Quick & Hearty Pioneer Woman White Bean Chicken Chili Recipe

White bean chicken chili brings comfort and warmth to your dinner table with its rich, soul-satisfying blend of flavors.

Southwestern-inspired dishes often spark conversations and create memorable moments around family meals.

The combination of tender chicken, creamy white beans, and robust spices transforms an ordinary evening into something extraordinary.

Hearty and nutritious, this chili offers a delightful twist on traditional recipes that everyone will appreciate.

Robust ingredients merge seamlessly, creating a balanced meal that feels both familiar and exciting.

Each spoonful promises a symphony of textures and tastes that dance across your palate.

The magic happens when simple ingredients come together with intentional seasoning and care: get ready to fall in love with this crowd-pleasing dinner.

What Makes Pioneer Woman’s White Bean Chicken Chili the Ultimate Comfort Soup

• Craft Flavor Depth: Layering spices like cumin, coriander, and chili powder creates an incredible depth that transforms ordinary chicken chili into a sensational taste experience, making every spoonful burst with robust southwestern-inspired flavors.
• Streamline Weeknight Cooking: With just 40 minutes from start to finish, this recipe offers a quick and satisfying meal that delivers gourmet-level taste without demanding extensive kitchen time or complicated techniques, perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious solutions.
• Texture Symphony: Combining creamy white beans, tender shredded chicken, and corn kernels produces a delightful mix of textures that dance across your palate – smooth, chunky, and hearty elements create an exciting eating experience that keeps each bite interesting and enjoyable.
• Customize Your Bowl: Offering multiple garnish options like tortilla chips, cheese, and sour cream allows everyone to personalize their chili, transforming a single recipe into a flexible meal that adapts to individual preferences and makes dinnertime more interactive and fun.

Ingredients for Pioneer Woman’s White Bean Chicken Chili

• Shredded Chicken: Tender meat that adds protein and substance to the chili, preferably from a rotisserie or freshly cooked chicken.

• Onion, Poblano Peppers: Foundational vegetables that provide depth and mild heat to the base of the chili.
• Garlic, Jalapeño: Aromatic ingredients that bring sharp, spicy notes and intense flavor to the dish.
• Green Chilis: Mild peppers that contribute a soft, tangy heat and additional complexity.
• Frozen Corn: Sweet vegetable that adds texture and a subtle burst of flavor to the chili.

• Chicken Broth: Flavorful liquid that creates the base of the chili and helps develop the overall taste.
• Cornmeal or Masa Harina: Traditional thickening agent that adds a subtle corn flavor and helps create a hearty consistency.
• Heavy Cream: Rich ingredient that smooths and rounds out the flavors of the chili.

• Cumin, Coriander, Chili Powder, Black Pepper, Oregano: Spice blend that provides warm, complex, and authentic chili flavors.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances and balances all other ingredients.

• Lime Juice: Bright, acidic element that adds freshness and balances the rich flavors.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that provides a clean, herbal note to the chili.

• Tortilla Chips: Crunchy topping that adds texture and a traditional Mexican-inspired touch.

How to Make Pioneer Woman’s White Bean Chicken Chili

Step 1: Sauté the Base

• Chopped onion
• Poblano peppers
• Salt

Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables start to soften.

Step 2: Boost the Aromatics

Toss in minced garlic and chopped jalapeño. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Step 3: Awaken the Spices

• Cumin
• Coriander
• Chili powder
• Black pepper
• Oregano

Toast the spices for 1 minute to release their intense flavors.

Step 4: Create the Thickening Mixture

• Chicken broth
• Cornmeal or masa harina

Blend until smooth to prevent any lumps.

Step 5: Build the Chili Base

• 3 chicken broth
• White beans
• Green chilis
• Frozen corn

Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6: Introduce the Chicken

Fold in shredded chicken and continue simmering for 5 more minutes to marry the flavors.

Step 7: Finish with Creamy Brightness

• Heavy cream
• Fresh lime juice
• Chopped cilantro
• Remaining salt

Adjust seasonings to taste.

Step 8: Serve with Spectacular Toppings

• Fresh cilantro
• Tortilla chips
• Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• Sour cream

Enjoy this hearty and comforting meal!

Pro Tips for Pioneer Woman’s White Bean Chicken Chili

• Ignite Spice Aromatics: Briefly toast cumin, chili powder, and oregano in the dry pot before introducing other ingredients, awakening their hidden flavor compounds and intensifying the chili's overall taste.
• Customize Bean Texture: Partially mash some white beans against the pot's side to create a natural thickener, transforming the broth's consistency without adding extra flour or cornstarch.
• Balance Spicy Kick: Neutralize overwhelming heat by stirring in a small amount of honey or sugar, which smooths out intense pepper notes without compromising the chili's authentic flavor.
• Amplify Savory Depth: Introduce a splash of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce to elevate umami undertones, providing a subtle but rich background complexity to the chicken chili.
• Smart Leftover Hack: Store remaining chili in airtight containers, knowing the flavors will develop and intensify overnight, making next-day servings even more delicious.

