Creamy white chicken chili is the cozy football-season dinner that satisfies like a classic chili but tastes lighter and brighter. Tender chicken, white beans, green chiles, and warm spices simmer in a velvety broth finished with cream cheese.
This easy white chicken chili works on the stovetop in 40 minutes or in the slow cooker all day, and rotisserie chicken makes it faster still. Top it with tortilla strips, avocado, and lime for a big bowl of comfort that feeds a crowd.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Category: Soup, Dinner
Why You’ll Love This Creamy White Chicken Chili
- Ready in 40 minutes on the stovetop, or hands-off in the slow cooker
- Rich and creamy without being heavy
- Shortcut-friendly with rotisserie chicken
- Perfect for game day crowds and meal prep
- Endless topping options for a build-your-own chili bar
Ingredients You’ll Need for White Chicken Chili
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (4 oz) cans diced green chiles
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 3 (15 oz) cans white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup frozen corn
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Tortilla strips, avocado, cilantro, and shredded cheese, for serving
How to Make White Chicken Chili on the Stovetop
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and cook the onion for 5 minutes until soft.
- Add the garlic, green chiles, cumin, oregano, and chili powder and stir for 1 minute.
- Add two cans of the white beans and the chicken broth. Mash the remaining can of beans with a fork and stir it in to thicken the chili.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the shredded chicken, corn, and cubed cream cheese until the cream cheese melts.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the sour cream and lime juice.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot with tortilla strips, avocado, cilantro, and cheese.
Tips for the Creamiest White Chicken Chili
- Mash a can of beans to naturally thicken the chili without flour.
- Add the sour cream off the heat so it does not curdle.
- Soften the cream cheese first so it melts smoothly.
- Use rotisserie chicken for the fastest, most flavorful shortcut.
Variations to Try
- Add a diced jalapeño for extra heat
- Swap chicken for shredded turkey after a holiday
- Use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream
- Stir in a handful of spinach at the end
How to Store It
Store leftover white chicken chili in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth.
Freeze for up to 3 months without the sour cream, then stir in fresh sour cream when reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make white chicken chili in the slow cooker?
Yes. Combine everything except the cream cheese, sour cream, and lime juice and cook on low for 6 hours, then stir those in during the last 20 minutes.
How do you thicken white chicken chili?
Mash some of the beans into the broth, simmer a few extra minutes, or stir in extra cream cheese.
What is the difference between white chili and regular chili?
White chili uses chicken, white beans, and green chiles in a lighter broth, while red chili usually has beef, kidney beans, and a tomato base.
What toppings go well on white chicken chili?
Tortilla strips, avocado, cilantro, shredded pepper jack, lime wedges, and pickled jalapeños all work well.
Creamy White Chicken Chili
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook the onion in olive oil for 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic, green chiles, and spices and stir 1 minute.
- Add two cans of beans and the broth, then mash the third can and stir it in.
- Tip: Mashed beans thicken the chili naturally.
- Simmer 10 minutes.
- Stir in the chicken, corn, and cream cheese until melted.
- Lower the heat and stir in the sour cream and lime juice, then season and serve.
Notes
Freezes well without the sour cream.