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I discovered this White Chicken Chili by chance during a cold snap when I was bored with regular beef chili. It's now our go-to family comfort meal! Everyone asks for seconds because of the soft chicken, rich broth and spot-on seasoning mix. It's not as heavy as traditional chili but still fills you up completely.
What Makes This Chili Stand Out
This chili breaks all the rules! A velvety broth packed with chicken and cozy spices gives you a bowl of pure happiness. I'm a fan of how it comes together so fast with stuff I typically keep around, and the best part is everyone can top their own serving just the way they want it.
Your Shopping List
- Chicken: A store-bought rotisserie chicken saves tons of time.
- Garlic and Onion: Go with fresh for the best taste.
- Chicken Broth: Don't worry if you can't make your own.
- Green Chilies: They add flavor without much heat.
- Spices: A cozy mix that brings everything together.
- Cannellini Beans: We'll mash some for thickness.
- Corn: Gives nice sweetness and texture.
- Neufchatel Cheese: The secret to that smooth texture.
- Fresh Lime: You'll be amazed what it does to the flavor.
- Cilantro: Adds that finishing touch.
- Toppings: Try avocado, shredded cheese, crunchy chips or your favorites!
Easy Cooking Steps
- Create Your Base
- Cook those onions until they're soft and add garlic just until you smell its goodness.
- Mix The Essentials
- Add your broth, chilies and all those tasty spices and let them simmer together.
- Work With Beans
- Smash some beans for thickening but leave others whole for texture.
- Get That Richness
- Mix in your cheese, corn and all the beans until everything's warm and combined.
- The Final Touch
- Stir in chicken, squeeze fresh lime and sprinkle cilantro, then add your favorite toppings.
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Simple Slow Cooker Method
Got a crockpot? Just toss uncooked chicken breasts with the broth, spices and chilies. Add the creamy stuff later in the cooking process. You'll need roughly 3 hours on high setting or 6 hours on low and you're good to go!
Storage Ideas
This chili stays good in your fridge for several days or pop it in the freezer for those crazy-busy evenings. When warming it up, you might need to add a bit of broth if it's thickened too much.
Insider Tricks
Mashing some of the beans really does make the creamiest texture ever. Grabbing a rotisserie chicken isn't just faster, it adds extra flavor too. And don't forget the fresh lime squeeze and cilantro at serving time - they totally transform the taste.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Why should I blend some beans?
Blending makes the chili thicker and smoother, even if you don't have fancy tools.
- → Why choose rotisserie chicken?
It’s faster and more flavorful compared to cooking plain chicken. Also, it doesn’t dry out easily.
- → Is regular cream cheese fine?
Yep, totally fine! The lighter Neufchatel is an option but not a must.
- → How spicy is this soup?
It’s mild to medium, but you can tweak the spice levels by adding more or less cayenne.
- → Can I freeze leftovers?
You can! Just know that cream soups may separate a bit. Reheat slowly for the best texture.