Easy 5-Ingredient White Chicken Chili

Craving a delicious, quick, and satisfying meal that comes together in a flash? Look no further! This Easy White Chicken Chili recipe is your new weeknight hero. With just 5 core ingredients and about 15 minutes of active cooking, you can enjoy a comforting, flavorful bowl. It’s perfect for busy evenings, offering a versatile and hearty option for the whole family.

Why You’ll Love This Easy White Chicken Chili

You’ll adore this easy white chicken chili for its ultimate simplicity and incredible taste. It delivers big flavor without requiring hours in the kitchen.

• Quick & Effortless: Prepare a delicious meal in under 20 minutes from start to finish.
• Minimal Ingredients: This recipe uses only five essential items, making grocery shopping a breeze.
• Hearty & Flavorful: Enjoy a rich, comforting chili packed with tender chicken and aromatic spices.
• Highly Customizable: Easily adapt it to your taste with various toppings and simple additions.
• Perfect for Busy Weeknights: It’s an ideal solution when time is short but you still want a homemade meal.
• Great for Meal Prep: Make a big batch to enjoy throughout the week or freeze for future easy dinners.

Ingredients

Making a delicious Easy White Chicken Chili starts with a handful of simple, readily available ingredients. These core components combine to create a deeply satisfying dish. You’ll be amazed at the flavor created with such a short list!

6 cups chicken stock

3 to 4 cups cooked shredded chicken

2 (15-ounce) cans beans of your choice, rinsed and drained (Great Northern or cannellini work well)

2 cups (16 ounces) salsa verde (store-bought or homemade, mild or medium)

2 teaspoons ground cumin

Notes & Substitutions

Chicken: For ultimate speed, use a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Leftover cooked chicken or quick-cooked, shredded chicken breasts also work perfectly in this easy white chicken chili.

Beans: While Great Northern and cannellini beans are traditional for white chili, feel free to use navy beans or even pinto beans for a slightly different flavor. Always rinse them well.

Salsa Verde: The spice level of your chili largely depends on your salsa verde. Choose a mild variety for a family-friendly dish, or a medium/hot version for an extra kick.

Chicken Stock: Opt for a good quality low-sodium chicken stock or broth. This forms the base of your chili, so its flavor is crucial. For culinary insights into its impact on dishes, understanding the role of quality chicken stock is key.

Cumin: Ground cumin is a non-negotiable spice here. It provides that essential warm, earthy flavor characteristic of chili.

Other Additions: While not part of the 5-ingredient count, feel free to add diced onions, minced garlic, or chopped bell peppers for extra depth. Sauté them briefly before adding other ingredients.

Equipment

You won’t need an array of specialized tools to whip up this Easy White Chicken Chili. A few basic kitchen items are all it takes to get this comforting meal on the table. Keeping it simple makes cleanup just as fast as cooking.

Large stockpot or Dutch oven

Ladle

Can opener

Cutting board and knife (for preparing optional toppings)

Instructions

Creating this easy white chicken chili is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a heartwarming meal ready in no time. Our goal at Sweet Emily is to make baking and cooking simple for busy parents and beginners, and this recipe is a perfect example!

1. Prepare Your Chicken: First, ensure your chicken is cooked and shredded. If using raw chicken, cook it first by boiling or baking, then shred it with two forks. This step is crucial for the speed of the recipe.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a large stockpot or a sturdy Dutch oven, combine all the core ingredients. Add the 6 cups of chicken stock, your 3 to 4 cups of cooked shredded chicken, the 2 cans of rinsed and drained beans, the 2 cups of salsa verde, and the 2 teaspoons of ground cumin.
3. Stir Well: Give everything a good stir with a large spoon or ladle. Mix thoroughly to ensure all the ingredients are evenly distributed and the flavors begin to meld. This helps create a cohesive and delicious easy white chicken chili.
4. Bring to a Simmer: Place the stockpot over medium-high heat on your stove. Bring the chili mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. You’ll see small bubbles forming around the edges of the pot.
5. Simmer Gently: Once it reaches a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow your easy white chicken chili to continue simmering gently for about 5 to 10 minutes. This short period is enough to warm all ingredients through and allow the flavors to deepen slightly.
6. Taste and Adjust: Carefully taste a spoonful of the chili. Adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add a pinch of salt or freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remember that the salsa verde contributes a lot of the initial flavor.
7. Serve Hot: Ladle the hot and comforting easy white chicken chili into individual bowls. Garnish generously with your favorite toppings before serving immediately. Enjoy this simple yet satisfying meal!

