Ghostly White Chicken Chili (Print)

Creamy white chili with chicken, beans, and smoky heat—perfect for cool nights or gatherings.

# Components:

→ Proteins

01 - 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced (optional)
05 - 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles

→ Beans & Corn

06 - 2 cans (15 ounces each) cannellini or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 cup frozen or canned sweet corn, drained

→ Liquids

08 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Dairy

09 - ½ cup sour cream
10 - ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - ½ teaspoon ground coriander
14 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
16 - ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
17 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

→ Garnishes

18 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
19 - Additional sour cream and cheese, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Sear chicken 2–3 minutes per side until lightly golden, then transfer to a plate.
03 - In the same pot, add diced onion and cook 3–4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and jalapeño, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
04 - Stir in green chiles, cumin, oregano, coriander, smoked paprika, white pepper, and cayenne. Sauté spices for 1 minute.
05 - Return the chicken to the pot. Add beans, corn, and chicken broth. Bring contents to a gentle simmer.
06 - Cover the pot and cook 15–20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and tender.
07 - Remove chicken from the pot and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the chili.
08 - Stir in sour cream and shredded cheese until fully melted and the chili becomes creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
09 - Ladle into bowls while hot. Top with chopped cilantro and additional sour cream or cheese as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in under one hour but tastes like it simmered all day
  • Builds flavor with everyday pantry spices and fresh ingredients
  • Naturally gluten free and can be made mild or spicy
  • Creamy texture makes for an ultra comforting family meal
  • Flexible enough to swap proteins or veggies
02 -
  • High in protein and fiber for lasting energy
  • Freezes beautifully for future meals
  • Customizable spice level to suit any crowd
03 -
  • Always brown your chicken for extra flavor before simmering
  • Do not skip blooming the spices with the aromatics
  • Stir cheese and sour cream in last over low heat to prevent curdling
  • A pinch of smoked paprika at the end heightens the aroma
  • If you are prepping ahead dice your veggies the night before to save time

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