Description

A thick, creamy, and smoky white chicken chili that captures the essence of autumn. This comforting dish balances rich dairy with bright green chiles and lime, making it perfect for chilly evenings.

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans (4-ounce each) diced green chiles
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup sour cream
4 cups chicken broth (low-sodium)
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 cans (15-ounce each) white beans (cannellini or navy), rinsed and drained
1 cup corn (optional)
2 tablespoons butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Shredded Monterey Jack cheese for topping
Fresh cilantro for topping
Crushed tortilla chips for topping

Instructions

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Sear in a large skillet with oil over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side until golden. Remove, rest for 5 minutes, then shred.
In the same skillet, melt butter. Sauté diced onions for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Transfer onion and garlic mixture to a large Dutch oven. Add cumin, chili powder, and oregano; toast for 1 minute.
Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the skillet. Add shredded chicken, green chiles, white beans, and corn.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes to meld flavors.
Remove from heat. Stir in heavy cream and sour cream gradually. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Stir in lime juice. Serve hot topped with Monterey Jack cheese, fresh cilantro, and crushed tortilla chips.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, swap chicken for extra beans and mushrooms. To freeze, omit the dairy components as cream separates when thawed. The chili tastes better the next day as flavors meld. Toasting spices before adding liquid enhances flavor depth.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 450
Sugar: 6
Sodium: 600
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 10
Carbohydrates: 40
Fiber: 8
Protein: 35

Keywords: white chicken chili, fall recipes, creamy chili, green chiles, comfort food, meal prep, autumn dinner