Description
Ultra-simple white chicken chili with just 5 ingredients! Ready in 20 minutes. Creamy, delicious, and perfect for exhausted weeknights when you need comfort food with zero stress.
Ingredients
- 2–3 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie, shredded, or canned)
- 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans (Great Northern or cannellini), drained
- 2 cans (4 oz each) diced green chiles (mild or hot)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh cilantro, lime juice, avocado, tortilla strips, sour cream for topping
Instructions
- Combine Everything: In a large pot, add cooked chicken, drained white beans, diced green chiles, chicken broth, and softened cream cheese.
- Heat: Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce Heat: Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Melt Cream Cheese: Make sure the cream cheese melts completely into the broth, stirring until no lumps remain.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the chili and add salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and serve immediately. Add optional toppings if desired: fresh cilantro, lime juice, avocado, tortilla strips, or sour cream.
Notes
Softened Cream Cheese: Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Cold cream cheese creates lumps.
Stir Frequently: Stir often while cream cheese melts to prevent lumps and ensure even heating.
Do Not Boil: Keep heat at medium-low after adding cream cheese to prevent breaking.
Quality Broth Matters: Since this is minimalist, broth quality directly impacts flavor. Choose good-quality broth.
Shred Finely: Finely shredded chicken distributes better throughout chili.
Save Bean Liquid: Save splash of canned bean liquid for natural creaminess.
Taste Before Seasoning: Add salt and pepper at the end after tasting.
Storage: Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on stovetop over low heat.
Freezer Friendly: Freeze for up to 3 months in individual portions. Thaw overnight before reheating.
Elevate with Toppings: Even simple, use quality fresh toppings for best results.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Main Course, Soup, Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg