Creamy White Bean Chicken Chili Recipe

Prep: 15 minCook: 45 min6 servingsmediumAmerican
Creamy White Bean Chicken Chili Recipe

Comforting one-pot white bean and chicken chili with jalapeño heat, aromatic spices, and a rich cream finish. Chicken simmers with cumin, oregano, and coriander while white beans and corn add substance. Finished with heavy cream for silky texture and garnished with cilantro and lime.

Ingredients

6 servings
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
    serrano pepper1:1heat

    spicier profile

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into small chunks
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper(optional)
  • salt(optional)
  • pepper(optional)
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
    vegetable broth1:1liquid

    makes vegetarian

    Full guide →
  • 2 15-ounce cans white beans, drained and rinsed
    cannellini beans1:1legume

    flavor similar

    Full guide →
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels
    fresh cornequalvegetable

    seasonal alternative

    Full guide →
  • ½ cup heavy cream
    Greek yogurt or sour creamequaldairy

    adds tang

    Full guide →
  • fresh cilantro, chopped(optional)
  • lime wedges(optional)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

  2. 2

    Add onion, garlic, and jalapeño. Sauté until onion is translucent and vegetables are fragrant.

  3. 3

    Add chicken chunks and season with cumin, oregano, coriander, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned on all sides.

  4. 4

    Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes to meld flavors.

  5. 5

    Add drained and rinsed white beans and frozen corn. Stir to combine.

  6. 6

    Continue simmering for an additional 10-15 minutes until chicken is cooked through and flavors develop.

  7. 7

    Stir in heavy cream and heat through for a few minutes.

  8. 8

    Ladle into bowls, garnish with cilantro, and serve with lime wedges.

Tips

Tip 1

Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on desired heat level.

Tip 2

Use fresh lime juice if preferred over wedges.

Tip 3

Quality chicken broth enhances overall flavor.

Good to Know

Storage

Refrigerate in airtight container up to 4 days. Freezes well up to 3 months.

Make Ahead

Prepare through step 5 up to 1 day ahead. Add cream and heat through before serving.

Serve With

Ladle into bowls with fresh cilantro garnish and lime wedges on the side.

See pairing guide →

Common Mistakes

Watch

Do not skip sautéing aromatics to avoid flat, one-dimensional flavor

Watch

Do not skip simmering initial broth to avoid unmelded spice profile

Watch

Do not overcook chicken to avoid dry, stringy texture

Watch

Do not add cream too early to avoid risk of curdling during long simmer

Substitutions

Dairy-Free Swaps

heavy cream
Greek yogurt or sour creamequaldairy

adds tang

Full guide →

General Alternatives

white beans
cannellini beans1:1legume

flavor similar

Full guide →
frozen corn
fresh cornequalvegetable

seasonal alternative

Full guide →
jalapeño
serrano pepper1:1heat

spicier profile

chicken broth
vegetable broth1:1liquid

makes vegetarian

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →