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Cozy White Chili Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 149 reviews

Cozy White Chili Chicken is a comforting and creamy twist on traditional chili, featuring tender cubes of chicken breast, creamy great Northern beans, and a mild, flavorful blend of green chiles and aromatic spices. This recipe creates a velvety, ivory-colored chili perfect for chilly evenings, offering all the warmth and satisfaction of classic chili without the heaviness of tomato-based versions.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Dairy

  • 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into ½-inch cubes
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream

Vegetables

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 (4 ounce) cans chopped green chiles

Pantry & Seasonings

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 (15.5 ounce) cans great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth (plus extra if desired for thinner consistency)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. While it warms, ensure the chicken breast is cut into uniform ½-inch cubes for even cooking.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Add the cubed chicken to the hot oil and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pieces are golden brown on most sides and cooked through, ensuring flavorful color.
  3. Sauté Onions: Add the chopped onion to the pot with the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion softens and turns translucent, picking up the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  4. Add Garlic: Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
  5. Combine Beans, Broth, and Chiles: Add the rinsed and drained great Northern beans, chicken broth, and chopped green chiles. Stir gently to combine. For a thinner chili, add an extra cup of chicken broth here.
  6. Season the Chili: Add salt, ground cumin, dried oregano, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices throughout the mixture.
  7. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes. This simmering allows the flavors to meld and the liquid to reduce slightly.
  8. Add Dairy and Finish: Remove the pot from heat and allow it to cool for 2-5 minutes to prevent curdling. Gradually stir in the sour cream and heavy whipping cream until fully incorporated, creating a creamy, smooth chili. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

  • For a thinner, more soup-like consistency, add an extra cup of chicken broth when combining liquids and beans.
  • Allowing the chili to cool slightly before adding sour cream and heavy cream prevents the dairy from curdling.
  • Use uniform chicken cubes to ensure even cooking and better texture.
  • Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to control the heat level based on preference.
  • This chili pairs beautifully with cornbread or a fresh green salad.

Keywords: white chili, chicken chili, great Northern beans, creamy chili, stovetop chili, comfort food

Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/cozy-white-chili-chicken-recipe/