By Lidey Heuck
Updated Oct. 12, 2023
- Total Time
- 50 minutes
- Prep Time
- 10 minutes
- Cook Time
- 40 minutes
- Rating
- 5(5,391)
- Notes
- Read community notes
This easy chili comes together quickly, thanks to rotisserie chicken or leftover roast chicken and an ingredient list that leans heavily on pantry staples. Made with canned chiles and seeded jalapeños, this chili has a mild heat that can be intensified with the addition of ground cayenne, or by leaving the seeds in the jalapeños. While some white chili recipes call for cream cheese or sour cream to thicken the broth, this one achieves a similar texture by mashing some of the white beans. If you prefer a creamy chili, feel free to stir in a large spoonful of sour cream just before serving. Or, include sour cream with a host of toppings — including crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese, diced avocado and pickled jalapeños — to make this chili a customizable family favorite.
Learn: How to Make Chili
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Ingredients
Yield:4 to 6 servings
- 2tablespoons olive oil
- 1large yellow onion, chopped
- 1large jalapeño pepper, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped
- 2tablespoons minced garlic (about 5 cloves)
- 1teaspoon dried oregano
- 1teaspoon ground cumin
- ½teaspoon sweet paprika or chili powder
- Pinch of cayenne pepper, to taste
- 1teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste (such as Diamond Crystal)
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- 4cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2(15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 2(4-ounce) cans diced green chiles
- 2½ to 3cups cooked shredded chicken (from 1 roast chicken or rotisserie chicken)
- 1cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
- Half a lime, plus lime wedges for serving
- Shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, pickled jalapeño slices, diced avocado, sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro and crushed tortilla chips, for serving (optional)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)
439 calories; 18 grams fat; 5 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 8 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 45 grams carbohydrates; 9 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 28 grams protein; 1071 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
Step
1
In a large Dutch oven or pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and jalapeño and cook, stirring often, until the onions are tender, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt and a few grinds of black pepper, and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
Step
2
Add the chicken broth, cannellini beans and diced green chiles with their liquid; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the broth has reduced by about half, 18 to 20 minutes. Off the heat, use a wooden spoon to mash some of the beans against the side of the pot. Continue mashing the beans until the broth is noticeably thicker.
Step
3
Return the pot to medium, stir in the chicken and corn, and cook until heated through, about 3 minutes. Juice the lime half over the pot, then taste for seasonings and add more salt, black pepper, and cayenne, if desired.
Step
4
Serve the chili in bowls topped as you like with a lime wedge, shredded cheese, pickled jalapeños, diced avocado, sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, and/or crushed tortilla chips.
Ratings
5
out of 5
5,391
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Cooking Notes
Maggie B
I used chicken breasts with the bone and skin on to make to soup base. Just cook until tender, remove from heat and cool. Remove the bones and skin and shred the chicken to proceed with the recipe. Sometimes I also add a can of pinto beans or black beans along with the cannellini beans, which adds a bit of color to the white chili. It is delicious served with crushed tortilla chips, sour cream, and /or lime and cilantro.
Chris Cooks
I have been making a vegetarian version of this for years and it is a family favorite at gatherings! I always use 2 different kinds of white beans and hominy. It is so versatile—in the winter I cook it in my instapot and soak and cook dried beans and hominy. In fall I add freshly roasted hatch green chillies, roasted tomatillos and zucchini. Camping or river rafting in summer time I use all canned ingredients and add salsa verde and make it the last night out. Fresh squeezed lime is essential!
Richard
Brown the ground chicken in the Dutch oven (or whatever pot you are using) after Step 1. Then proceed with the recipe.
Athena61
Delicious. Poached boneless skinless chicken breast in chicken stock. Once cooked, strained the broth to use in the chili. Used fresh corn and roasted in a dry skillet until charred. Added 1 diced red pepper and sautéed with the diced onion. Added 1 can of drained and rinsed beans but added a second can of beans without draining. Adjusted spice level to our liking.
PF
This chili is perfection. Lovely combination of flavors and textures. Huge hit in our house. Bonus: easy recipe! This goes into the regular rotation.
