Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (2024)

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White chicken chili is a hug in a bowl on a cold night.

By

Elise Bauer

Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (1)

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated January 14, 2024

16 Ratings

Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (2)

In This Recipe

Our 17 Very Best Chili RecipesFEATURED IN:

Do you like white chili? If you are not familiar with it, it's sort of the calmer, nicer cousin of a Texas chili. No frantically looking for something to put out the flames from a beef and habanero fest. White chili is made with white beans, chicken (sometimes pork), and mild green chiles.

(That said, if you must, must have scorching heat in your chili, there are ways to do that while still keeping the chili white. Read through the comments for some ideas.)

Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (3)

Ingredients for White Chicken Chili

Personally, I love the flavors of mild Anaheim or hatch green chiles with chicken, white beans, and Monterey jack cheese. It's like a stew version of my favorite chicken burrito. Great with tortilla chips and your favorite taco toppings.

You can use either canned or dry beans. Dry beans will add a couple of hours of cooking time, but it's almost all hands off time and the flavor of the beans is terrific.

If you use canned beans, pick a good brand. I like Bush's cannellini beans. S&W has decent flavor too. Some of the organic, low salt canned beans brands are some of the most bland tasting beans ever sold. If you use those, you'll need to add more salt than you would expect.

Favorite Additions to This Chili

We've received some great suggestions from readers who have made this recipe over the years. Here are a few:

  • Top with avocado, sour cream, or both
  • Add corn kernels (especially good if grilled)
  • Add chopped green or red bell peppers
  • Add hominy for a posole-style chili
  • Use pre-cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for an even faster soup

Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (4)

What To Serve With White Chicken Chili

Top this hearty soup with cilantro, chopped fresh tomato, salsa, chopped scallions, and/or guacamole, and serve with a side of warm flour tortillas or tortilla chips.

Storing and Freezing White Chicken Chili

Like so many stews, this chili is even better the next day when the flavors have had more chance to meld. The chili will last several days in the fridge.

To freeze, cool the chili completed then transfer to freezer containers or bags. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop.

How To Make Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Using a slow cooker to make this chili allows you to put this together hours before you serve it and forget about it. To make this in the white chicken chili in a slow cooker, follow Steps 1 (if using dry beans) and 2, and then place the beans and sautéed, seasoned onions in a 6-quart slow cooker. Then add the chicken, stock and beans (if using canned beans). Cook on high for 2 to 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours.

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken ChiliREAD MORE:

How To Make Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

No adaptations needed — hop over to our recipe made just for your Instant Pot!

Instant Pot White Chicken ChiliREAD MORE:

The Best Chicken To Use for White Chicken Chili

Any boneless, skinless chicken meat will work, but we prefer thigh meat. Thigh meat has more flavor, is less likely to dry out, and doesn't get a stringy texture.

How To Store and Reheat This Chili

Refrigerator the chili, tightly covered, for 3 to 5 days. Reheat it by bringing to a boil on the stovetop over medium-high heat on the stovetop.

Freeze this chili — it freezes very well — for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Defrost in the refrigerator and reheat over medium-high heat on the stovetop until it boils.

How to Freeze Soup, Beans, and BrothREAD MORE:

More Great Chili Recipes!

  • Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
  • Easy Green Chicken Chili
  • Chili Con Carne
  • Best Beef Chili
  • Easy Vegetarian Chili

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

White Chicken Chili

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time45 mins

Dry bean cooking2 hrs

Total Time3 hrs 5 mins

Servings4to 5 servings

If you are starting with dry beans and want even more flavor, cook them in about 7cups of chicken stock, and then when done, use the stock that the beans haven't absorbed as a base for the chili. For more tips, see How to Cook Dried Beans.

Ingredients

  • 2 (15-ounce) cans white beans, drained OR 8 ounces dry white beans

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

  • 1medium onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)

  • 1clove garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon)

  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin

  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 2 (4-ounce) cans chopped green chilies

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

  • 1 jalapeño or serrano pepper, finely chopped, optional

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (can use breast meat, but thighs will work better), trimmed of excess fat and diced into 1/2- to 3/4-inch pieces

  • 3 cups chickenstock

  • 1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese, optional

If cooking dry beans:

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 1 clove garlic

  • 1 bay leaf

Method

  1. If using dry beans, cook them first:

    Place the beans in a medium pot and cover with a couple inches of hot water, about 2 quarts. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 chopped garlic clove, and one bay leaf. Heat on high to bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to very low to maintain a low simmer.

    Cook for 2 to 3 hours or until the beans are cooked through and tender (note that cannelli beans will cook faster than navy beans, and older dry beans will take longer to cook than newer). Drain.

    Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (5)

    Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (6)

  2. Sauté the onions with seasonings:

    In a large thick-bottomed pot, sauté onions in olive oil on medium high heat until tender, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, cloves, and cayenne and cook a minute more. Add the green chiles and dried oregano. Add the minced jalapeño or serrano chile if using.

    Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (7)

    Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (8)

  3. Add the chicken and stock, simmer:

    Add the chicken and chicken stock. Increase the heat to high, bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, cover and maintain the simmer for 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.

    Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (9)

  4. Add the cooked beans:

    Add the drained cooked beans and cook for 15 minutes more. Taste for seasonings and add more salt to taste. Depending on how salty your chicken stock and beans are, you may need to add a teaspoon or more.

    Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (10)

  5. Serve with toppings and tortillas or chips:

    Serve topped with grated cheese. Garnish with cilantro, chopped fresh tomato, salsa, chopped scallions, and/or guacamole. Serve with fresh warmed flour tortillas or tortilla chips.

