Description
Low-carb, high-fat keto white chicken chili with zero beans! Creamy cream cheese and heavy cream base, tender chicken, vegetables, and green chiles. Perfect for keto meal prep. Only 5g net carbs per serving!
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon (optional but recommended)
- 2–3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bell peppers (any color), diced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 2 cans (4 oz each) diced green chiles (mild or hot)
- 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium, sugar-free)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 limes, juiced (optional)
- Optional toppings: crispy bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, fresh cilantro, avocado, jalapeños
Instructions
- Cook Bacon (Optional): In a large pot, cook 4 slices bacon until crispy. Chop bacon and set aside. Keep 1 tbsp bacon fat in pot.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion to pot and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add Chicken and Spices: Add diced chicken breasts, 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Add Broth and Vegetables: Add chicken broth, diced bell peppers, diced zucchini, and canned green chiles. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and vegetables are tender.
- Add Cream and Cream Cheese: Reduce heat to low. Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and 8 oz softened cream cheese, stirring frequently until melted and smooth.
- Add Bacon Back: Stir cooked bacon back into chili if using.
- Taste and Adjust: Add more salt, cumin, oregano, or squeeze of lime juice as needed.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls. Optional toppings: crispy bacon, shredded cheddar, fresh cilantro, avocado, or jalapeños.
Notes
Use Full-Fat Everything: Full-fat cream, full-fat cream cheese, whole butter. Fat is the fuel in keto.
Choose Fattier Chicken: Thighs have more fat than breasts. Use thighs if available for extra richness.
Bacon is Your Friend: Bacon fat adds flavor and keeps you in ketosis. Don’t skip the bacon option.
Soften Cream Cheese First: Let reach room temperature before adding to prevent lumps. Stir constantly while melting.
Do Not Boil After Adding Cream: Keep heat at low-medium after adding cream to prevent curdling or separation.
Skip the Beans: Beans spike blood sugar. Vegetables and cream replace them perfectly.
Track Your Macros: Approximately 5g net carbs, 28g fat, 32g protein per serving perfect for keto.
Check Green Chiles: Most canned varieties are keto-friendly but check labels for added sugar.
Add Lime for Brightness: Fresh lime juice at the end brightens richness without adding carbs.
Meal Prep Portions: Cool completely, then portion into containers for grab-and-go keto meals.
Storage: Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months in individual portions.
Reheat Gently: Reheat on stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently. Microwave can cause cream to separate.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Main Course, Soup, Stew, Keto
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex, Keto-Friendly
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 125mg