The flavors in this chili are pretty not exactly like the chili con carne which is made with meat and a thick chunky sauce.
Instead, this will have cubed boneless chicken breasts, spices, and a chili sauce with a thickener of pureed cannellini beans, still red just different in flavors.
I really love mine with a dollop of sour cream on top and even some crumbled bacon (then of course) shredded melted cheese on top.
This chili is thick and very flavorful and like no other and quick to make.
I love the fact that this easy pot of delicious chili can be made with a rotisserie chicken off the bone to save time and it can be used as a dip.
This can be made on the stovetop, instant pot of slow cooker, and super easy to throw together to feed a crowd.
If you are a huge fan of chili, time my Old World Classic Chili, Merlot Chili, or Venison Chili, they're all family favorites.
Scroll down to get our printable recipe card for two styles of our favorite ways to prepare White Chili both outrageously delicious.
Chili is Pure Comfort Food
I love this chili all year round it's also perfect for nachos and using it on top of taco salads.
During the week if you have leftover chicken, here is a perfect way to repurpose those leftovers , just add it in around 1 hour before it's completed cooking.
There are so many topping ideas to make this hearty chicken chili over the top in flavor, just check out my many suggestions.
Ingredients You Will Need (for exact measurements keep scrolling the to the recipe card)
- boneless cubed chicken breast(or use ground chicken, leftover turkey or ground turkey)
- green chiles
- cannellini beans canned or fresh ( I use dried beans and cook them)
- cumin, granulated garlic powder, chili powder
- fresh garlic
- chicken broth
- extra virgin olive oil
- diced tomatoes
- garlic
- fresh parsley
- water
- any kind shredded cheese
Cooking Methods
- The stovetop simmered for at least 2 hours
- Instant Pot using the pressure cooker mode to instruction book (around 45 minutes)
- Slow cooker/crockpot on low 6 to 8 hours or high heat 4 to 6 hours
Toppings
- any kinds of sliced olives
- any kinds of shredded cheese or queso
- chopped onions, jalapenos, diced tomatoes, diced peppers
- sour cream
- avocado slices or guacamole
- salsa
- corn
- crumbled bacon
- tortilla chips, or crackers
Tools
- 5 to 8-quart Dutch oven pot with cover
- optional: slow cooker/instant pot
- measuring cup
- knife for cutting chicken and vegetables
- cutting board
- food processor
- measuring spoons
Pin for later
Try Some of Our Other Favorite Recipes
Chili Mac
Hot Dog Chili
Vegetarian Chili
Fish Tacos with Chili Lime Sauce
Chicken Chili Lovers
We are fans of chicken chili and it's so versatile.
Again leftover chicken chili is great in a taco, on salads, and even over nachos so nothing goes to waste.
Perfect for feeding a large crowd and everyone loves this at a pot luck function.
Just get creative and set up a chili bar with assorted toppings with my suggestions above then when you build your bowl of chili this will be a great fun meal.
If you want a true white chili just check out the pure white chicken chili recipe below.
White Chicken Chili
Yield: 10
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 40 MinTotal time: 55 Min
This is a Southwestern-style white chili that was popular back in the 1980s. The chicken is simmered in a chili sauce with the addition of white beans.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 or 4 boneless chicken breasts cut into cubes(you can also use rotisserie chicken off the bone or ground chicken or leftover turkey, ground turkey chopped around 2 pounds)
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 3 cans cannellini beans drained see note below (I use one pound of dried beans and cook them separately first)
- Note for thicker chili: (2 cans cannellini keeping them whole beans and using 1 can slightly to be pureed in a food processor keeping them a just little chunky bits)
- 7 - ounce can of chopped mild chiles peppers, (or use bell green peppers chopped or any hot peppers)
- 15 ounce can of chicken broth plus 1 can of water (or more if it gets too thick)
- 1/2 cup diced plum fresh tomatoes or use canned
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste and an optional dash of cayenne pepper
- Note: for extra thick chili add 1 tablespoon fine masa (cornmeal) mixed with water and add to the pot while it's boiling at the end
- Optional: Sour cream, avocado slices, crumbled bacon, chopped onion, fresh cilantro, corn off the cob, black beans, salsa, freshly chopped sweet or hot peppers, chopped jalapeno peppers, shredded mozzarella, provolone, or white cheddar cheeses, crackers, garlic bread, croutons, or tortilla chips
Instructions
- Slice the chicken on a cutting board into cubes.
- Heat the oil in a 5- quart dutch oven (that has a cover) and add the chicken.
- Saute for two to three minutes until the chicken starts to brown.
- Add the garlic saute for one more minute then add the chile peppers, seasonings, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, beans, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Stir to blend.
- Add the last can of cannellini beans to a food processor and pulse a few times leaving them a little chunky.
- Stir in the pureed beans to the chicken chili.
- Simmer until the chili thickens and chicken is tender around 1 hour on medium heat.
- If the chili starts to thicken too much add more chicken broth or water.
- For slow cooker or instant pot, place on high for 4 to 6 hours.
- Serving Suggestions:
- Add some crushed tortilla chips, garlic croutons, garlic bread or oyster crackers, crumbled fried bacon on top of any of them listed in the ingredients section.
- For Pure White Chicken Chili here is an alternative recipe:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 (15.5 ounce) cans white beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can of chicken broth
- 2 (4 ounces) cans chopped green chiles
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground white (black) pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Stir this in at the end:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir chicken, and garlic into the hot oil until chicken juices run clear.
- Mix the beans, chicken broth, green chiles, salt, cumin, oregano, black pepper, and cayenne pepper into the chicken mixture; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer until flavors have blended about 30 minutes.
- Remove chili from heat and stir in sour cream and heavy cream until evenly blended.
Calories
452.54Fat (grams)
18.23Sat. Fat (grams)
5.31Carbs (grams)
40.18Fiber (grams)
9.56Net carbs
30.62Sugar (grams)
4.72Protein (grams)
33.90Sodium (milligrams)
659.45Cholesterol (grams)
64.08Pin for Later
Try Some More Of Our Favorite Recipes
Grandma's Home Chicken Soup
Italian Minestrone
Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 20013. It was edited and re-published in 2020.