Creamy White Chicken Chili with Corn Recipe

Creamy White Chicken Chili with Corn: A Heartwarming Bowl of Joy

White chicken chili with corn brings a fresh twist to classic chili dishes, blending comfort and bright flavors in every bite.

This tasty meal mixes tender chicken, creamy white beans, and sweet corn for a bowl that feels like a warm hug.

Food lovers appreciate this southwestern-inspired dish for its balance of mild spices and rich textures.

The mix of ingredients offers a nutritious and flavorful spin on the usual red chili.

It’s perfect for family dinners where everyone can enjoy the familiar yet exciting taste.

With easy-to-find ingredients and simple steps, white chicken chili is an excellent choice for quick weeknight meals or relaxed get-togethers with loved ones.

Why White Chicken Chili With Corn Tastes So Good

  • Quickly Customize Your Meal: This white chicken chili offers incredible flexibility with toppings, letting everyone personalize their bowl with favorite garnishes like cheese, avocado, or jalapeños.
  • Speed-Friendly Cooking: Designed for busy home cooks, this recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when time is super tight.
  • Comfort in a Bowl: Creamy texture and hearty ingredients create a satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug, delivering ultimate comfort with minimal cooking skills required.
  • Family-Pleasing Simplicity: Kid-friendly and adaptable, this chili works for picky eaters and adventurous food lovers alike, ensuring everyone at the table will find something to enjoy.

What’s Inside White Chicken Chili With Corn

Main Proteins:
  • Chicken: Tender protein that forms the hearty base of the chili.
  • Chicken Broth: Rich liquid foundation that adds depth and moisture to the dish.
Supporting Vegetables:
  • Onion: Aromatic base that provides sweet and savory undertones.
  • Green Chiles: Mild pepper that introduces subtle heat and southwestern flavor.
  • Corn: Sweet kernel that adds texture and freshness to the chili.
Creamy and Dairy Components:
  • Cream Cheese, Sour Cream, Heavy Cream: Luxurious ingredients that create a rich, smooth, and velvety consistency.
Seasonings and Spices:
  • Garlic Powder: Classic seasoning that enhances overall flavor profile.
  • Beans: Protein-packed ingredient that adds substance and traditional chili texture.

How To Cook White Chicken Chili With Corn

How To Cook White Chicken Chili With Corn

Step 1: Sauté Chicken and Onions

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add:
  • Chicken
  • Onion

Sauté for 5-7 minutes until chicken is fully cooked. Sprinkle garlic powder over the mixture while cooking.

Step 2: Create Robust Flavor Base

Add the following ingredients to the pot:
  • Beans
  • Corn
  • Chicken broth
  • Green chiles
  • Cream cheese
  • Spices

Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Develop Creamy Texture

Remove pot from heat. In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  • Sour cream
  • Heavy cream

Ladle ½ cup of hot broth from the pot into the cream mixture. Whisk until smooth and well combined. Pour the cream mixture back into the pot and stir thoroughly to integrate.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Serve hot with optional toppings:
  • Shredded cheese
  • Avocado
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Tortilla strips
  • Jalapeños

Best Tips For White Chicken Chili With Corn

  • Boost Chicken Flavor: Marinate chicken in lime juice and cumin before cooking to enhance its taste and tenderness.
  • Customize Spice Level: Adjust heat by adding more or fewer green chiles, or include diced jalapeños for extra kick.
  • Cream Cheese Trick: Soften cream cheese at room temperature before adding to prevent lumpy texture in the chili.
  • Make Ahead Magic: Prepare the chili a day in advance to allow flavors to meld, resulting in a more delicious and rich dish.
  • Dietary Swap Options: Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter version, or substitute chicken with plant-based protein for a vegetarian alternative.

How To Keep White Chicken Chili With Corn Warm

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover white chicken chili in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool the chili completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Freeze: Pour cooled chili into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Microwave: Transfer desired portion to a microwave-safe dish. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming. Add a splash of chicken broth if the chili seems dry.
  • Stovetop: Reheat chili in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Add a little chicken broth or water to restore the original consistency and prevent sticking.

Perfect Matches For White Chicken Chili With Corn

  • Pair with Crisp Lime Margarita: Refresh your palate with a zesty lime margarita that cuts through the chili's creaminess, balancing the rich flavors with bright citrus notes.
  • Complement with Cornbread Muffins: Bake golden, slightly sweet cornbread muffins that echo the corn in the chili, providing a perfect textural contrast and additional corn flavor.
  • Match with Cilantro-Lime Slaw: Prepare a light, tangy coleslaw with fresh cilantro and lime juice to add crunch and brightness that enhances the chili's complex spices.
  • Serve with Mexican Lager: Choose a cold, crisp Mexican beer like Modelo Especial or Pacifico to cleanse the palate and complement the chili's southwestern profile.