Rosanna M
A very versatile, tasty dish that really could be made in under an hour. Winning side accompaniments for us included chopped onion, shredded cheese, extra lime wedges and crumbled cheddar crackers. One successful substitution I made was to swap out the canned chiles in favor of a cup and a half of spicy green salsa. A great way to use up the salsas I make plenty of this time of year.
Molly
So good!! One of those rare recipes with an amazing effort-to-taste ratio. Comes together quickly since it's mostly pantry staples. Highly recommend adding avocado for more creaminess, crushed tortilla chips for salt and crunch, and a generous squeeze of lime to round it all out.
BCE
Always use a can of white beans to thicken soups and stews so don’t have to use cream. Use immersion blender with a little broth. Then make soup per recipe. I use instapot for broth. Put in rotisserie chip carcass, fill to max line with water. Hit soup button, instant stock. I freeze in ziplock bags in 2 cup or 1 cup portions and stack in freezer.
Linda
Slow cooker suggestion: if using fresh or even frozen chicken breasts, no need to precook. Simply place them whole at bottom of crock, pour other ingredients over and cook 4 to 5 hours on High. They’ll poach with all those good spices. At the end, remove chicken into a bowl and shred with two forks, then add back in. Also, couple of medium-sized potatoes diced in 1-inch chunks makes a great addition to this chili.
murphy
Sub 12 oz bottle of Mexican lager for some of the chicken broth. Serve with lime wedges.
Richard
This turned out kind of soupy (but delicious). Next time I’ll use less broth, or more bans.
Shelley M. Gordon
I used kernels from 2 ears of fresh corn to the recipe. I added corn last minute so it stayed crunchy. Great texture contrast to the rest of the ingredients and delicious!
Jeff A.
Don't think this would feed 6, maybe 3-4 with a salad and bread.Cooked a chicken breast right in the pot during the simmer and then pulled out and shredded to add back, so easy that way.Didn't add any of the chilies due to family taste buds, but added a bag of spinach like someone suggested.Definitely starts a bit soupy but keep smashing the beans against the side and will thicken up nicely.
Joseph Korona
Great flavor with sweet paprika. I poached a breast and used the liquid from that with a little "better than bullion".
alex
Delicious and really easy to improvise and not screw up! I had some bacon, kale, and black eyed peas that I wanted to get rid of, so I threw those in and it was amazing!
sammyT
this really is easy and tastier than expected.
EAntonia
This was so fast and delicious. My kids are vegetarian so it’s nice to be able to quickly put together a spicy alternative in addition to prepping their meal. Added 1 tsp coriander as well.
AnnL
I’m writing a note because I make this chili at least every other week. I follow the recipe as is but grill the chicken breast and cube it to make it even easier for Tuesday night dinner for a family of four. I have found that canelli beans are the best and so is Monterrey Jack cheese. I love this chili.
Michelle
Add corn nuts and finely chopped onions as topics to give texture: more lime. Subbed hominy for corn and was great.
buck
Simple, easy. Nothing really outstanding.
Kate Ezra
Great! Used 3 cups rotisserie chicken ( one breast leftover). Try with just one can chili’s. Added 6 ounces spinach at end.
Lori
Excellent
Beth
Pretty bland, and soupy. Not my favorite. Much prefer beef chili or just a hearty bean chili.
peggy
Def add squeeze of lime
Holly S.
This was simple and delicious! I used one can of cannellini beans and one can of white navy beans though and it added some contrast. I also added some quick fried homemade tortilla strips. Definitely in the rotation in the winter months!
Wendy W
We absolutely loved this! Heat was just perfect - added cilantro, lime, sour cream and cheese! Super yummy dinner!!
j elizabeth
Yum.
sarah
Try with avocado, tortilla chips
Teel
Seared raw chicken thighs first in the Dutch oven. Did not cook chicken through. Shredded (generous description- reality closer to chicken gore) with a hand mixer and added back at the end. Added momof*cko chili crunch oil with the garlic and herbs. Almost doubled all herbs. DELICIOUS
best soup, made some changes
Removed corn, added bell peppers and spinach
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