Description
A creamy, dairy-free white chicken chili that is ready in 30 minutes. This easy weeknight dinner uses cream cheese for richness and requires minimal prep, making it a perfect comfort food for busy families.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cans (15oz each) white beans (Cannellini or Great Northern), undrained
- 32 oz chicken broth (low-sodium)
- 1 can (4oz) mild diced green chiles, including liquid
- 8 oz cream cheese (full-fat or plant-based alternative)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon pure chili powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1–2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Cut chicken into cubes, mince garlic, and measure spices.
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add cumin and chili powder, cooking for 30 seconds to toast.
- Add chicken cubes, season with salt and pepper, and brown for 5-7 minutes until browned on all sides.
- Pour in chicken broth, green chiles (with liquid), and undrained beans. Stir to scrape up browned bits.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove pot from heat. Add cream cheese in chunks and stir gently until completely melted and smooth.
- Use a potato masher to mash about half of the beans against the side of the pot to thicken the chili.
- Stir in lime juice and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately topped with fresh cilantro, avocado slices, and lime wedges.
Notes
Do not rinse the white beans; the starchy liquid helps thicken the chili. Let cream cheese come to room temperature before adding to ensure smooth melting. For a dairy-free version, use plant-based cream cheese and vegetable broth. The chili tastes better the next day as flavors meld.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 6
- Protein: 35
Keywords: white chicken chili, dairy-free chili, cream cheese chili, easy weeknight dinner, healthy chili, copycat recipe, slow cooker chili, instant pot chili