Description
This delicious and hearty chicken white bean chili combines tender shredded chicken, creamy white beans, and a blend of aromatic spices to create a comforting dish perfect for any season. Enhanced with melted Monterey Jack cheese and optional blending for a creamy texture, it’s a crowd-pleaser garnished with sour cream, cilantro, and jalapeño slices.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese & Toppings
- 1 ½ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Sour cream (for topping)
- Chopped cilantro (for topping)
- Additional shredded cheese (for topping)
- Jalapeño slices (for topping)
Instructions
- Saute Onion and Garlic: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Then add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Main Ingredients: Stir in the shredded chicken, white beans, and diced green chilies to the pot. Mix everything well to combine.
- Add Liquids and Spices: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir in the ground cumin, chili powder, oregano, and ground white pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Add Creaminess: For a richer, creamier texture, use an immersion blender to partially blend the chili directly in the pot, or transfer 2 cups of the chili to a blender, blend until smooth, and return it to the pot. This step is optional but recommended.
- Melt Cheese: Stir in the shredded Monterey Jack cheese until fully melted, enriching the chili with a creamy, cheesy consistency.
- Final Seasoning and Simmer: Adjust the salt and pepper to your taste. Let the chili simmer for another 5 minutes to develop flavor and thicken slightly.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the chili into bowls and garnish with sour cream, chopped cilantro, additional shredded cheese, jalapeño slices, and tortilla chips if desired for a delightful crunch.
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds great flavor.
- Partial blending of the chili is optional but creates a creamier texture.
- Adjust the spice levels by adding extra jalapeños or chili powder if you prefer more heat.
- Tortilla chips as a topping add a pleasant crunch contrast.
- This chili can be prepared ahead and reheated; flavors often deepen after resting.
