White Chicken Chili with Great Northern Beans (Printable)
Creamy chili with tender chicken, Great Northern beans, green chiles, and warm spices. Easy weeknight comfort food.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Beans & Vegetables
02 - 2 cans (15 ounces each) Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles, mild or medium
→ Liquids
06 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
→ Dairy
07 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
08 - 0.5 cup sour cream
→ Spices & Seasonings
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
12 - 0.5 teaspoon ground coriander
13 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
15 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
16 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
→ Optional Garnishes
17 - Chopped fresh cilantro
18 - Diced avocado
19 - Shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
20 - Lime wedges
21 - Tortilla chips
22 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
# How-to Steps:
01 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add chicken pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. The chicken does not require complete cooking at this stage.
04 - Stir in cumin, oregano, chili powder, coriander, smoked paprika, cayenne if desired, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to release spice aromatics.
05 - Add green chiles, drained beans, and chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and flavors have melded.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese until completely melted and incorporated throughout the chili.
07 - Remove from heat and stir in sour cream until the mixture achieves a smooth, creamy consistency.
08 - Taste the chili and adjust salt and pepper as needed to achieve desired flavor balance.
09 - Ladle chili into bowls and top with cilantro, avocado, cheese, lime wedges, and tortilla chips according to preference.
# Expert Pointers:
01 -
- The combination of cream cheese and sour cream creates this velvety texture that coats your spoon perfectly without being too heavy or rich.
- You can adjust the heat level with more or less cayenne, making it friendly enough for the whole family while still packing plenty of flavor even at its mildest.
02 -
- The first time I made this, I added the sour cream while the pot was still boiling and ended up with an unappetizing curdled mess, so always remove from heat first.
- Mashing about a quarter of the beans against the side of the pot with your spoon creates a thicker base without having to add flour or cornstarch.
03 -
- When reheating leftovers, add a splash of broth or even a tablespoon of milk to maintain the creamy consistency, as it tends to thicken considerably in the refrigerator.
- For meal prep, store the cooked base and dairy components separately, combining them only when reheating to maintain the best texture and prevent separation.