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
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely dicedserrano pepper1:1heat
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- 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
- 2 15-ounce cans white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- ½ cup heavy cream
- fresh cilantro, chopped(optional)
- lime wedges(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- 2
Add onion, garlic, and jalapeño. Sauté until onion is translucent and vegetables are fragrant.
- 3
Add chicken chunks and season with cumin, oregano, coriander, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned on all sides.
- 4
Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes to meld flavors.
- 5
Add drained and rinsed white beans and frozen corn. Stir to combine.
- 6
Continue simmering for an additional 10-15 minutes until chicken is cooked through and flavors develop.
- 7
Stir in heavy cream and heat through for a few minutes.
- 8
Ladle into bowls, garnish with cilantro, and serve with lime wedges.
Tips
Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on desired heat level.
Use fresh lime juice if preferred over wedges.
Quality chicken broth enhances overall flavor.
Good to Know
Refrigerate in airtight container up to 4 days. Freezes well up to 3 months.
Prepare through step 5 up to 1 day ahead. Add cream and heat through before serving.
Ladle into bowls with fresh cilantro garnish and lime wedges on the side.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip sautéing aromatics to avoid flat, one-dimensional flavor
Do not skip simmering initial broth to avoid unmelded spice profile
Do not overcook chicken to avoid dry, stringy texture
Do not add cream too early to avoid risk of curdling during long simmer
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
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