Creamy White Chicken Chili with Fire-Roasted Green Chiles
Cozy, hearty soup packed with shredded chicken, tender white beans, sweet corn, and mild green chiles in a velvety cream cheese broth.
In a nutshell:This authentic southwestern creamy white chicken chili with fire-roasted green chiles comes together in just 45 minutes with simple ingredients. The chef's secret: mashing one can of beans before adding gives the chili an ultra-rich restaurant texture without needing flour or a heavy roux. Perfect for home cooks seeking a dependable, restaurant-quality finish with minimal effort.
The quintessential chili season upgrade! Juicy shredded chicken simmered in rich chicken broth with Great Northern beans, roasted Hatch green chiles, and cumin, enriched with melted cream cheese for an ultra-velvety texture that warms from the inside out.
Key Equipment
- 6-quart Dutch oven
- Potato masher or fork
- Ladle
Chef's Pro-Tips
- Pro-Tip: Mashing one can of beans before adding gives the chili an ultra-rich restaurant texture without requiring flour or heavy roux.
- Pro-Tip: Use full-fat cream cheese at room temperature so it melts seamlessly into the broth without separating.
- Slow Cooker adaptation: add all ingredients except cream cheese and cook on LOW for 6 hours; stir in cream cheese during the last 30 minutes.
Ingredients
6
servings
-
3 cups cooked shredded chicken breast, or rotisserie chicken
-
2 cans (15 oz) Great Northern beans or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed, 1 can mashed
-
2 cans (4 oz) fire-roasted diced green chiles, mild or medium
-
1 cup frozen sweet corn kernels
-
1 medium yellow onion, diced
-
4 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 tbsp olive oil
-
4 cups chicken bone broth, low-sodium
-
4 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
-
1 ½ tsp ground cumin
-
1 tsp dried oregano
-
½ tsp chili powder
-
1 tsp kosher salt, to taste
-
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, for topping
-
1 medium avocado, diced, for serving
-
½ cup tortilla strips and fresh cilantro, for garnish
The Smart Meal Planner & Grocery Calculator
Interactive Google Sheets & Excel system with auto-generating grocery lists, macro calculations, and 50 pre-loaded recipes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Sauté Aromatics
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft. Stir in minced garlic, cumin, oregano, and chili powder, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
Simmer Broth & Beans
Pour in chicken bone broth, diced green chiles, sweet corn, and 1 can of whole white beans. In a small bowl, mash the second can of beans with a fork and stir into the broth to provide natural thickening body. Bring to a simmer for 15 minutes.
Melt Cream Cheese & Add Chicken
Reduce heat to low. Whisk in cubed softened cream cheese until completely melted and velvety smooth. Fold in shredded chicken and simmer for 5 minutes until heated through.
Serve with Toppings
Ladle into deep bowls. Top generously with shredded Monterey Jack, diced avocado, cilantro, sour cream, and crispy tortilla strips.
Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks
Kitchen EssentialsAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet, 2-Pack
Warp-resistant aluminum for even browning, from sheet-pan dinners to cookies.
View on AmazonVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife
Razor-sharp Fibrox Pro blade that home chefs and pros both reach for.
View on AmazonTILUCK Stainless Measuring Cups & Spoons, 10-Pc
Stainless steel cups and spoons that measure precisely and last.
View on AmazonMercer Culinary Locking Tongs, 9" + 12"
Locking tongs in two handy sizes for the stovetop and the grill.
View on AmazonAmazon Basics Non-Stick Parchment Paper Roll
Non-stick paper for lining pans – easy release, easy cleanup.
View on AmazonWoodenhouse Teak Wooden Spoons, 10-Pc
Teak spoons gentle on cookware and built for daily stirring.
View on AmazonOXO Good Grips Silicone Whisk Set, 9" + 11"
Silicone whisks safe for nonstick pans, in two sizes.
View on AmazonUltra Cuisine Stainless Cooling Rack Set of 2
Stainless racks that fit half sheets – for cooling bakes and crisping roasts.
View on AmazonUmite Chef Stainless Mixing Bowls with Lids, 8-Pc
Nesting stainless bowls with airtight lids, from prep to storage.
View on AmazonHamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer
Six speeds with a snap-on storage case for the beaters.
View on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Yes! Sauté aromatics, add broth, beans, and uncooked chicken breasts. Pressure cook on HIGH for 12 minutes, shred chicken, and stir in cream cheese on Sauté mode.
It is very mild and family-friendly with canned green chiles. Add diced jalapeño or cayenne for extra heat.
Yes, freeze up to 3 months. If freezing, consider adding the cream cheese upon reheating for best emulsion.