Creamy White Chicken Chili
Tender chicken thighs, great northern beans, green chiles, cumin, cream cheese, lime, and cilantro come together in a creamy white chili ready in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 15-ounce cans no-salt-added great northern beans, rinsed and divided
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil such as canola or avocado oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt divided
- 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion about 1 medium onion
- 5 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 cups unsalted chicken broth
- 2 4-ounce cans chopped green chiles, undrained
- 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
Mash half the beans:
- Place half of the rinsed great northern beans in a medium bowl. Mash with a potato masher or sturdy whisk until mostly smooth. Keep the remaining beans whole.
Brown the chicken with cumin:
- Heat the neutral oil in a large heavy pot over high heat. Add the chicken, cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is browned on several sides.
Soften the onion and garlic:
- Add the chopped onion, garlic, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion is translucent and tender.
Simmer the chili:
- Add the whole beans, mashed beans, chicken broth, and undrained green chiles. Stir while scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a boil, reduce to medium heat, and simmer until the chicken reaches 165°F, about 3 minutes.
Make it creamy and finish:
- Remove the pot from the heat. Add the cream cheese and stir until completely melted and smooth. Stir in the lime juice. Ladle into bowls and finish with fresh cilantro.
CHEF’S TIP
Mash only half of the beans so the chili gets a creamy body while still keeping whole beans for texture.
Remove the pot from direct heat before adding the cream cheese for the smoothest broth.
If leftovers become thick, loosen them with a small splash of chicken broth during gentle reheating.
Remove the pot from direct heat before adding the cream cheese for the smoothest broth.
If leftovers become thick, loosen them with a small splash of chicken broth during gentle reheating.
CALORIES PER SERVING