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Bowl of creamy white chicken chili topped with avocado and lime

White Chicken Chili

A creamy, mild-heat chicken chili made with white beans, green chiles, and a cream cheese finish, ready in about 40 minutes in one pot.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 385
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lb 680 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced
  • 1 tablespoon 15 ml olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 to 2 jalapeños seeded and diced
  • 2 4 oz / 113 g cans diced green chiles
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 4 cups 960 ml low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 15 oz / 425 g cans white beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup 150 g corn, optional
  • 4 oz 115 g cream cheese, cubed and softened
  • 1/2 cup 120 g sour cream
  • 1/2 cup 60 g shredded Monterey Jack, optional
  • Juice of 1 lime

Method
 

  1. Brown the diced chicken thighs in olive oil, about 5 minutes total, then set aside.
  2. Cook the onion in the same pot until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add garlic, jalapeño, cumin, oregano, and paprika, and cook 30 seconds.
  4. Pour in broth, green chiles, and chicken, and simmer uncovered 15 minutes.
  5. Stir in beans and corn, and simmer 5 more minutes until chicken hits 165°F (74°C).
  6. Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then whisk in cream cheese until smooth.
  7. Stir in sour cream, cheese, and lime juice, and season with salt to taste.
  8. Rest 5 minutes, then serve topped with cilantro, avocado, and tortilla strips.

Notes

Let the cream cheese sit out about 20 minutes before cooking so it melts in smooth.
Boneless thighs hold up better than breast meat through the simmer.
A rotisserie chicken can replace the raw chicken and browning step if you're short on time.
Storage Notes:
Refrigerate up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Freeze up to 3 months; blend briefly after reheating if the texture looks grainy.
Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth to loosen it back up.