White Chicken Chili – Quick & Amazing Comfort Food

Name: White Chicken Chili – Quick & Amazing Comfort Food
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 large onion, diced; 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves); 2 cups chicken broth; 2 (14-ounce) cans Great Northern beans, drained; 2 (4-ounce) cans mild green chiles (with juices); 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced (or rotisserie chicken); 1 cup corn kernels; 2 teaspoons chili powder; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; ½ teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ⅔ cup sour cream; Optional: up to ¼ cup cornmeal for thickening

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There’s something about the first crisp evening of fall that makes me crave a bowl of something warm and cozy. This white chicken chili is exactly that creamy, comforting, and ready in under 30 minutes. It’s the kind of meal that fills your kitchen with the smell of garlic and cumin and your belly with quiet contentment.

About This White Chicken Chili

This isn’t your usual red chili.

White chicken chili is lighter, both in color and flavor. It swaps ground beef for tender chunks of chicken, red beans for creamy white ones, and tomato base for a mild broth kissed with sour cream.

Thanks to canned beans and rotisserie chicken, it comes together fast — just 25 minutes from start to finish. That makes it a favorite in my weeknight rotation. It also reheats beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep.

Even better, you can easily change it up. Add some leftover veggies from the fridge, toss in fresh corn, or stir in extra spice if that’s your style.

Key Ingredients & Why They Work

Chicken

You can use freshly diced chicken breast or shred a rotisserie chicken for even faster prep. I usually dice mine small so it cooks through quickly and stays tender.

White Beans

Great Northern beans are soft and mild, and they break down just a little as the chili simmers, adding body without extra work. You can also use cannellini or navy beans in a pinch.

Green Chiles

These mild canned green chiles add gentle heat and a rich, roasted flavor that makes the chili feel slow-cooked even when it’s not.

Spices

Chili powder brings warmth. Cumin adds a smoky edge. Oregano gives it that deep, homey flavor that makes every bite feel familiar.

Creaminess

Sour cream stirred in at the end gives the chili its signature velvety texture. It softens the spices and rounds out the broth. Don’t skip the tempering step — it prevents curdling.

If you like it thick, a little cornmeal stirred in right at the end will do the trick.

Optional Add-ins

I almost always throw in corn for sweetness. Celery or zucchini works great too if you’ve got them. This chili is flexible, which is part of its charm.

White chicken chili simmering in a pot on the stove with wooden spoon

Step-by-Step Instructions

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
Sauté the onion for about 4 minutes, until soft and golden.
Add the garlic, cooking for just 30 seconds. You’ll smell it right away.
Stir in the broth, beans, chiles (with their juices), chicken, corn, and spices. Bring it all to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. If using raw chicken, cook until fully done.
Temper the sour cream. Scoop out about ½ cup of hot chili and stir it into the sour cream in a bowl. Then stir that mixture back into the pot.
Thicken if needed. Sprinkle in cornmeal, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your preferred consistency.

White chicken chili in white bowl with spoon, topped with cheese and parsley — White Chicken Chili – Quick & Amazing Comfort Food 9

Tips for the Best White Chicken Chili

Adjust the spice by using hot green chiles or adding jalapeño with the onion.
To thicken, use cornmeal or mash some of the beans with a fork before adding them.
To thin, just stir in a little extra broth or water.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. It gets even tastier overnight.
Freeze it in zip-top bags or containers for up to 3 months.
Make it yours. Add chopped spinach, extra veggies, or even top it with tortilla chips or shredded cheese.

FAQs

What goes in white chicken chili?

It includes chicken, white beans, green chiles, onion, garlic, broth, corn, and a blend of warm spices. Sour cream gets stirred in at the end to make it creamy.

What are the four ingredients in white chicken chili?

If you’re going super simple, you can make a version with chicken, white beans, green chiles, and broth.

Why is it called white chicken chili?

Because it uses white beans and chicken instead of red beans and beef — and there’s no tomato base, so the color stays light and creamy.

What’s the difference between white chicken chili and regular chili?

Regular chili is tomato-based and made with ground beef and red beans. White chicken chili uses broth, chicken, and white beans, giving it a milder, creamier flavor.

White Chicken Chili Recipe (Recipe Card)

More Such Recipes

If you’re in the mood for more warm and cozy dishes, try this simple crockpot vegetarian chili for a meatless twist.
Craving something heartier? These creamy oven baked chicken thighs never disappoint.
And if you’re a fan of chili with a fun twist, check out my chili with pumpkin twist — it’s fall in a bowl.
For an easy Tex-Mex fix, the slow cooker chicken enchilada casserole is always a hit.

Final Thoughts

This white chicken chili is everything I love about comfort food. It’s warm, creamy, and full of flavor without feeling too heavy. I hope it finds a place at your table this season.

Try topping it with crushed tortilla chips, avocado, or a sprinkle of cheese. Better yet, share a photo or tell me how you made it your own. You’ll find more ideas and inspiration on Pinterest or on our Facebook page. Let’s keep cooking real meals together.