Soup · American

Weeknight White Chicken Chili

White beans give this green-chile chicken chili its body. Mash a few against the pot for a creamy broth, then finish with lime for a clean, bright bite.

Recipe image placeholder for Weeknight White Chicken Chili

Weeknight White Chicken Chili

10 minPrep25 minCook35 minTotal

Amounts scale with servings. Pan size and cooking time may need adjusting for larger batches.

Ingredients

Let’s make it

  1. 1

    Warm the oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

  2. 2

    Add garlic and cumin; stir for 30 seconds. Add beans, green chiles, and broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 12 minutes.

  3. 3

    Mash about a cup of beans against the side of the pot with a spoon. Stir in the cooked chicken and simmer for 5 minutes, until it reaches 165°F.

  4. 4

    Remove from the heat. Stir a spoonful of hot broth into the sour cream, then stir that mixture into the pot. Add lime juice and salt. Taste before adding more seasoning.

A few things that help

Mash beans before adding the chicken so the shreds stay intact.

Add sour cream off the heat to keep it smooth.

Use what you have

Use cannellini or great northern beans interchangeably.

For a dairy-free bowl, omit the sour cream and mash a few more beans.

Your questions, answered

How do I thicken white chicken chili?

Mash some of the beans directly in the broth. Simmer uncovered for a few minutes if you want it thicker.

Can I freeze it?

Freeze the chili before adding sour cream, for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator, reheat to 165°F, and add the dairy off the heat.

From the kitchen notebook

How to thicken white chicken chili →

Easy ways to build a fiber-rich meal →

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Cooking mode

Weeknight White Chicken Chili