White Chicken Chili

This White Chicken Chili has all the flavor of comfort food while being lower in fat than your average creamy chili. Enjoy a bowl for dinner tonight!!

Chicken is a staple in our house, and our chicken taco soup is a must try! Or give our classic chicken tetrazzini recipe a try next time you’re craving comfort food.

White chicken chili in a bowl with cheese and sour cream toppings.


Why this Recipe is Best

I’m pretty sure I would eat chili all winter long if my family would let me. I love the smell of chili cooking. The warmth of a bowl and the flavors. It’s true comfort food in my book. Much like this chicken pot pie soup!

Today’s version is a white chicken chili. It’s low fat and delicious! Perfect if you want a cup of comfort food, but are looking for something a little bit on the lighter side (without tasting that way).

I promise you this chili tastes rich and flavorful even without as much butter and oil as some of its counterparts.

Love soup? Try our instant pot french onion soup next! Or give our hearty lasagna soup a try.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients needed to make white chicken chili.

There are two tablespoons of olive oil in this recipe, along with fat free milk. These ingredients, plus the juices from the chicken itself create a chili that’s just as creamy and full of flavor as if it were made with heavy cream.

To make my healthy chicken chili, you’ll need:

  • Chicken Breasts
  • Nonfat Milk
  • Onion
  • Olive Oil
  • Canned Sweet Corn 
  • Cannelini or Great Northern Beans 
  • Canned Green Chilis
  • Chicken Broth
  • Spices: paprika, cumin, chili powder – you could swap these out for taco seasoning if preferred.
  • Lime 
  • Optional garnishes and toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream or greek yogurt, parsley, hot sauce 

Another thing I love about this chili? It all comes together in just ONE POT!

How to Make White Chicken Chili

Step by step photos showing how to make white chicken chili.

STEP 1. Heat oil in your dutch oven or large soup pot over medium- high heat. Add diced chicken breast and cook until browned on all sides (about 5 minutes).

STEP 2. Add onion, green chilies, chicken broth, cumin, chili powder, paprika, beans, corn, and garlic powder. Reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for about an hour, stirring occasionally.

STEP 3. Add milk and lime juice. Turn heat to medium and cook until milk is incorporated and chili is hot (about 10 minutes).

That’s it! Super easy and always delicious.

Serving Suggestions

When you’re ready to serve your chili, I recommend sprinkling it  with a just a touch of Monterrey jack cheese, and a dollop of plain greek yogurt our sour cream.

Adding a sprig of parsley for color is nice, too (we eat with our eyes first)! It would also be great with a dollop of guacamole on top.

Recipe Note: If you’re not concerned about the fat content, feel free to substitute whole milk or low fat milk for the skim milk. I find the fat free milk gives it the texture I prefer but it’ll be good either way. 

Like a little more heat in your chili? Feel free to add a bit of extra chili powder OR serve with your favorite hot sauce on the side. Everyone in my household loves this chili just as is–but maybe not as much as me!

It’s full of flavor and a bit spicy without packing in too much heat. The chicken gets super tender and soaks in all the flavor from the hatch green chilis and spices.

Prefer your soup to be creamy? Blend in heavy cream or sour cream before serving,

One more tip. This dinner can totally be made in the crock pot too!

White chicken chili with toppings in a bowl.

How to Make Chicken Chili in the Crockpot

Add everything into your slow cooker, except the milk and lime juice. Heat on low for 6 hours. Before serving, add nonfat milk and lime juice and allow to heat (about 20 minutes). Serve and enjoy!!

Leftovers taste even better the next day!

This recipe makes enough for six big bowls of chili, but feel free to double the recipe if you like having lots of leftovers. It’ll keep well covered in the fridge for several days and makes a great freezer meal, too!

A cup of warm chicken chili for lunch makes me a happy woman!

I love this chili with a side of crusty homemade bread or tortilla chips. Or whip up this jalapeno corn bread or beer bread instead.

Whether I serve this for dinner or heat up the leftovers as a fast lunch, chicken chili is a hit with everyone at the table.

More Soup and Stews Recipes

White Chicken Chili

5 from 3 votes
By: Aimee
This White Chicken Chili has all the flavor of comfort food while being lower in fat than your average creamy chili. Enjoy a bowl for dinner tonight!!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut bite sized pieces
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 1 can green chilies 4 ounce
  • 32 ounce chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 cans great Northern or Cannellini beans (don't drain) 15 ounce each
  • 1 can sweet corn (don't drain) 15 ounce
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 ½ cups fat free milk
  • 1 lime juiced
  • ½ cup shredded monterery jack cheese plain greek yogurt, parsley, optional for garnish
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Instructions 

  • In a large dutch oven (soup pot), heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add diced chicken breast and cook until browned on all sides (about 5 minutes).
  • Add onion, green chilies, chicken broth, cumin, chili powder, paprika, beans, corn, and garlic powder. Reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for about an hour, stirring occasionally.
  • Add milk and lime juice. Turn heat to medium and cook until milk is incorporated and chili is hot (about 10 minutes).
  • Serve immediately. Add shredded cheese, greek yogurt and parsley for a garnish if desired.

Notes

  • Recipe can also be made in the slow cooker! Add all ingredients except the milk and lime juice to your crockpot. Heat on low for 6 hours.
  • Before serving add milk and lime juice and heat for an additional 20 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 367kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 38g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 90mg, Sodium: 859mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 7g
Course: Soups and Stews
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

This is an easy kid friendly meal that’s perfect for a cold winter day–or any time of year. You really can’t go wrong with this low fat white chicken chili! 



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About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

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Posted on April 2, 2022

Comments & Reviews

  1. I love the ingredients for the White Chicken Chili except for the chili seasoning.  What can I use as a substitute? Thanks!

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