White Bean Chicken Chili (Printable)

Tender chicken and creamy white beans simmered with spices for a flavorful, hearty main dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
02 - 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 large poblano pepper, diced
06 - 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and minced
07 - 1 cup frozen or fresh corn kernels

→ Liquids and Pantry

08 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
11 - Juice of 1 lime

→ Spices and Herbs

12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
15 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
16 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
17 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
18 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
19 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic, poblano pepper, and jalapeño; sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
02 - Add ground cumin, dried oregano, ground coriander, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the spices release their aromatic oils.
03 - Add shredded chicken, drained white beans, corn kernels, diced green chilies, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
04 - Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
05 - Stir in fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro. Taste the chili and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
06 - Ladle into bowls and serve hot. Offer optional toppings on the side, such as diced avocado, sliced jalapeños, Greek yogurt, or shredded cheese.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you'd think—perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something that tastes like you actually tried.
  • The creamy white beans and tender chicken strike this magical balance between hearty and light, so you won't feel weighed down afterward.
  • All those spices create genuine depth without requiring exotic ingredients or complicated techniques.
02 -
  • If you find the chili tastes a little flat at the end, it's almost always asking for more salt or lime juice—don't reach for more spices, just balance what you have.
  • If you want extra creaminess without dairy, mash about half a cup of the white beans before adding them to the pot, and they'll break down during cooking and create a silky texture.
03 -
  • Rotisserie chicken is genuinely a game-changer here—it's already seasoned, it shreds easily, and it saves you 20 minutes of cooking time that you can spend on something else.
  • If you can't find poblano peppers at your grocery store, ask the produce person when they're getting them in, or just use green bell peppers and add an extra half-teaspoon of cumin to make up for the depth you're missing.
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