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Elevate your easy white chicken chili even further with these quick tips, or troubleshoot common issues. Sweet Emily is all about making your cooking experience enjoyable and successful.

• Flavor Boost: For deeper flavor, sauté a diced onion and minced garlic in a little olive oil in the pot before adding the other ingredients. This simple step adds aromatic complexity.
• Adjusting Spice: Control the heat by selecting your salsa verde carefully. For more spice, choose a hot salsa verde or stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños.
• Creamier Texture: For a richer, creamier white chicken chili, stir in 2-4 ounces of softened cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream during the last few minutes of simmering.
• Thicker Chili: If your chili is too thin, mash about half a cup of the beans against the side of the pot with a spoon. Alternatively, simmer it uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce the liquid.
• Preventing Watery Chili: Ensure your beans are well-drained and rinsed. Also, stick to the recommended amount of chicken stock to avoid an overly thin consistency.

Serving, Storage & Variations

This easy white chicken chili is fantastic on its own, but these suggestions will make it even better. Its versatility extends to how you enjoy it, store it, and even transform it.

Serving Suggestions

Offer a delightful array of toppings for your guests to customize their bowls. Think sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, and crunchy tortilla chips. Serve this hearty chili alongside warm cornbread or a crusty loaf of bread for a complete, comforting meal. A squeeze of fresh lime juice over the top brightens all the flavors.

Storage & Freezing

• Refrigerate: Store any leftover easy white chicken chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Allow the chili to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Label with the date.
• Reheat: Thaw frozen chili overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through, or use the microwave in short intervals, stirring often.

Variations

Transform your easy white chicken chili with these simple twists:

• Vegetable Boost: Stir in a can of drained corn, diced bell peppers, or sautéed spinach during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Slow Cooker: Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 2-3 hours, or on high for 1 hour, until heated through.
• Instant Pot: Use the sauté function for aromatics if desired. Add all ingredients, then pressure cook on high for 5 minutes, followed by a quick release.
• Spicy Kick: Amp up the heat by adding a finely diced jalapeño (seeds removed for less heat) or a pinch of cayenne pepper with the cumin.
• Creamy Version: For a richer chili, stir in 4 ounces of cream cheese or a half cup of Greek yogurt at the end until melted and smooth.

Nutrition

While Sweet Emily focuses on making cooking easy, we understand the importance of nutrition. This easy white chicken chili is generally a good source of lean protein.

Please note that nutritional values can vary based on specific ingredients, brands, and serving sizes. For precise nutritional information, we recommend using an online nutrition calculator with the exact products you use. For precise dietary details on your ingredients, consult an authoritative source like the USDA FoodData Central. This recipe is a wholesome, protein-packed meal option.

Component	Per Serving (estimated)
Calories	350-450
Protein	30-40g
Fat	10-15g
Carbohydrates	30-40g
Fiber	8-12g

Values are approximate and will vary based on specific ingredients and portion size.

FAQ

• Is this easy white chicken chili genuinely spicy?
  The spice level primarily depends on your choice of salsa verde. Opt for mild salsa verde for a gentle flavor, or medium/hot for more heat.
• Can I use uncooked chicken?
  Yes, but you’ll need to cook and shred the chicken first before adding it to the pot with the other ingredients. Ensure it’s fully cooked through.
• Can this recipe be made vegetarian?
  Absolutely! Simply omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock. You can add extra beans or corn for substance.
• How long does white chicken chili last?
  When stored properly in an airtight container, it will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer.
• What kind of beans are best for white chicken chili?
  Great Northern, cannellini, or navy beans are traditionally used and provide the best texture and flavor for this type of chili.

Conclusion

This Easy White Chicken Chili recipe truly delivers on its promise of simplicity, speed, and incredible flavor. It’s a testament to how few ingredients can create such a comforting and satisfying meal for any night of the week. Perfect for beginners and busy parents alike, it’s a dish you’ll want to keep in your regular rotation. Give this quick and delicious chili a try tonight and taste the ease for yourself! We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.