White Bean Chicken Chili (Printable)

Tender chicken combined with creamy white beans and bold spices create a hearty, flavorful main dish.

# What you need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
02 - 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 large poblano pepper, diced
06 - 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and minced
07 - 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels

→ Liquids & Pantry

08 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
11 - Juice of 1 lime

→ Spices & Herbs

12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
15 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
16 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
17 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
18 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
19 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

# How to make it:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, diced poblano pepper, and jalapeño; sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Add cumin, oregano, coriander, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper; cook for 1 minute to release aromatic oils.
04 - Add shredded chicken, white beans, corn, diced green chilies, and chicken broth; stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld.
06 - Stir in lime juice and fresh cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
07 - Ladle into bowls and serve hot with desired toppings such as diced avocado, sliced jalapeños, Greek yogurt, shredded cheese, or extra cilantro.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in 45 minutes flat, which means you can serve dinner on a weeknight without the stress.
  • The combination of white beans and shredded chicken keeps it satisfying and protein-packed without tasting gym-adjacent.
  • Each spoonful tastes intentional—cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika create depth that feels almost effortless.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining and rinsing your canned beans unless you enjoy a starchy, gluey texture that makes your tongue feel coated.
  • If you want extra creaminess without cream, mash roughly half the beans before adding them—it thickens naturally and tastes like you planned something fancy.
03 -
  • Rotisserie chicken from the grocery store isn't cheating—it's intelligence, and it means you're more likely to actually make this on Tuesday when it counts.
  • If the chili tastes flat at the end, don't add more salt; add more lime juice instead and watch how it suddenly sounds like itself.
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