Creamy White Chicken Chili for Cozy Weeknights

This comforting white chili turns cooked chicken, pantry beans and mild green chiles into a generous one-pot dinner. Mashing a portion of the beans gives the broth body without a heavy flour base. Keep the heat gentle, then let everyone choose their own toppings.

Prep: 15 minutes · Cook: 25 minutes · Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, optional
• 2 cans (4 ounces each) mild diced green chiles
• 3 cans (15 ounces each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
• 1 tablespoon lime juice, plus more to taste
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Cilantro, avocado and tortilla chips, for serving

How to Make It

1. Warm the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring, until soft. Add garlic, cumin, oregano and optional cayenne; stir for 30 seconds.
2. Stir in the green chiles, beans and broth. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Mash about a cup of beans against the side of the pot to thicken the broth.
3. Add the cooked chicken and corn. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is hot. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese a few pieces at a time until smooth.
4. Add lime juice. Taste before seasoning with salt and pepper, since broth and cooked chicken vary. Ladle into bowls and add the toppings just before serving.

Tips for the Best Result

For a looser chili, add broth a splash at a time. Use mild chiles for a family-friendly base and offer hot sauce at the table. Avoid boiling after the cream cheese goes in.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerate in shallow covered containers within 2 hours. Keep for up to 3 days and reheat gently, stirring and adding a little broth, until steaming hot throughout (165°F).

Image: AI-generated serving illustration. Cooking times are approximate; use the texture and temperature cues above.