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Home » Recipes » Soup and Stew Recipes

White Chicken Chili (Easy Recipe!)

Modified: Oct 24, 2023 by Kori Butler · Published: Dec 28, 2022

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This White Chicken Chili is not only delicious - it's quick, easy, AND healthy! Made with only 7 ingredients in 30 minutes or less, it's the perfect weeknight dinner! You'll love the perfectly seasoned tender chicken and juices with white beans, onions, and green chiles.

A white bowl of chicken chili garnished with cilantro and a corn muffin on the side.Pin

WATCH: Easy recipe for Chicken Chili

You'll love this Easy White Chicken Chili

"A quick and easy flavorful chili recipe perfect for any night of the week!"

Chili can be made in so many unique ways - from this delicious slow cooker, no-bean chicken chili to this Texas-style beef barbecue chili (also no beans), and this vegetable and bean-based chipotle peach vegan chili - you're sure to find a delicious option!

7 Ingredients! Make this with only 7 main ingredients from start to finish! Of course, you can add any additional ingredients you would like to, and you may already have on hand.

30 Minutes One Pan. Make this chicken chili in one pan in less than 30 minutes. Got a busy night? This is the perfect meal with easy cleanup!

Healthy. Only 209 calories per serving and high in protein. This chili is gluten free, dairy-free, and has no sugar added. To lower the fat, use diced boneless chicken breast and less olive oil.

What you'll need to make Easy White Chicken Chili

  • Recipe for White Chicken Chili Seasoning Mix - make your own mix - it's so easy and healthy! A store-bought premix packet can also be used.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Onion - use your favorite type of onion. I like to use yellow, white, or sweet in this recipe. Save time and use pre-chopped onion if desired.
  • Ground Chicken - use ground chicken for convenience, but you can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts that have been cut into bite-size pieces.
  • Canned White Beans - any canned variety also works here - great northern beans, navy beans, cannellini beans.
  • Canned Diced Green Chiles - these come in mild or hot, so purchase them based on your heat tolerance.
  • Chicken Broth - any variety of chicken broth will work so choose regular, low-sodium, or even replace it with vegetable stock if preferred.
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Optional Garnish for Serving - avocado slices, sour cream, fresh cilantro, jack cheese

For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!

Be sure to save this pin to Pinterest for later! 😉

Pinterest pin with a gray bowl of white chicken chili garnished with fresh cilantro.Pin

How to Make White Bean Chicken Chili

For detailed instructions, please see the recipe card. This is intended as a quick overview only.

Sauteeing the onion in an oval white pot for making the white chicken chili recipe.

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute diced onion in the skillet until translucent.

Cooking the ground chicken for white chicken chili.

2. Add the cut chicken and cook until the chicken is done.

Adding the remaining seasoning mix and ingredients to the white chicken chili.

3. Add the seasoning mix, beans, green chilies, and chicken broth.

Putting the lid on the pot so the white chicken chili can simmer.

4. Stir and then bring to a boil. Cover, turn down the heat, and then simmer to blend flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

A gray bowl of white chicken chili with shredded jack cheese.Pin

5. Ladle into bowls and garnish with avocado slices, fresh cilantro, sour cream, and even shredded cheese if you want.

What to Serve with this Easy White Chicken Chili Recipe

More ways to serve your chili: shredded jack cheese, sliced green onions, or diced white onion, crushed tortilla chips, salsa verde, olives, and even crumbled corn bread.

Squeeze a little fresh lime juice over the top of your soup!

Serving suggestion! Serve white chicken chili with a side of cornbread or crusty bread and a fresh green salad with avocado salad dressing. Be sure to try this Roasted Chili Corn Salsa on the side with chips as well.

Chicken Chili Easy Variations

Here are a few ways you can customize this chili recipe:

  • Add some spice to this recipe if you like a little extra heat! Use sliced jalapenos or sliced banana pepper on top of your chili and a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce, or add crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the chili when simmering.
  • Frozen corn kernels can be added when the other ingredients are added. Sweet corn adds a wonderful flavor!
  • Pre-cooked shredded chicken may be used.
  • Make this creamy white chicken chili: add 4 ounces of very soft cream cheese and half to one cup of sour cream at the end after simmering.
  • Saute up to 2 cups of fresh vegetables such as zucchini, green bell pepper, and mushrooms.
  • Substitute the chicken with steak, pork, or andouille sausage! Any meat that can be cut into bite-size pieces works great!
  • Make this soup vegetarian by omitting the chicken and replacing it with tofu or adding extra beans. Remember to use vegetable broth in place of chicken broth as well.
  • Lower the carbs and make it keto-friendly by omitting the beans and adding vegetables such as bell pepper, mushrooms, and zucchini. Saute with the onion.

