Our Favorite White Chicken Chili - Updated! (2024)

by Tina Verrelli Leave a Comment

Our Favorite White Chicken Chili - Updated! (1)

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A little thicker – A little cheesy!

I decided to update the 2016 version of this recipe to make it more like the original White Chicken Chili I tasted at The American Bar and Grill over 25 years ago! I’m not even sure it’s the same restaurant as I don’t see the White Chicken Chili on their online menu, but for a recipe to linger in my heart for that long – it’s certainly worthy of an update.

Our Favorite White Chicken Chili - Updated! (2)

Originally, I made the chili more “brothy” in flavor and texture, but I’ve found myself wanting it to be a little thicker with just a touch of cheese melted in – just like I remember from all those years ago. When I first created my version of the recipe, I was worried that folks would have trouble with the cheese breaking (separating) if the chili was heated too hot, like it sometimes does in other cheesy recipes. I was also concerned that the cheese wouldn’t behave when the chili was frozen. Turns out I was wrong on both counts. I’m thinking the starch in the beans (especially the pureed beans) acts as a stabilizer for the 1 cup of cheese I melt into the recipe. But don’t worry – if you like the original “brothy” version – I’ve included instructions for that too in the Notes section of the recipe!

The Original Story:

I Begged the Chef for the White Chicken Chili Recipe…

Our Favorite White Chicken Chili - Updated! (3)

Chili that lingers in your brain for 25+ years had to have been pretty good! All I can remember is a steamy bowl of thick, cream-colored chicken chili that was not at all like thered style chiliI grew up with. It was after college in Lancaster, PA and I was with my friends Kim and Burke. We think it may have been at thisAmerican Bar and Grill, although I’m really not sure. All I can remember is sitting at the bar with cold beer, good friends and a delicious bowl of this white chili!! YUM! It was so good, I remember going back for it a few times and asking for the recipe each time. Finally, they relented and shared it with me! WooHoo! It was written in restaurant quantities with #10 cans of this and that…My sister and I tweaked the recipe early on and I have since worked on it some more…up until this version!

White Chicken Chili: Step-by-Step Photos:

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Love Chili? Me too! Check out my Other Chili Recipes:

Our Favorite 5-Star Beef Chili

Super flavorful classic beef chili with a secret ingredient! Not super spicy. Adjust thickness to your liking. Freezes really well! Great to make ahead!

Check out this recipe

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Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Turkey Chili

This chili is perfect for a cool autumn evening. The pumpkin lends a nice body to the chili and when combined with pumpkin pie spice adds a wonderful warm aroma and flavor to the dish. I brown (tan?) the turkey and then combine it and the rest of the ingredients in a slow-cooker – so it cooks itself. We love it served with a squeeze of lime, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and some crumbled tortilla chips, but you can top it with whatever you like!

Check out this recipe

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Cincinnati Chili – My Way

Real “parlor style” Cincinnati chili is thick and rich and had a tangy, slightly spicy and sweet flavor. To order at a chili parlor you need to know the chili lingo of 3-ways, 4-ways and Coneys. (The name Coney, is thought to have come from the NY Coney Island chili topped dogs.) It wasn’t until a few years ago that I started tinkering around with my own Cincinnati chili recipe. Chili parlor recipes and many family recipes are kept secret. So, it’s with trial and error that you develop your own formula. This is now our family favorite!

Check out this recipe

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Our Favorite White Chicken Chili - Updated! (16)

Our Favorite White Chicken Chili – Updated

I've updated my original 2016 White Chicken Chili Recipe! I made it a little thicker with some pureed cannellini beans and a little cheesy with some Monterey Jack cheese stirred in at the end of cooking. Now you can choose the original "brothy" version or the thicker and a little cheesy version. Whichever you choose, it's still easy to make and full of flavor! Perfect for make-ahead and for freezing too! See recipe changes in the recipe Notes.

Tina Verrelli – epicuricloud.com

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Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: beans, chicken, Chili, white chicken chili

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 Makes 4-6, depending on serving size

Equipment

  • 1 Chopper, blender or food processor to puree beans Alternatively, you could mash them by hand.

  • 1 Large pot for cooking, I used a 6qt. dutch oven

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (or 3 cups shredded leftover chicken)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped (canned or jarred work too)
  • 1 can (7 ounce can) green chilies
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 3 cans (14.5 ounce cans) low-sodium chicken broth (about 43.5 ounces total broth)
  • 2 cans (15.5 ounce cans) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro or parsley
  • 2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese, divided (8 oz block yields about 2 cups shredded)

Topping Options:

  • cilantro
  • lime wedges
  • pickled red onions
  • tortilla chips

Instructions

  • Heat large pot (5-6 quart) over medium heat.

  • Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.

  • Add 1-tablespoon oil to pot and brown chicken on both sides, reduce heat and cook for about 15 minutes or until cooked through.

  • While the chicken is browning, puree half of the drained and rinsed beans with about 1/2 cup of the chicken broth you will be using in the recipe. You can puree with a chopper, blender, food processor or mash them up with a fork. Set the pureed beans aside

  • Remove chicken to plate and tent with foil.

  • In same pot add 1-tablespoon oil, onions, celery and jalapeño. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently or until beginning to soften. The moisture from the veggies will loosen the browned bits from the bottom of the pot adding more flavor.

  • Add garlic, green chilies, cumin and oregano and cook, stirring frequently for another minute.

