Easy White Chicken Chili Recipe for a Cozy Dinner Night Recipe
This Easy White Chicken Chili is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a cozy dinner night. Made with shredded chicken, creamy Neufchatel cheese, cannellini beans, and a blend of spices, this chili is hearty yet creamy, delivering a perfect balance of heat and zest.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup/Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 cans (14.5 oz each) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 can (7 oz) diced green chilies
- 1.5 tsp cumin
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- 0.5 tsp dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp ground coriander
- 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 pkg (8 oz) Neufchatel cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1.25 cups frozen or fresh corn
- 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans
- 2.5 cups shredded cooked rotisserie or leftover chicken
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for serving
For Serving (optional)
- Tortilla chips or strips
- Monterrey Jack cheese
- Sliced avocado
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds to release its aroma.
- Add Broth & Spices: Pour in the chicken broth and add diced green chilies, cumin, paprika, oregano, coriander, cayenne pepper, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 15 minutes to develop the flavors.
- Prepare Beans: Drain and rinse the cannellini beans using a fine mesh strainer. Measure out 1 cup of the beans to set aside separately. Transfer the remaining whole beans and 1/4 cup of the broth from the pot into a food processor and puree until nearly smooth.
- Add Cheese, Corn & Beans: Stir the Neufchatel cheese cubes, corn, whole beans, and the pureed beans into the pot. Mix well and simmer for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese melts and the chili thickens slightly.
- Finish with Chicken & Garnish: Stir in the shredded cooked chicken, fresh lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with optional toppings such as Monterrey Jack cheese, extra cilantro, sliced avocado, and tortilla chips for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick meal or leftover cooked chicken for convenience.
- Neufchatel cheese gives a creamy texture with less fat than cream cheese, but you can substitute with cream cheese if unavailable.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to control the spiciness according to your preference.
- For a thicker chili, simmer longer to reduce the liquid further.
- Serving with tortilla chips adds a satisfying crunch to each bite.
Keywords: white chicken chili, easy chicken chili recipe, creamy chicken chili, rotisserie chicken recipes, white bean chili, cozy dinner recipes