Alright, let’s talk about comfort food. You know, those dishes that just wrap you up in a warm hug after a long day? Well, if you’re anything like us, a good bowl of chili hits just the spot. But sometimes, you want something a little different, a bit lighter, yet still incredibly satisfying. Enter the White Chili Chicken Recipe.
This isn’t your grandma’s red chili, though we love that too! This is a creamy, dreamy, flavorful twist that’s surprisingly simple to make. It’s a fantastic option for home cooks who want to whip up something special without spending hours in the kitchen. Seriously, it’s a game changer for weeknights.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love about a recipe that promises big flavor with minimal fuss? This White Chili Chicken Recipe is a true winner for so many reasons. First off, it’s incredibly easy. We’re talking about a one pot wonder that comes together on your stove top.
It is perfect for beginners who are just getting their feet wet in the kitchen. You do not need any fancy equipment or advanced culinary skills. Just a good old Dutch oven or soup pot, and you are all set.
Plus, it is totally customizable. That is right, you can load it up with your favorite toppings, making each bowl a personal masterpiece. Think avocado, a squeeze of lime, some crunchy chips, or a sprinkle of cheese. The possibilities are endless, and that is what makes cooking fun, right?
This dish is also super budget friendly. It uses common pantry staples and chicken breasts, which are often on sale. So, you can feed your whole crew without breaking the bank. It is a hearty, comforting meal that feels special, even if it is super simple to prepare.
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to any great meal. For this comforting White Chili Chicken Recipe, you will find most of these items are probably already in your pantry or easily available at your local grocery store. We are keeping it simple and straightforward, just the way we like it!
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lb)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed (19oz or 591ml)
- 1 can sweet corn, drained (12oz or 341ml)
- 1 can green chiles (4oz or 113ml)
- 1 teaspoon green hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (125g)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)
- 1 tablespoon water (optional)
- Chips (avocado, lime wedges, salsa, cheese or jalapenos, for serving)
See? Nothing too wild or hard to find. These simple ingredients come together to create a rich and satisfying meal. You are going to love how these flavors meld.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ready to get cooking? This White Chili Chicken Recipe is incredibly straightforward. Just follow these steps, and you will have a delicious meal simmering on your stove top in no time. It is truly a White Chicken Chili Stove Top Easy experience.
Step 1: Simmer the Chicken
Grab your trusty 3 to 4 quart Dutch oven or a large soup pot. Add the boneless, skinless chicken breasts and the chicken broth. Bring this mixture to a nice simmer over medium high heat.
Once it is simmering, reduce the heat to medium low. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 15 minutes. You want the chicken to be cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. A meat thermometer is your best friend here, just to be sure.
Step 2: Shred the Chicken
Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the pot and place it on a large cutting board. Now for the fun part: shredding! Use two forks to pull the chicken apart. It should be tender and shred easily.
Once shredded, pop that delicious chicken right back into the pot with the broth. This ensures all those lovely chicken flavors stay right where they belong, in your chili.
Step 3: Add the Goodies
Now for the rest of the stars of our show! Add the drained and rinsed white kidney beans, the sweet corn, and the green chiles to the pot. Stir in the green hot sauce, chili powder, onion powder, and salt.
Give everything a good stir to combine all those wonderful ingredients. You are already building layers of flavor for your White Chili Chicken Recipe.
Step 4: Cream It Up
This is where our chili gets its signature creamy texture. Cut the room temperature cream cheese into small cubes. This helps it melt more easily and smoothly into the chili.
Stir the cream cheese cubes into the pot. Cover it up again and let it simmer over medium low heat for about 10 minutes. Remember to stir occasionally to help that cream cheese fully melt and incorporate, making your chili wonderfully rich.
Step 5: Thicken if Desired
Some folks like their chili a bit thicker, and that is perfectly fine! If you prefer a heartier consistency, grab a small bowl. Stir together one tablespoon of cornstarch with one tablespoon of water to create a slurry.
Add this cornstarch slurry to the simmering chili and stir continuously for a minute or two. You will notice it starts to thicken up beautifully. This step is completely optional, so do what feels right for you.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
The moment you have been waiting for! Ladle your amazing White Chili Chicken Recipe into bowls. Now, for the best part, toppings! Get creative here.
A dash of extra hot sauce, some crispy chips, fresh avocado slices, a zesty lime wedge, a spoonful of salsa, shredded cheese, or even some pickled jalapenos. Whatever your heart desires, pile it on and dig in! This White Chicken Chili Stove Top version is truly satisfying.
How To Store Leftovers
Got some of this delicious White Chili Chicken Recipe left over? Lucky you! This chili actually tastes even better the next day, as the flavors have more time to meld together. Storing it properly means you can enjoy it for a few more meals.
Once the chili has cooled down to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container. Make sure the container is sealed well to keep it fresh. Pop it into the refrigerator, and it will keep nicely for up to 3 to 4 days.
