White chicken chili is a hearty, comforting stew, made with white meat chicken, corn, cannelini beans, chopped chiles, and spices. It comes together easily and inexpensively, making it a perfect weeknight dinner or game day meal.
Fall seems like the perfect time to enjoy chili. It’s also a great time to have a chili bar.
Make a Chili Bar
For toppings, put out shredded cheese, chopped onions, cilantro, sour cream, chips and salsa, and let the guests make their own bowls. Serve homemade cornbread and a big green salad on the side.
It’s such a simple, hearty dinner, and with very little effort. For dessert, how about Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes?
What makes white chili “white”?
I got this white chicken chili recipe, from a friend, more than twenty years ago. It was the first time I’d ever tried “white chili”.
This version use white chicken meat, white cannelini beans and chicken broth. Instead of chili powder and tomatoes, this recipe gets its flavor from cumin and oregano. If you want a really white chicken chili, you can use white corn instead of yellow corn.
It’s definitely not a spicy chili, so if you like more heat, add more chiles or chili powder, as desired. Canned jalapenos come in a variety of heat levels.
Can you make White Chicken Chili ahead?
Yes! You can make it the day before and just warm up on the stove or in a slow-cooker. It’s even better the second day.
Can you make White Chicken Chili in a crock-pot?
Absolutely! Add all the ingredients and set to low for 5 hours. Alternatively, you can make the chili and just keep in warm in the slow cooker or crock-pot.
Some of the items used in this post are available at my Amazon Affiliate Store.
White Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 4 cups cooked chicken white or dark meat chicken, about 2 large chicken breasts, shredded or diced
- 3-4 cups chicken broth depending on how thick you like it.
- 1 or 2 cans of chopped green chilies
- 2-3 teaspoons cumin
- 2-3 teaspoons oregano
- 2 Tablespoons lemon or lime juice
- 4 cans of white beans either Great Northern or cannellini, rinsed and drained
- 1 bag of frozen corn
- salt and pepper to taste
- Chili powder optional, depending on how hot you like it.
- Grated cheese sour cream, sliced or chopped onions, cilantro and chips to garnish
Instructions
- Saute onions 3-4 minutes in a large pot, add garlic and sauté another minute.
- Add everything else
- Bring to a boil and reduce heat.
- Simmer on low until hot.
- Season to taste,
Leslie Macchiarella says
Looks like fun! I’m all over your pumpkin pancakes. They look delish!
Cynthia says
They’re perfect for this time of year too!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
This sounds awesome Cynthia! Love a good White Chili recipe, always so refreshing and perfect recipe for the first week of fall! 🙂
Jodie@Jodies Kitchen says
Sounds like you all had a wonderful time.Everyone did a great job on the pumpkins.I feel you on those pumpkin seeds too.I hate having to clean but love to eat.
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
I love white chili so much, this looks just perfect for those colder, darker nights coming at us soon!
Cynthia says
It makes plenty for leftovers and lunches too!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
So fun, love all these photos! This chicken chili sounds delicious!
Cynthia says
Thank you kimberly!
Ginny McMeans says
That is a beautiful chili! Love the pumpkin carving story too 🙂
Cynthia says
Thank you Ginny!
fabiola@notjustbaked says
Super pretty chili! Pinning for a cooler day!
Cynthia says
Thank you Fabiola!
Susan says
Looks like a fun event and those pumpkins look awesome! This chili looks perfect for a cold night!
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says
This looks so healthy and hearty! I might make as soon as the weather cools down here in San Diego.
Cynthia says
Yes, it’s both hearty and healthy!
Carol Borchardt says
Those are some awesome-looking pumpkins along with this chili! I love white chicken chili and your version looks wonderful! Pinned to try this fall!
Cynthia says
Thanks carol. I wish I could take credit for the pumpkins! My husband is the expert carver!
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
What a fun evening of pumpkin carving! And this really does look like the perfect chili to serve at an event like that – mild and kid-friendly, with lots of fun toppings and the option to spice it up if you’re a spice lover. Really great … and with fall coming and all the football and tailgating that goes with it, it’s the perfect time for this recipe, all over again this fall! 😀
Cynthia says
Thanks Shelly, it really is my go-to recipe for feeding a crowd easily. And like you said, you can keep all the add-ins on the side so everyone can dress it up to their liking!
allie says
What a great chili recipe and I can’t get over the beautiful carved pumpkins! Masterpieces for sure.What a fun youth group activity.
Cynthia says
Thank you Allie! My husband is the “Master carver” in our family!
Healhty Seasonal Recipes says
Love make-ahead simple and delicious meals. Especially ones that use leftover chicken! Awesome recipe!!
Cynthia says
Yes, and this is so fast and easy!
Carol says
This looks fabulous and simple! Just wish our weather would behave as it should in February instead of being salad weather!! I will try this soon, anyway.
Cynthia says
right? I can’t believe what a warm year it’s been so far!
Carol says
Made your White Chicken Chili again tonight when my husband asked for chili for dinner. Nothing better for another cold rainy day! So tasty and warming. Thanks for the great recipe!
Cynthia says
That’s so awesome! It certainly has been “soup and chili” weather for sure!