or great northern beans. Any white bean will work.
- Chopped chicken or shredded chicken works in this chili
- Use a can of cooked chicken - drain before adding
- Substitute turkey for the chicken
- Control the heat - add more jalapenos or leave out all together
- Add any of your favorite toppings - shredded cheese, fresh cut tomatoes and onions, fresh cilantro, sour cream and crunchy corn chips.
- Use canned beans in place of the dried beans - rinse and drain
- Buy tortilla chips in place of the homemade baked tortilla strips
- Use store bought chicken broth
- Canned roasted and chopped chilies can be used in place of the fresh roasted chilies
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted in November 2018.
Biscuitboogie says
How many cans of beans to replace the dried cooked beans?
Thanks!
Kathy says
Hello,
The dried beans equals about 6 cups of cooked beans. A 15 ounce can of beans has about 1.5 cups of beans. You'll need 4, 15 ounce cans of white beans.
Enjoy,
Kathy
Suzi says
This was so good! We didn't have green chilis, so I added a can of mild rotel. Such a hearty meal....and I couldn't stop eating those home baked tortilla chips!
Kathy says
Thanks! It's one of our favorites and I usually make double the amount of crispy tortilla strips because they keep disappearing with all the nibbling! 🙂
David @ Spiced says
Umph. Sorry to hear about the apple crop - that stinks. We got an early snow here, too, but it was mainly just a dusting. Enough to cover everything, but not enough to cause any serious issues. But as you noted, I bet the soccer team enjoyed hanging out together for an unexpected night! This chili is totally calling my name right now. It looks amazing! And I'm a huge fan of the poblanos in there, too!
Kathy says
Thanks, David. The poblanos add a lot of flavor without adding a lot of heat.
allie says
What a delicious soup Kathy! I know what you mean about the snow! We got our first snow last night! So exciting. This is the perfect soup for snowy days. Thanks for all the great shortcuts!
Kathy says
The first snowfall is always exciting!
Adina says
I have never heard of a white chili before, it looks delicious and I would love to try it! It is the same here with the first snow. Chaos everywhere, even if it's just a little snow compared to what comes later.
Kathy says
A white bean chili is very similar to a traditional chili but it doesn't contain tomatoes.
Fred G says
Sounds like a good meal for these cold days.
Kathy says
It's a perfect warm up meal!
Punam's Indian recipe says
Winters are starting in India thus am looking for hot and spicy flovour and this the perfect recipe seems delicious and unique to serve.
Kathy says
Thanks! I hope you enjoy!
Fran @ G'day Souffle' says
When I first saw your photo, I thought of 'Chicken Tortilla Soup.' Love the addition of the poblano and jalapeno peppers to the soup. You say you have snow? In San Diego it's been in the low 70s and I've been swimming in the pool!
Kathy says
Those temps sound heavenly! We won't have anything above the 40s for months! Maybe I need to come to San Diego! 🙂
Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
Hi Kathy! This looks like the perfect hearty meal to warm me up with this too early snow and lower than usual temps 😉 . Take care.
Kathy says
It is a perfect warm up meal!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Perfect for the first snow of the season Kathy! So cozy and hearty. I'd never pass up a big bowl of this chili!
Kathy says
Thanks, Mary Ann!
David @ Spiced says
I hear ya, Kathy. We get more than enough snow here, too, but that first snow is always magical. It's so peaceful and quiet outside when it snows, and I love that! Light a fire in the fireplace, curl up with a tasty bowl of soup and watch the snow fall...sounds awesome to me! (Well, at least for the first snow...) This chili sounds delicious, and I'm loving the addition of green chilis here. Definitely keeping this on the radar for that weekend after Thanksgiving! 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
We got snow this weekend too, but then it was followed by rain so no snow left....for now. Either way, it's cold and windy and this white chicken chili is definitely in order! Love the tortilla strips on top 🙂 Have a wonderful week, Kathy!