How to Store Pioneer Woman’s White Bean Chicken Chili

• Vacuum Seal Method: Lock in freshness by vacuum sealing individual portions of chili in specialized bags. Remove all air to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal flavor for up to 4 months. Perfect for meal preppers and busy home cooks wanting long-term storage solutions.
• Mason Jar Preservation: Portion chili into clean glass mason jars, leaving one inch of headspace at the top. Cool completely before sealing tightly with lids. Refrigerate for quick grab-and-go meals within 3 days or freeze for extended storage up to 2 months. Glass containers prevent flavor absorption and maintain food quality.
• Ice Cube Tray Technique: Spoon chili into silicone ice cube trays for quick portioning and rapid freezing. Once frozen, transfer individual cubes to freezer bags for compact storage.

Creative Twists on Pioneer Woman’s White Bean Chicken Chili

• Spicy Southwest Edition: Kick up the heat by adding diced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and incorporating smoked paprika for a deeper, smokier flavor profile that brings bold southwestern notes to the classic recipe.
• Green Chili Lean Version: Replace shredded chicken with ground turkey or lean chicken breast, increase green chilis, and add roasted tomatillos for a lighter, tangier interpretation that maintains the dish's authentic character.
• Vegetarian Bean Fusion: Swap chicken with roasted sweet potatoes, add extra white beans, include diced zucchini, and use vegetable broth to create a hearty plant-based alternative that keeps the original recipe's rich, comforting essence.
• Mediterranean Crossover: Introduce crumbled feta cheese, swap some chicken broth with white wine, add a touch of dried oregano, and garnish with kalamata olives for a Mediterranean-inspired transformation that brings exciting global flavors to the traditional chili.

Pioneer Woman’s White Bean Chicken Chili: A Hearty and Flavorful Meal

Hearty white bean chicken chili emerges as culinary magic from Pioneer Woman’s kitchen, blending southwestern charm with comforting complexity.

Complex spices dance through each spoonful, telling stories of Mexican-inspired traditions.

Poblano peppers and jalapeños whisper bold southwestern secrets while creamy beans provide gentle balance.

Monterey Jack cheese and sour cream crown this remarkable dish with luxurious finishing touches.

Authentic flavors transport diners across cultural landscapes without leaving home.

Regional ingredients collaborate seamlessly, creating a meal that celebrates heritage and home cooking – will you savor this incredible recipe, share its delicious narrative with friends, and spread culinary joy through your kitchen?

Pioneer Woman White Bean Chicken Chili Recipe

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4.9 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Pioneer Woman white bean chicken chili brings hearty southwestern comfort to dinner tables with remarkable ease. Loaded with tender chicken, creamy white beans, and zesty spices, this one-pot wonder delivers bold flavors you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 3 cups cooked chicken (from 1 rotisserie chicken)

Vegetables and Spices:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 poblano peppers, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 jalapeño, chopped (remove seeds for less spice)
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (divided, plus more to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Liquid and Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons cornmeal or masa harina
• 2 cans (15 ounces each) white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilis
• 1 cup frozen corn
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves, plus more for serving
• Tortilla chips, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and sour cream, for serving

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Instructions

1. Prepare the aromatic base by warming olive oil (29.5 milliliters or 2 tablespoons) in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, then gently sauté chopped onions and poblano peppers with a pinch of salt until they become tender and translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes.
2. Introduce minced garlic and finely chopped jalapeño to the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes to prevent burning and release their robust flavors.
3. Awaken the spices by incorporating ground cumin, coriander, chili powder, freshly cracked black pepper, and dried oregano, toasting them for 45-60 seconds to intensify their aromatic qualities.
4. Create a smooth thickening agent by whisking ½ cup (120 milliliters) of chicken broth with cornmeal or masa harina until completely integrated, ensuring no lumpy residue remains.
5. Pour the cornmeal mixture into the pot along with remaining chicken broth (830 milliliters or 3½ cups), white beans, green chilis, and frozen corn, allowing the mixture to gently simmer for 8-10 minutes while occasionally stirring.
6. Fold in shredded chicken and continue simmering for an additional 4-5 minutes, permitting the ingredients to harmonize and develop a rich, complex flavor profile.
7. Remove from heat and enrich the chili with heavy cream, freshly squeezed lime juice, and chopped cilantro, adjusting seasoning with remaining salt to taste.
8. Ladle the chili into serving bowls, garnishing with extra cilantro, crisp tortilla chips, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and a dollop of cool sour cream for a delightful textural contrast.

Notes

• Grab rotisserie chicken or use leftover grilled chicken to streamline meal preparation.
• Control sodium by selecting low-sodium chicken broth for a healthier chili base.
• Customize heat levels by carefully removing jalapeño seeds or increasing chili powder.
• Sprinkle fresh cilantro just before serving to introduce a vibrant, herbaceous finish.
• Melt Monterey Jack cheese on top for a creamy, flavor-enhancing complement.
• Brighten the entire dish with a splash of fresh lime juice, balancing rich and warm notes.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg