Creamy White Chicken Chili

Creamy White Chicken Chili - a delicious variation of traditional chili, made with lean chicken breast, white beans and a blend of spices in a creamy low fat cream cheese sauce.

Stove Top Creamy White Chicken Chili

While there are many ways to cook white chicken chili from slow cooker, to oven to even in a pressure cooker. For me the best way is on the stove top in my casserole pot, I just prefer how quick and easy it is using some leftover cooked chicken and the simmering helps it to develop a rich and flavoursome sauce.

Sometimes flavours can be lost in a slow cooker and chicken (especially breast) can easily overcook and becomes stringy.

Also unlike a traditional chili which I prefer to let simmer for sometimes over an hour, this is so much quicker and is my go to recipe when I have some leftover chicken to use up.

Ingredients for Creamy White Chicken Chili

In this easy recipe for White Chicken Chili, I use the following staples

• Onion
• Garlic
• Jalapenos
• Blend of spices - cumin, oregano, paprika, cayenne
• Green Bell Pepper
• Canned white beans
• Chicken Stock
• Cooked shredded chicken
• Light Cream Cheese (Philadelphia or stores own brand)
• Olive Oil Spray

See recipe card for quantities.

How to cook shredded chicken for recipes

Although I often have some cooked shredded chicken leftover, especially if i have roasted or chicken at the weekend or cooked some for salads and sandwiches, often a recipe may called for cooked shredded chicken which you don't have on hand. So how can you quickly prep some shredded cooked chicken to add in to recipes.

The quickest and best method is to poach in some broth, it keeps the chicken lovely and tender while the broth adds flavour.

Just add uncooked chicken breasts to a large saucepan, you can keep the whole, or to cook slightly quicker, slice into about 3-4 even sized pieces, don't go too small or they will be hard to shred and over cook). Then cover with chicken stock, bring to a boil and simmer for about 8-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked and no longer pink.

Remove from the pan, allow to cool slightly and then shred with two forks or you can pull apart with hands (make sure the chicken is cool enough to touch if you are doing this). Then you can use this chicken in any recipes that calls for cooked chicken breast.

Best type of beans for Creamy White Chicken Chili

Cannellini Beans (or white kidney beans) are typically used for Creamy White Chicken Chili, however any type of canned white bean is fine.

Such as:

• Navy beans
• Great Northern Beans

There the butter bean (baby lima beans), but I would use those as a very last resort, as some can be harder in texture and not the best for chilli. As well as these there are various types of other beans, but as this is a white chicken chili, white beans are the best options.

If you want to use some dried white beans you have on hand you can of course use those also, but you will need to soak overnight and cook first.

What kind of pan is best for cooking chili?

Any large stove top casserole pot with a lid is the best for chili. I love my Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven by Le Creuset and also my Perfect Pot from Our Place. But you really don't need an expensive brand of pot. So long as it is deep enough and has a lid it will work perfectly.

If you are looking to invest in new one however, I recommend looking for one that can be used on both the stove top and in the oven.

Dairy Free Version of Creamy White Chilli Chicken

If you want to make this dairy free, swap 400ml of stock for a 400ml can of light coconut milk. Then you can mash some of the white beans for thickness or add in a tablespoon or two of cornstarch to thicken more if needed.

To make a cornstarch slurry, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with approx 2 tablespoons of water until paste like and then stir into liquid you wish to thicken and simmer until it thickens (this can take up to 8 minutes).

Toppings for Creamy White Chili Chicken

Unlike chilli con carne which often is served with cooked white rice, White Chili Chicken is best just served in a bowl with some yummy toppings of your choice. Here are some of our favourites.

• Grated Cheddar
• Sliced Jalapenos (sliced or jarred)
• Soured Cream or Greek Yoghurt
• Fresh Coriander
• Sliced Green Onions
• Lime Wedges
• Fresh Avocado or guacamole
• Tortilla Chips

Freezing

This white chili chicken is great for batch cooking and freezing. To freeze I recommend freezing in one portion containers, that way you can just take out what you need.

To reheat, fully defrost in the fridge and then gently heat in a pan over a low heat until heated through. Because it contains cream cheese you may need to add in a little stock to loosen the sauce.

More Chili (Chilli) Recipes

Looking for some other low calorie chili recipes to try? Check out these below options.

• Beef and Pinto Bean Chilli
• Chickpea Vegetable Chilli (Stove Top and Instant Pot)
• Turkey Chilli (Stove Top and Instant Pot)
• Best Ever Rich Chilli Con Carne
• Beef and Six Bean Chilli (Stove Top, Instant Pot and Slow Cooker)
• Instant Pot Chocolate Chilli
• Sweet Potato, Vegetable and Lentil Chilli
• Beef and Roasted Butternut Squash Chilli

or if you would like more recipe ideas - head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious recipes with calories and you can search by meal type, ingredients, course, diet and more..

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