Fun Twists On White Chicken Chili With Corn

  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Version: Replace corn and beans with cauliflower florets for a keto-friendly alternative that maintains the creamy texture and flavor profile.
  • Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute chicken with plant-based chicken alternatives or extra firm tofu, using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a meat-free option.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and dairy-free cream cheese alternative, ensuring lactose-intolerant individuals can enjoy the same rich consistency.
  • Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced poblano peppers and increase green chile amount for extra heat, garnishing with fresh jalapeño slices and pepper jack cheese for bold flavor enthusiasts.

White Chicken Chili With Corn Questions Answered

  • What makes white chicken chili different from traditional red chili?

White chicken chili uses chicken instead of beef, and it has a creamy white base with green chiles, creating a lighter and milder flavor profile compared to tomato-based red chilis.

  • Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Yes, shredded rotisserie chicken works perfectly in this recipe. It can save time and adds extra flavor to the chili. Simply replace the raw chicken with pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.

  • Is this chili spicy?

The chili has a mild to moderate heat level from green chiles. If you prefer less spice, use mild green chiles. For more heat, choose hot green chiles or add extra jalapeños when serving.

  • Can I make this chili dairy-free?

To make it dairy-free, substitute cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese alternatives, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and replace sour cream with dairy-free yogurt or coconut yogurt.

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Creamy White Chicken Chili with Corn Recipe

Creamy White Chicken Chili with Corn Recipe


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4.7 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty White Chicken Chili with Corn brings comfort and zest to your dinner table, blending tender chicken, creamy beans, and sweet corn in a soul-warming Mexican-inspired dish. Spicy green chiles and rich broth promise a satisfying meal that will delight your senses and warm you from within.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced into ½-inch pieces
  • 2 cups (480 milliliters) chicken broth (or 1 can, 14 ounces)

Beans and Vegetables:

  • 3 cups (510 grams) cooked great northern beans, drained and rinsed (or 2 cans, 14 ounces each)
  • 1.75 cups (210 grams) frozen or canned corn kernels, drained (or 1 can, 14 ounces)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped into ½-inch pieces
  • ⅔ cup (160 milliliters) chopped roasted green chiles (or 1 can, 7 ounces)

Seasonings and Creamy Components:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1.5 teaspoons granulated garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 4 ounces (115 grams) cream cheese, cubed (optional for extra creaminess)
  • 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
  • 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream

Instructions

  1. In a spacious cooking vessel, warm olive oil over moderate temperature and introduce chicken pieces along with diced onions. Infuse the protein with aromatic garlic powder while sautéing until chicken transforms from pink to fully opaque, approximately 5-6 minutes.
  2. Incorporate white kidney beans, sweet corn kernels, rich chicken broth, zesty green chiles, and selected seasonings into the simmering mixture. Allow the ingredients to meld together, bringing the liquid to a gentle boil before reducing heat to create a harmonious blend of flavors.
  3. Carefully remove the pot from direct heat source and prepare a smooth, velvety binding agent by whisking sour cream with heavy cream until completely integrated. Gradually temper the creamy mixture by introducing a portion of the hot broth, which prevents potential curdling.
  4. Gently fold the cream blend back into the chili, ensuring a uniform and luxurious texture throughout the dish. Stir methodically to guarantee complete incorporation of the creamy elements.
  5. Ladle the steaming chili into serving bowls and customize with an array of vibrant garnishes such as sharp shredded cheese, creamy avocado slices, fragrant fresh cilantro, crisp tortilla strips, or fiery jalapeño rounds to elevate the culinary experience.

Notes

  • Customize heat levels by adjusting green chile quantity or adding fresh jalapeños for extra spiciness.
  • Replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed alternative that maintains creamy texture.
  • Choose skinless chicken breasts for leaner protein or swap with rotisserie chicken to reduce cooking time.
  • Enhance nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or zucchini during sautéing stage.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 7 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Sophia Rivera

Sophia Rivera

Recipe Developer & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

  • Baking and Pastry Arts
  • Seasonal and Local Ingredient Utilization
  • Dessert Menu Planning
  • Culinary Event Coordination

Education

Austin Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry Arts
  • Focus: Techniques in baking, pastry creation, and dessert presentation.

San Antonio Culinary Institute

  • Program: Diploma in Farm-to-Table Culinary Practices
  • Focus: Emphasis on utilizing locally sourced ingredients and understanding seasonal flavors.

Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. 

Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.

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