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.
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! 😉
How to Make White Bean Chicken Chili
For detailed instructions, please see the recipe card. This is intended as a quick overview only.
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute diced onion in the skillet until translucent.
2. Add the cut chicken and cook until the chicken is done.
3. Add the seasoning mix, beans, green chilies, and chicken broth.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
White Chicken Chili (Easy!)
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.
- 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.)
- Add seasoning mix, beans, green chiles, and chicken broth. Stir and then bring to a boil.
- 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
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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
Jonah S.
10/10 Best Chili I have had! Super simple with great flavor.
seekinggoodeats
Awww thank you! 🙂 So glad you loved the chicken chili!