  • Add broth and bring to simmer.

  • Shred chicken.

  • Add whole beans, pureed beans and shredded chicken and maintain low simmer, partially covered, for 20-30 minutes.

  • Stir in 1 cup of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese, stir until it melts in.

  • Stir in cilantro or parsley.

Notes

Serving Size:

This recipe makes about 10 total cups chili. 4-6 servings, depending upon your serving size. We like to have it for our main dish for dinner (great with a salad and cornbread muffins!) For a main dish, it makes 4 servings.

Make Ahead:

You can make this recipe a day or two ahead of serving. Just refrigerate and reheat. It also freezes well for up to 6 months.

Updated White Chicken Chili Recipe Changes:

  • garlic – increase:1 teaspoon – 2 teaspoons
  • cumin – increase:1/2 teaspoon 1 teaspoon
  • broth – decrease: 48 ounces 3 (14.5 ounce cans) or 43.5 ounces
  • cheese – add: previously was just a topping, new recipe, you stir in 1 cup
  • beans – puree some: previously added 2 cans whole cannellini beans, new recipe, puree half the beans

Nutrition (approx. data estimated via online nutritional calculator.)

Calories: 329kcal (16%) | Carbohydrates: 4g (1%) | Protein: 34g (68%) | Fat: 19g (29%) | Saturated Fat: 8g (50%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 106mg (35%) | Sodium: 568mg (25%) | Potassium: 557mg (16%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 2g (2%) | Vitamin A: 444IU (9%) | Vitamin C: 7mg (8%) | Calcium: 311mg (31%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)

Tried this recipe?Share it! Tag @epicuricloud – Please Leave A Comment & Rating Below! TY!

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Our Favorite White Chicken Chili - Updated! (2024)

FAQs

How do you tone down spicy white chicken chili? ›

Add a generous dollop of sour cream, creme fraiche, or yogurt to scorching hot chili or stews, or even a touch of milk or cream. For best results, though, go with full-fat dairy. For tomato sauces and stews that don't want dairy, try shredding some cheese on top.

How do you thicken white chicken chili without cornstarch? ›

Add oats: If you don't have any leftover vegetables or beans, use quick oats to thicken your chili. Adding oats to your chili is also a healthy alternative to cornstarch and all-purpose flour.

What is white chili made of? ›

White chili is made with white beans, chicken (sometimes pork), and mild green chiles. (That said, if you must, must have scorching heat in your chili, there are ways to do that while still keeping the chili white.

Can you substitute chicken broth for water in chili? ›

The base of your chili determines the success of the dish! This flavor foundation plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall flavor. Instead of using plain water (please, never just use water), consider using stock, broth, or bone broth as your base to add richness and depth.

What can I add to chili to make it taste better? ›

Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.

Why is my white chicken chili watery? ›

Adding too much stock, broth, or water.

If your chili looks watery, you may have poured in more than required. Next time, add just a little at a time and increase the liquid as necessary.

Does tomato paste make chili thicker? ›

Not only will tomato paste add a tangy flavor to the dish, but it will also act as a thickening agent. For this purpose, you can use homemade or store-bought tomato paste. Add 1 can of the paste to your pot of chili, stir the mixture, and let it cook on medium heat for about 30 minutes.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Chili should be thick and hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but sometimes there's just a bit more liquid than you want in the pot. While you can simply keep simmering the chili, that method risks overcooking softer ingredients like the beans, losing all your nice texture to mushy monotony.

How do you thicken white chicken chili? ›

I love this crockpot chicken chili because the broth is slightly thick and luxurious. To thicken it, all you have to do is combine a splash of milk with gluten free flour (or regular flour if you don't need to eat GF) then drizzle the mixture into the crock pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Are cannellini beans the same as navy beans? ›

Cannellini beans are the largest of the group and because of their traditional kidney shape, they can also be referred to as White Kidney Beans. Meatier than Navy or Great Northern beans, they have a nutty, earthy flavor and tender flesh, and are often used in Italian dishes like Minestrone.

How do you make white chili thicker? ›

If you'd like to thicken it up even more, though, try one of these methods: Use a cornstarch slurry: Mix together equal parts cornstarch and cold water, then stir it into the chili.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

Is chili better the longer it cooks? ›

A low and slow cook time—at least an hour total—is key for drawing out the most flavor in a pot of chili. Yes, a quick chili is most welcome on weeknights, but it won't have quite the same results. A slow cooker works wonders, but if you're short on time, try a pressure cooker.

What to do if your chilli is too hot? ›

Grab that jug of milk, yogurt, or cottage cheese; it will save you. Researchers at the Sensory Evaluation Center at Penn State found that Kool-Aid is also an efficient way to douse the fire from chiles. But cold water is not your friend; it will simply move the hot capsaicin around your mouth and spread the heat.

How do you neutralize spicy chicken? ›

Sweeten Out the Spice

For some recipes, a touch of honey can help neutralize the intensity of spiciness. Sugar works to counteract the heat caused by capsaicin in peppers so adding a touch of honey or sugar can tone down a spicy dish.

How do you tone down over seasoned chili? ›

Dairy is one of the most effective and simple ways to counteract spice. This one is for you if you're not vegan or lactose intolerant and don't mind a little creaminess in your chili. You can add sour cream, cheese, or yogurt to the chili. This will help cool it down and make it more palatable.

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