    Did you enjoy this recipe? Let us know with a rating and review!

  • Chicken By Type
  • Comfort Food
  • White Beans
  • Chicken Thighs
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
442Calories
19g Fat
20g Carbs
50g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4to 5
Amount per serving
Calories442
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19g25%
Saturated Fat 5g27%
Cholesterol 226mg75%
Sodium 1432mg62%
Total Carbohydrate 20g7%
Dietary Fiber 5g17%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 50g
Vitamin C 81mg405%
Calcium 129mg10%
Iron 6mg34%
Potassium 983mg21%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Why You Should Be Making White Chicken Chili This Winter (2024)

FAQs

How long does White Chicken Chili stay good in the fridge? ›

Storing & freezing tips

To store: this white chicken chili will stay good in your fridge for about 5 days. Once your chili is completely cooled, just place it in an airtight container (or multiple, if you'd like to meal prep it) without the additional toppings and place it in the fridge.

What is the meaning of white chili? ›

White chili is a delicious variation of classic chili, featuring chicken or turkey and white beans in a savory broth base instead of the typical kidney beans and tomato base.

How do I thicken my White Chicken Chili? ›

Add cornstarch or all-purpose flour: Cornstarch and all-purpose flour are common thickening agents that you might already have on hand in your pantry. Adding flour directly into the chili will create lumps. Instead, make a slurry by mixing one tablespoon of cold water with one tablespoon of cornstarch.

What is the history of white chili? ›

White chicken chili, also known as white chili or chicken chili, is a hearty soup consisting of white beans, chiles, spices, and chicken. While there is no concrete history of the creation of this soup, many believe it to have originated in the Southwest region of the United States during the 1970s to 1980s.

Does chili go bad if not refrigerated? ›

It would be very risky to eat any kind of meat, including chili, after it has been sitting out unrefrigerated for several hours. Bacteria growth can begin as soon as meat reaches the temperature of 40° Fahrenheit. Meat dishes that are not consumed or refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking should not be eaten.

Does chicken go bad in the fridge after 3 days? ›

USDA recommends using cooked chicken within three to four days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within three to four days.

Why is white chicken chili considered chili? ›

White chili is a chili insofar as it contains meat and has a chili pepper base, but it is the one chili that typically includes shredded poultry, either chicken or turkey.

What is the difference between white chili and regular chili? ›

Regular chili has a rich base of red chilies (or chili powder) and sometimes tomato, while white chili calls for green chilies. We use canned Hatch green chilies, white beans, and tender shredded chicken to make our white chili recipe. It tastes quite different from red chili but is just as delicious!

Why do you put white vinegar in chili? ›

Stirred into the pot right before serving, a spoonful of vinegar brightens up the finished product, and gives it that full, rounded taste that was missing. Even if the chili recipe you're using doesn't call for vinegar, go ahead and add it anyway. You won't actually taste the tang or sharp flavor of the vinegar.

Why is my white chicken chili watery? ›

This can be the result of: Adding too much stock, broth, or water. A base of beef broth, chicken broth, or stock (and occasionally water, milk, or cream), sets the tone for most chili recipes. If your chili looks watery, you may have poured in more than required.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Chili should be thick and hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but sometimes there's just a bit more liquid than you want in the pot. While you can simply keep simmering the chili, that method risks overcooking softer ingredients like the beans, losing all your nice texture to mushy monotony.

How can I make my white chicken chili less spicy? ›

Best White Chicken Chili Recipe Easy FAQs

To make the chili less spicy, omit the jalapeno or if you're not sure, omit the jalapeno. You can always add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to taste if you would like more heat. Also take care you use mild salsa verde even if you want a spicy soup.

What is white chili made of? ›

Here are the Ingredients for the White Chicken Chili:

Cans - Cannellini Beans, Northern White Beans, Pinto Beans, Sweet Yellow Corn, White Corn, Green Chiles. Olive Oil. Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt. Chicken Broth.

Is chili healthy? ›

In general, chili is seen as a healthy food since chili contains ingredients from key food groups. If you want to build a healthier bowl of beef chili, choose lean ground beef. Reducing the fat content in the meat is important for heart health and can lower your risk of developing diabetes.

What country invented chili? ›

Food historians speculate that chili originated in Texas-Mexico border towns and spread north. In the 1880s San Antonio's downtown was famous for Hispanic outdoor vendors called "chili queens." At Chicago's 1893 World's Columbian Exposition Texas-style chili was popular, and at St.

Can I eat chili after 7 days in the fridge? ›

Generally, homemade chili (chili con carne) will stay good in the refrigerator for about 4-5 days when stored in an airtight container. However, it's important to remember that the length does chili last in the fridge, the higher the risk of spoilage and foodborne illness.

Is chili good after 5 days in fridge? ›

Commercially packaged or store-bought chili is good in the refrigerator for about 5–7 days, as they add preservatives and additives to increase the shelf life. Before storing, it is better to read the storage guidelines present on the labels to avoid spoilage.

Can I eat leftover chili after 5 days? ›

Understanding Food Safety and Chili

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), leftovers, including chili, can be safely stored in the refrigerator for three to four days if properly handled.

Can I eat chicken after 5 days in the fridge? ›

Raw chicken lasts in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cooked chicken lasts 3–4 days. To detect if chicken has gone bad, check the “best if used by” date and look for signs of spoilage like changes in smell, texture, and color. Avoid eating spoiled chicken, as it can cause food poisoning — even if you cook it thoroughly.

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