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Creamy White Chicken Chili Recipe Easy Comfort Food with Cream Cheese

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A rich and comforting creamy white chicken chili featuring tender chicken, white beans, and tangy cream cheese for a velvety texture. Perfect for cozy dinners and easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680 g)
  • 2 cans (15 oz / 425 g each) great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 4 cups (960 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 can (4 oz / 113 g) diced mild green chilies
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • A handful fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Pat dry chicken breasts and season lightly with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, being careful not to burn.
  4. Stir in cumin, oregano, chili powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Toast spices for about 30 seconds.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and add chicken breasts. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through (165°F / 74°C internal temperature).
  6. Remove chicken and shred with forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot.
  7. Add drained beans and diced green chilies to the pot and stir.
  8. Cut softened cream cheese into chunks and stir into chili until melted and creamy.
  9. Simmer gently for another 10 minutes to blend flavors. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  10. Ladle chili into bowls, garnish with chopped cilantro, and serve with lime wedges.

Notes

If chili is too thick, add more broth or water to loosen. For thicker chili, simmer uncovered a few extra minutes. Soften cream cheese before adding to avoid clumps. Rinse canned beans to reduce sodium and canned flavor. Use leftover cooked chicken by adding it in the last 10 minutes of simmering. For spicier chili, add jalapeños or extra cayenne pepper. Dairy-free options include coconut cream or dairy-free cream cheese. Vegetarian version can be made by omitting chicken and using vegetable broth with extra beans or plant-based protein.

Nutrition

Keywords: white chicken chili, creamy chili, comfort food, cream cheese chili, easy chicken chili, weeknight dinner, cozy meal

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/creamy-white-chicken-chili-recipe-easy-comfort-food-with-cream-cheese/