Description
This hearty bowl of white chicken chili delivers tender shredded chicken, creamy white beans, and green chiles in a rich, savory broth that warms you from the inside out. The recipe comes together in one pot with simple spices, making it a cozy weeknight favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb chicken breast
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cans white beans
- 4 cups chicken broth
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 can green chilies
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ¼ cup cilantro
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Lime zest (optional)
Instructions
- Grab your chicken breast and slice it into uniform ½-inch cubes, ensuring each piece is roughly the same size for even cooking.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Drop in diced onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes until they turn translucent and fragrant.
- Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the onions, stirring quickly to prevent burning and release their aromatic essence.
- Introduce the diced chicken to the pot. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon each of cumin and oregano, plus salt and pepper to taste. Stir and cook for 5-6 minutes until chicken loses its pink color.
- Pour in 2 drained and rinsed cans of white beans and 1 can of diced green chilies. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Stream 4 cups of chicken broth into the pot. Raise heat to high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the chili simmer gently for 22 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice and ¼ cup chopped cilantro.
- Ladle the chili into serving bowls and garnish with additional cilantro and a sprinkle of lime zest if desired.
Notes
- Swap chicken breasts for thighs for extra richness and tenderness in the chili.
- Rinse canned beans thoroughly to reduce sodium and improve digestibility.
- For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with extra firm tofu or additional white beans and use vegetable broth.
- Freeze leftovers in portion-sized containers for quick weeknight meals, keeping cilantro garnish fresh by adding just before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 to 6
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg