Healthy White Chicken Chili (Easy & Dairy-Free!)
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Hearty and comforting, this healthy white chicken chili is made with chicken, corn, white beans, chopped chiles, and spices. It comes together easily on the stovetop or in the crockpot. I know you’ll love this inexpensive weeknight dinner, potluck entree, or game day meal.
What Makes White Chili “White”?
This chili uses white chicken meat, white cannellini beans and chicken broth. Instead of chili powder and tomatoes, this recipe gets its flavor from cumin and oregano. If you want a truly white chicken chili, you can use white corn instead of yellow corn.
How to Make This Healthy White Chicken Chili
The best part about this recipe is how quick and easy it is, especially if you’re starting with leftover white chicken. I usually buy a rotisserie chicken if I don’t have any leftovers.
Once you get past the initial saute of the onions and garlic, just toss in the remaining ingredients and cook until hot and bubbly.
You can make this easy white chicken chili in a crock pot or on the stovetop.
To make stovetop white chicken chili:
- Saute the onions and garlic in a large Dutch oven until soft
- Add pre-cooked diced or shredded chicken
- Stir in the chiles
- Add frozen white or yellow corn
- Bring to a simmer and cook until hot, about 30-35 minutes
To make crockpot white chicken chili, start by sauteing the onions and garlic in a large Dutch oven until soft. Then add all the ingredients to the slow cooker/crock-pot and set to low for 5 hours.
Making Spicy White Chicken Chili
Unlike most chilis, this recipe is not particularly spicy. If you want your healthy crockpot white chicken chili to be spicier, feel free to add more chiles or even some chili powder for additional heat.
While the original recipe calls for canned chilies, if you have Hatch chilies on hand, definitely use them! I make this healthy white bean chicken chili with Hatch chilies whenever I have them and I use canned chilies when I don’t.
If you love Hatch chiles or would like more recipes using them, I have a delicious and low-carb Hatch Chile Rellenos Casserole, Hatch Chile Egg Bites and a Hatch Chile and Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
What to Serve With White Chicken Chili
Healthy white chicken chili is the perfect party, potluck or game day food. There are several delicious accompaniments you can serve with this hearty, flavorful meal. You can even create a chili bar by setting out all the options and letting your guests mix and match to suit their taste preferences and dietary needs.
Here are some popular options:
- Homemade Cornbread
- Tortilla Chips
- Rice
- Avocado or Guacamole
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
- Shredded Cheese
- Salsa
- Cilantro
- Lime Wedges
- Sliced Jalapeños
- Sliced Radishes
- Grilled or Roasted Vegetables.
Or serve a big green salad as a refreshing side dish to balance the richness of the chili.
This dairy free white chicken chili can be made ahead of time for any occasion. Just warm it up on the stovetop or in a slow-cooker. It’s even better the second day!
Healthy White Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups cooked chicken white or dark meat chicken, about 2 large chicken breasts, shredded or diced
- 4-5 cups chicken broth Less broth for a thicker chili, more for a thinner, ore soup-like consistency.
- 8 ounces green chilies chopped (canned or frozen Hatch)
- 2-3 teaspoons cumin powder
- 2-3 teaspoons dried oregano
- 3 cans white beans Great Northern or cannellini, rinsed and drained
- 3 cups frozen corn
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons lemon or lime juice
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat oil over a medium heat until shimmering. Add chopped onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and sauté another minute.
- Add chicken broth, chicken, chiles, beans, corn and spices and seasonings.
- Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer on low until hot, about 30-35 minutes.
- Add lime or lemon juice and adjust seasonings, adding more salt and pepper if necessary.
Crock Pot Instructions
- Follow first step above. Add onions and garlic to crock-pot add remaining ingredients and set slow-cooker or crock-pot to low.
- Heat on low until hot, about 6 hours.
Looks like fun! I’m all over your pumpkin pancakes. They look delish!
They’re perfect for this time of year too!
This sounds awesome Cynthia! Love a good White Chili recipe, always so refreshing and perfect recipe for the first week of fall! 🙂
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.
I love white chili so much, this looks just perfect for those colder, darker nights coming at us soon!
It makes plenty for leftovers and lunches too!
So fun, love all these photos! This chicken chili sounds delicious!
Thank you kimberly!
That is a beautiful chili! Love the pumpkin carving story too 🙂
Thank you Ginny!
Super pretty chili! Pinning for a cooler day!
Thank you Fabiola!
Looks like a fun event and those pumpkins look awesome! This chili looks perfect for a cold night!
This looks so healthy and hearty! I might make as soon as the weather cools down here in San Diego.
Yes, it’s both hearty and healthy!
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!
Thanks carol. I wish I could take credit for the pumpkins! My husband is the expert carver!
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! 😀
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!
What a great chili recipe and I can’t get over the beautiful carved pumpkins! Masterpieces for sure.What a fun youth group activity.
Thank you Allie! My husband is the “Master carver” in our family!
Love make-ahead simple and delicious meals. Especially ones that use leftover chicken! Awesome recipe!!
Yes, and this is so fast and easy!
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.
right? I can’t believe what a warm year it’s been so far!
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!
That’s so awesome! It certainly has been “soup and chili” weather for sure!
What a hearty and flavor filled chili! One my family will definitely enjoy.
Thank you!
I’ve just put this in the slow cooker and it smells amazing! Thanks for a great recipe.
perfect in slow-cooker, stove or crock-pot!
This chili is so hearty and comforting. Love that it gets its flavor from cumin and oregano. Unique yet delicious!
Yes, a bit different than regular chili
Such a delicious and easy chili to make, perfect for cold rainy days! Yum!
yes indeed. Great for cool days!
Looks so delicious! Perfect for spring, will be making it soon.
Definitely lighter than regular chili
I love regular beef chili – cant wait to try this! The ingredients look really intriguing!
Yes, it’s a nice change from regular chili…a little lighter.
So delicious and easy!
thank you!
Love love love this. Why have I never made chicken chili? I didn’t grow up with chili at all. The first time I experienced it was in Dallas, so maybe that’s why I just think there’s only “one” way to make chili, meaning beef. I absolutely love all of the ingredients in your white chili so I’m printing it and will make it! Thaks!
This recipe is insanely easy and oh, so delicious! Where has it been all my life! I like it better than beef chili! Thanks for the recipe!
thanks so much! I agree, it’s lighter than beef chili
All your projects are very impressive. Looking forward to see what is next.