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30-Minute Creamy White Chicken Chili with Cream Cheese

A close-up of a white bowl filled with creamy white chicken chili, featuring shredded chicken, white beans, and a sprinkle of cheese.
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This is the ultimate, easy, one-pot creamy white chicken chili recipe. You get tender shredded chicken and hearty white beans in a rich, velvety broth, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional, for zesty flavor)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for heat)
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles, undrained
  • 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast (rotisserie chicken works well)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional Garnishes: Shredded Monterey Jack cheese, fresh cilantro, avocado slices

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic and jalapeño (if using). Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the cumin, oregano, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, to toast the spices.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth. Add the rinsed cannellini beans and the undrained diced green chiles. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  5. Add the shredded chicken to the pot. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes so the flavors combine.
  6. Stir in the cubed cream cheese until it melts completely into the broth, creating a smooth, velvety texture.
  7. Stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half. Heat through gently, but do not boil after adding the dairy.
  8. Taste the chili and season generously with salt and black pepper.
  9. Serve hot with your favorite garnishes like cheese, cilantro, or avocado. This is a fantastic, quick homemade chili.

Notes

  • For an even quicker meal, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. This keeps the prep time under 15 minutes.
  • If you want a thicker chili, mash about 1/2 cup of the white beans against the side of the pot before adding the cream cheese.
  • This recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it a healthy white chili option.
  • For a slow cooker creamy chicken chili, combine all ingredients except the cream cheese and heavy cream in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours. Stir in the cream cheese and cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorzine.com/creamy-white-chicken-chili/