Top Tips for Easy White Chicken Chili

  • Make this recipe in a slow cooker or crockpot: use diced chicken breast or thighs and place all ingredients in your slow cooker and set on low for 6 to 8 hours. Thicken juices if needed.
  • Adjust any seasoning to your tastes.

How to Store White Bean Chicken Chili

Store your leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep your toppings separate from the soup when storing for the best-reheated version.

How To Reheat

You can reheat this soup either in a stock pot on the stove or in the microwave. Portion into a microwave-safe bowl the amount you would like and cook on high for 2 minutes or until the desired temperature is reached.

How To Freeze

If you do not add any cream cheese or dairy to the soup, you can freeze this soup without the worry of it breaking when reheated. You can store it in an air-tight container for three months. Tip: date your container with a piece of tape so you can easily track the best-by date.

White Bean Chicken Chili FAQs

How do you make white chicken chili thicker?

A few ways you can thicken the broth of a chili. First, let it simmer longer. The excess moisture will reduce down and will become thicker. Second, make a cornstarch or flour "slurry." Add one tablespoon of either ingredient and mix with a 1/8th cup of water. Stir into the soup and wait at least 10 minutes before adding more. Third, add in cheese or cream cheese and stir until combined. Cheese acts as a binder.

What is the difference between white chili and regular chili?

The main difference between the two is the base. White chili base is typically a broth with green chili and white beans. Regular chili is a tomato base made up of crushed tomato, tomato sauce, chili powder, red chili pepper, and various red beans.

What is white chili made of?

Typically white chili is made with a broth base such as chicken or vegetable to keep it "white" or light colored. Ingredients typically found are also light in colors, such as chicken, green chilies, and white beans. You can add cream cheese to the base of this soup to keep it light in color but add a creamier texture.

📖 The recipe.

A white bowl of chicken chili with avocado slices, cilantro, and grated cheese.

White Chicken Chili (Easy!)

This 30-minute quick and easy white chicken chili recipe is just what you need on a busy weeknight!
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Author Kori Butler
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course chicken recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 209 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 recipe white chicken chili seasoning mix (or 1 store-bought packet)
  • 1 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion
  • 1 pound ground chicken (or, boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs cut into bite-size pieces, about 1")
  • 1 (16-ounce) can white beans (great northern beans, cannellini beans, etc. - do not drain)
  • 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles (do not drain)
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add onion and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.
    Sauteeing the onion in an oval white pot.
  • Add chicken and cook until chicken is done, stirring frequently for approximately 5 to 6 minutes. (chicken is done when it is no longer pink, or to be 100% sure use an instant-read thermometer. Chicken is done at 165 degrees F.)
    Cooking the ground chicken for the chili.
  • Add seasoning mix, beans, green chiles, and chicken broth. Stir and then bring to a boil.
    Adding the remaining ingredients to the chili.
  • Cover, turn down the heat, and simmer the chili for 15 minutes.
  • Salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

Video

Kori's Tips

  • Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
  • VARIATIONS: Use ground turkey or ground beef if preferred. Boneless chicken breasts or thighs may be used, as well as shredded chicken. Increase spice with cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. 
  • SERVING SUGGESTION: garnish with cilantro and top with cheese, sour cream, or salsa verde. Serve with cornbread, corn muffins, or tortilla chips.

Nutrition

Calories: 209kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 21gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 288mgPotassium: 650mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 125IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Mention @seekinggoodeatsofficial or tag #seekinggoodeats! Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

© 2025 Seeking Good Eats™

More Chicken Recipes

If you are looking for more delicious soup and stew recipe with chicken, be check these out:

  • Keto Chicken Chili (Slow Cooker) - white chicken chili with no beans so it's low carb and keto-friendly!
  • Healthier Green Enchiladas
  • Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup (Slow Cooker + Instant Pot)
  • Creamy Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
  • Instant Pot Chicken Soup
  • Crockpot Cream of Chicken and Mushroom Soup
  • Chicken Fajita Soup (Crockpot + Instant Pot)
  • Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Soup

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jonah S.

    December 28, 2022 at 1:18 pm

    5 stars
    10/10 Best Chili I have had! Super simple with great flavor.

    Reply
    • seekinggoodeats

      December 29, 2022 at 7:47 am

      Awww thank you! 🙂 So glad you loved the chicken chili!

      Reply
5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Hey there, I'm Kori.

I’m a culinary school trained chef specializing in holistic nutrition and wellness. I’ve always been a major foodie, and as I’ve aged, the full impact of my love of food—and not-necessarily-healthy eating habits—caught up to me. In an effort to make positive changes in my life (and hopefully yours, too), I created this website where I could share great-tasting, craveable, healthy recipes.

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