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Creamy White Chicken Chili with Cannellini Beans

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A warm, satisfying chili featuring tender chicken, creamy cannellini beans, and a subtle spice blend, perfect for cozy dinners and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, shredded or cubed
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Optional garnishes: fresh cilantro, shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese, avocado slices, crumbled tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. Chop the onion finely and mince the garlic cloves. Drain and rinse the cannellini beans. Dice the canned green chilies if needed. Shred or cube the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent and slightly golden, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the chicken pieces to the pot. Stir occasionally and cook until the chicken turns opaque and starts to brown slightly on the edges, about 8-10 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt.
  4. Sprinkle in the ground cumin, dried oregano, and white pepper. Stir to coat the chicken and aromatics. Then add the diced green chilies and stir to combine.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Stir in the drained cannellini beans. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes to meld flavors and finish cooking the chicken.
  6. Lower the heat and add the softened cream cheese and sour cream. Stir gently until the cheeses melt completely into the chili, creating a creamy texture. Optionally, use a hand blender to pulse about one-third of the chili for extra silkiness while keeping some texture.
  7. Squeeze the juice of one lime into the chili and stir well. Taste and adjust salt or spice levels as needed.
  8. Ladle the chili into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, avocado slices, or crunchy tortilla chips if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

Do not rush sautéing onions and garlic to develop flavor. Avoid overcrowding chicken pieces to get a good sear. Blend only a portion of the beans for creamy texture without pureeing the entire chili. Add lime juice at the end to prevent curdling and brighten flavors. Adjust salt after tasting as canned beans and broth vary in saltiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: white chicken chili, creamy chili, cannellini beans, easy chili recipe, weeknight dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/creamy-white-chicken-chili-with-cannellini-beans-easy-homemade-recipe/