When you are ready to reheat, you can do so gently on the stove top over medium low heat, stirring occasionally until it is warmed through. You can also use the microwave for individual portions. Just a heads up, the texture might change slightly after reheating, but the flavor will still be spot on!
Tips
Making a great White Chili Chicken Recipe is pretty straightforward, but a few extra tips can take it from good to absolutely amazing. These little tricks can help you customize it, save time, or just ensure perfect results every single time.
For a quicker meal, especially on those super busy weeknights, consider using pre cooked chicken. A rotisserie chicken from the grocery store works wonders here. Just shred it up and add it to the pot when you add the beans and corn. This makes it a fantastic White Chicken Chili With Rotisserie option!
Want to add a bit more depth to your chili? Try sautéing a diced onion and a couple of cloves of minced garlic in a tablespoon of olive oil before you add the chicken and broth. This simple step adds a wonderful aromatic base that really builds the flavor profile.
If you like a little extra kick, do not be shy with the hot sauce! You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper along with the chili powder for some serious heat. On the flip side, if you are serving kids or folks who are sensitive to spice, you can reduce the amount of green hot sauce or omit it entirely.
For an even richer, creamier chili, you could swap out half of the chicken broth for half and half or even heavy cream. Just remember to add it towards the end of the cooking process to prevent it from curdling. This makes for a truly decadent version of our White Chili Chicken Recipe.
Do not forget about the toppings! They are not just for show. Fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, and even some crushed tortilla chips add texture and a burst of fresh flavor. These little additions really make the dish sing.
Conclusion
So, there you have it, folks! A truly comforting, easy to make, and utterly delicious White Chili Chicken Recipe that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you are a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned home cook looking for a no fuss meal, this recipe ticks all the boxes.
It is hearty enough to satisfy, flavorful enough to impress, and simple enough to whip up on even the busiest of weeknights. Plus, with all those customizable topping options, every bowl can be exactly what you are craving. It really is a fantastic White Chicken Chili Stove Top Easy recipe.
We hope this guide inspires you to try your hand at this wonderful dish. Gather your ingredients, get that pot simmering, and prepare to enjoy a bowl of pure comfort. Happy cooking, and enjoy every last spoonful of this incredible chili!
FAQ
Can I Use Canned Chicken for This Recipe?
Absolutely! If you are really short on time, canned chicken can be a convenient substitute. Drain it well, shred it if necessary, and add it to the pot along with the beans and corn. This makes for an even quicker White Chili Chicken Recipe.
What If I Do Not Have White Kidney Beans?
No problem at all! Great northern beans or cannellini beans are excellent substitutes for white kidney beans in this White Chili Chicken Recipe. They have a similar texture and mild flavor that will work perfectly. Just make sure to drain and rinse them.
How Can I Make This Chili Spicier?
To dial up the heat, you have a few options. You can add more green hot sauce, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or even some diced fresh jalapenos or serrano peppers when you add the green chiles. A dash of red pepper flakes also works wonders for a spicier White Chili Chicken Recipe.
Can I Freeze Leftovers?
Yes, you can! This White Chili Chicken Recipe freezes quite well. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to freezer safe containers or heavy duty freezer bags. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating gently on the stove top.
Is This Recipe Gluten Free?
Generally, yes, this White Chili Chicken Recipe is gluten free as written. Most chicken broths, beans, corn, chiles, and spices are naturally gluten free. Always double check the labels of your specific ingredients, especially broths and hot sauces, to ensure they do not contain any hidden gluten.
Easy White Chili Chicken Recipe
This creamy, dreamy White Chili Chicken is a flavorful twist on a classic comfort food. A one-pot wonder that’s surprisingly simple to make, it’s the perfect no-fuss weeknight meal for the whole family.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Grab your trusty 3 to 4 quart Dutch oven or a large soup pot. Add the boneless, skinless chicken breasts and the chicken broth. Bring this mixture to a nice simmer over medium high heat.
- Once it is simmering, reduce the heat to medium low. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 15 minutes. You want the chicken to be cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. A meat thermometer is your best friend here, just to be sure.
- Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the pot and place it on a large cutting board. Use two forks to pull the chicken apart. Once shredded, return the chicken to the pot with the broth.
- Add the drained and rinsed white kidney beans, the sweet corn, and the green chiles to the pot. Stir in the green hot sauce, chili powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Cut the room temperature cream cheese into small cubes. Stir the cream cheese cubes into the pot. Cover it up again and let it simmer over medium low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- If you prefer a thicker chili, stir together one tablespoon of cornstarch with one tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Add this cornstarch slurry to the simmering chili and stir continuously for a minute or two.
- Ladle your amazing White Chili Chicken into bowls. Serve with your favorite toppings like chips, fresh avocado slices, a zesty lime wedge, or shredded cheese.
Notes
For a quicker meal, use a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. Just shred it up and add it to the pot when you add the beans and corn.
Want more depth? Sauté a diced onion and a couple of cloves of minced garlic in olive oil before adding the chicken and broth.
Don’t forget the toppings! Fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, a dollop of sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips add texture and fresh flavor.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
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