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This award-winning white chicken chili recipe is a hearty, creamy favorite!! Best of all, it’s ready in 30 minutes or less!

White chicken chili recipe topped with cheese in a bowl.
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All-time favorite!

Our white chicken chili is an award-winning favorite! No joke – we’ve brought this to our annual Trunk or Treat a dozen or so times and always win for best white chili recipe.

Along with our classic chili recipe, this is our go-to for chili cook-offs and potlucks and ALWAYS gets rave reviews. We know everyone loves it because we never have leftovers! That’s one reason we have it on repeat all soup season long.

We also love that it’s prepped in 5 minutes and on the table in 30! We keep shredded chicken on hand (in the freezer) so we’re always ready to make a batch. Just add some cornbread and enjoy a cool fall night with these recipes.

WHY WE LOVE IT:

  • Ready in minutes. This easy dinner idea is prepped in 5 minutes and finished in under 30 minutes.
  • Stovetop or crockpot. It can be made both ways, which is great if you’re in a rush or want to dump and go in the slow cooker.
  • Award winning! It’s so good that it’s constantly winning chili cook-offs. With so much flavor and so many ways to customize, it’s sure to be a hit!
Shredded chicken used in white chicken chili recipe.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups chicken broth – If using a lower sodium, you may need to add a little more salt.
  • 3-4 (15.5-ounce) cans great northern beans – Substitute with a smaller navy bean or larger white kidney beans (cannellini beans).
  • 2 cups shredded chicken – We like to use the crock pot to make Shredded Chicken, but you can also make Oven Baked Chicken or shredded Rotisserie chicken.
  • 1-2 (4-ounce) cans diced green chilies – (mild or hot) For more heat add cayenne pepper, red chili flakes, or a white chili powder.
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon dried oregano
  • dash of black pepper – You can also add onion powder to taste.
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack – or Mexican blend cheese
  • 1 cup sour cream or plain or Greek yogurt
  • optional toppings – Monterey Jack Cheese, cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro, sliced avocado, lime wedges (or fresh lime juice), or Tortilla strips

How to Make White Chicken Chili

  1. COMBINE. In a large pot, combine 4 cups broth, 3-4 (15.5-ounce) cans great northern beans, 2 cups shredded chicken, 1-2 (4-ounce) green chiles, 1 teaspoon cumin, ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder, ยฝ teaspoon oregano, and a dash of black pepper. Cook over medium-low heat.
  2. SIMMER. Simmer on low-medium heat for 20-30 minutes or until completely heated through.
    • For an extra creamy texture, blend a portion of the cooked white beans with some of the broth before adding them back to the pot. See How to Thicken Soup for more ideas.
  3. SERVE. Right before serving, stir in the sour cream and cheese until it’s melted. Garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeno peppers, or crushed tortilla chips.

Make In the crockpot

  • Add all the ingredients (minus the sour cream and cheese) into the crockpot and cook on low for 1-2 hours and you’re set!
  • Add cheese and sour cream and cook for an additional 30โ€“60 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Stir together and serve warm.
White chili recipe with chicken served in a bowl.

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5 from 161 votes

White Chicken Chili

By: Lil’ Luna
This award-winning white chicken chili recipe is a hearty, creamy favorite!! Best of all, it's ready in 30 minutes or less!
Servings: 8
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 3-4 (15.5-ounce) cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
  • 1-2 (4-ounce) cans diced green chiles
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon dried oregano
  • dash of pepper
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend cheese
  • 1 cup sour cream

Instructions 

  • In a large pot, combine broth, beans, chicken, green chiles, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, and pepper over medium-low heat.
  • Simmer for 20โ€“30 minutes, or until soup is heated through.
  • Before serving, add cheese and sour cream and stir until cheese is melted and ingredients are mixed.

Video

Notes

Slow cooker directions: Combine all ingredients except cheese and sour cream in the slow cooker and cook on low for 1โ€“2 hours. Add cheese and sour cream and cook for an additional 30โ€“60 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Stir together and serve warm.
Store in an airtight container(s) and refrigerate for 2-3 days or freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container(s). See How to Freeze Soup for tips.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 214kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 65mg, Sodium: 941mg, Potassium: 169mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 404IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 251mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

How to store white chicken chili?

Store in an airtight container(s) and refrigerate for 2-3 days or freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container(s). See How to Freeze Soup for tips.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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5 from 161 votes (79 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




221 Comments

  1. JT says:

    5 stars
    This is our favorite white chicken chili recipe!! We have it on repeat all fall and winter long. And we always serve it with your cornbread recipe.

  2. Megan says:

    5 stars
    White Chicken Chili is my favorite kind of chili! I love this recipe and pair it with your cornbread muffins too. Such a good combo!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      I’m so glad you enjoy the recipe!

  3. Karen says:

    5 stars
    Mmmm. This chili is delish! It’s creamy and flavorful and perfect for chilly days.

  4. Katrina says:

    5 stars
    This is our favorite chili! So simple to make and always the first to go at a potluck!

  5. Jessica says:

    5 stars
    This chili is always a hit at our church parties. The pot gets wiped clean!! Love a good chili recipe.

  6. Ali says:

    5 stars
    The sour cream and cheese make this chili so creamy. Itโ€™s one of our familyโ€™s favorite soups. Especially in the fall!

  7. Sue says:

    5 stars
    This is the same recipe my sister gave me years ago and I LOVE it. It’s a delicious twist on traditional chili. It’s always gone when I take it to autumn potlucks.

  8. Sharon Wellman says:

    Omgosh โ€ผ๏ธ Iโ€™m rating this recipe 5 โญ๏ธ Itโ€™s amazing just the two of us here it last us all week. So good. I even add a couple favorite too.

    1. April Kucharski says:

      5 stars
      I haven’t even tried this yet, but I know it will be delish!!!! My sister sent me this recipe and I am making it tonight. My husband has heart failure and ckd3, but this will be super simple to fix without the salt. I can’t wait to get it done ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜

  9. Tiffany says:

    5 stars
    Love this soup!! It is so quick & easy and I usually have most ingredients in the pantry!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Kristi R. says:

    5 stars
    One of my favorite soups – always at the top of my list when soup season comes! Iโ€™ve started adding some corn – makes it even more yummy! Itโ€™s on our menu this week. I also love the leftovers for lunch!