Budget-Friendly Creamy White Chicken Chili
A quick, creamy, and budget-friendly white chicken chili made with simple pantry staples, perfect for cozy dinners and busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (about 450g)
- 2 cans (15 oz / 425g each) white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
- 4 ounces (115g) cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups (720ml) chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium store-bought
- 1 can (4 oz / 113g) diced green chilies
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup (120ml) sour cream (optional)
- A handful fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Finely chop 1 medium onion and mince 3 cloves of garlic (about 5 minutes).
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon cumin and 1 teaspoon chili powder. Toast spices with onions and garlic for about 30 seconds.
- Add 3 cups chicken broth, 2 cans drained and rinsed white beans, and 1 can diced green chilies. Stir to combine.
- Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
- Stir in 3 cups shredded cooked chicken and 4 ounces softened cream cheese. Break cream cheese into small pieces and whisk or stir until melted and creamy. Simmer for another 5-7 minutes until thickened and heated through.
- If using, stir in ½ cup sour cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add chopped fresh cilantro.
- Ladle chili into bowls and garnish with extra cilantro or a squeeze of lime if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
Soften cream cheese before adding to avoid lumps. Rinse canned beans to reduce sodium and canned flavor. Adjust thickness by adding broth or simmering longer. For dairy-free, substitute cream cheese and sour cream with coconut or plant-based cream. Can be adapted for slow cooker by cooking all except dairy on low 4-6 hours, then adding dairy at the end.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1.5 cups (360m
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 6
- Protein: 30
Keywords: white chicken chili, creamy chicken chili, budget-friendly chili, easy chicken chili, weeknight dinner, comfort food