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A close-up macro shot of thick and creamy white chicken chili showing tender chicken shreds, white cannellini beans, and sweet corn on a rustic wooden table.

The Best Creamy White Chicken Chili Recipe

White Chicken Chili is an authentic home-cooked masterpiece. Enjoy a hearty, rustic bowl of thick, creamy chili loaded with shredded chicken, sweet corn, and cannellini beans.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 bowls
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Calories: 380

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp olive oil 15ml
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced (about 150g)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced (about 9g)
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts 450g
  • 4 cups chicken broth 960ml
  • 2 cans cannellini beans 15oz/425g each, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup sweet corn kernels 150g
  • 4 oz canned diced green chiles 115g, mild
  • 1 tsp ground cumin 2g
  • 1 tsp dried oregano 2g
  • 0.5 tsp salt 3g
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper 1g
  • 4 oz cream cheese 115g, softened
  • 1 large fresh avocado sliced
  • 0.5 cup Monterey Jack cheese 50g, shredded
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro 15g, roughly chopped

Equipment

  • 1 Large Dutch Oven Or any heavy-bottomed soup pot.
  • 1 Cutting board and forks For shredding the chicken.

Method
 

Make the Chili
  1. Place your Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add 1 tbsp (15ml) of olive oil. Add the diced yellow onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for exactly 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Pour in the 4 cups (960ml) of chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot. Add the diced green chiles, drained cannellini beans, and sweet corn kernels. Submerge the 1 lb (450g) of chicken breasts into the liquid. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cover.
  3. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken to a cutting board and use two forks to pull the meat into bite-sized shreds. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir.
  4. Cut the 4 oz (115g) of softened cream cheese into smaller cubes and drop them into the simmering chili. Stir continuously for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and the broth is thick and creamy. Remove from heat immediately.
  5. Ladle the chili into shallow stoneware bowls. Top generously with slices of fresh avocado, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and roughly chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.

Notes

Tip 1: Always use room-temperature cream cheese so it melts smoothly.
Tip 2: Mash some of the cannellini beans against the pot to naturally thicken the chili.