Hearty Creamy White Chicken Chili
Warm up your kitchen with this Hearty Creamy White Chicken Chili that marries the richness of tender chicken thighs with the subtle earthiness of white beans and a delightful blend of spices. Perfect for chilly nights, this slow-cooker recipe combines the flavors of Hatch chilies, garlic, and a hint of paprika, resulting in a comforting dish that's as delicious as it is easy to prepare. Top it off with creamy cheese, fresh avocado, and crunchy tortilla chips for an extra layer of flavor and texture. Great for family dinners or meal prep, this chili is sure to become a new favorite!
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
dry white beans
1 1/2 cups (soaked overnight)
white onion
1 (diced)
hatch chilies
2 (deseeded and chopped)
celery ribs
2 (chopped)
garlic cloves
4-5 (chopped or minced)
chicken thigh
1 lb (fat trimmed off)
ground cumin
1 teaspoon (spice)
chili seasoning mix
1 teaspoon (spice)
pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
paprika
1/2 teaspoon (spice)
chicken stock
4 cups (or water with stock cubes)
low-fat cream cheese
4 ounces (softened)
avocado
1 (cubed for topping)
shredded cheese
to taste (for topping)
chopped cilantro
to taste (for garnish)
crushed tortilla chips
to taste (for garnish)
Instructions
1
The night before, soak 1 1/2 cups of dry white beans in ample water to soften them.
2
After soaking, drain the beans and transfer them into the slow cooker.
3
Add the diced white onion, chopped hatch chilies, chopped celery, and minced garlic to the beans in the slow cooker.
4
Place the trimmed chicken thighs directly on top of the beans and vegetables.
5
Pour in 4 cups of chicken stock (or water with stock cubes) to cover the ingredients.
6
Sprinkle in the ground cumin, chili seasoning mix, pepper, and paprika to enhance the chili's flavor. Adjust seasoning for desired heat.
7
Cover the slow cooker and set it to low for 6 1/2 hours.
8
Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken thighs from the crockpot and shred them using two forks.
9
Add 4 ounces of low-fat cream cheese to the crockpot. Use a potato masher to blend it with some of the beans until you achieve a creamy consistency.
10
Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot, stir well, and cover.
11
Switch the slow cooker to high and let it cook for an additional 30 minutes to meld the flavors.
12
Serve the chili hot, garnished with cubed avocado, shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, and crushed tortilla chips for added crunch.
Nutrition Information
7.5g
Fat
25g
Carbs
20g
Protein
5.8g
Fiber
250mg
Sodium
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Creamy White Chicken Chili?
It is a comforting slow-cooker dish that combines chicken thighs, dry white beans, hatch chilies, and spices in a creamy base made from cream cheese and mashed beans.
How many calories are in a serving of this white chicken chili?
There are approximately 300 calories per serving.
How much protein is in this recipe?
Each serving contains about 20 grams of protein.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using 1 lb of chicken thighs with the fat trimmed off for the best flavor and tenderness.
Do I need to soak the beans before cooking?
Yes, you should soak 1 1/2 cups of dry white beans in ample water overnight to soften them before adding them to the slow cooker.
How long does this chili take to cook in a slow cooker?
The chili cooks for 6 1/2 hours on low, followed by an additional 30 minutes on high after adding the cream cheese and shredded chicken.
What makes the chili creamy without using heavy cream?
The creaminess comes from a combination of 4 ounces of low-fat cream cheese and mashing some of the beans with a potato masher.
What are the primary spices used in this chili?
The spice blend includes ground cumin, chili seasoning mix, pepper, and paprika.
Are hatch chilies spicy?
Hatch chilies provide a subtle earthiness and mild to medium heat, which can be adjusted to your preference.
What toppings are suggested for this dish?
Recommended toppings include cubed avocado, shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, and crushed tortilla chips.
How much fat is in one serving?
One serving contains approximately 7.5 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
There are 25 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, this hearty chili is an excellent option for meal prep and family dinners.
How much chicken stock is required?
You will need 4 cups of chicken stock, or 4 cups of water with stock cubes.
How many garlic cloves should I use?
The recipe calls for 4-5 chopped or minced garlic cloves.
What type of beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses dry white beans, such as Great Northern or Cannellini beans.
What is the sodium content of this chili?
The recipe contains approximately 250mg of sodium per serving.
How much fiber does this chili provide?
This dish provides 5.8 grams of fiber per serving.
Can I substitute the chicken thighs?
While thighs are recommended for moisture, you could use chicken breast, though the texture may be slightly drier.
How do I shred the chicken?
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crockpot and use two forks to shred the meat before returning it to the pot.
What vegetables are included in the base?
The base includes diced white onion, chopped hatch chilies, and chopped celery ribs.
Do I need to peel the hatch chilies?
The recipe instructions suggest deseeding and chopping them for the slow cooker.
Can I use full-fat cream cheese?
Yes, while the recipe specifies low-fat cream cheese, full-fat cream cheese will result in an even richer consistency.
What is the purpose of the final 30 minutes of cooking?
Cooking on high for the final 30 minutes helps meld the flavors together after adding the cream cheese and chicken.
How much paprika is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of paprika.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
Based on the nutritional data provided, there is no significant sugar content in this recipe.
What equipment is needed for this recipe?
You will need a slow cooker (crockpot), a potato masher for the beans, and forks for shredding the chicken.
How much cumin is in the spice mix?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of ground cumin.
Should I drain the beans after soaking?
Yes, you should drain the soaking water before transferring the beans to the slow cooker.
Can I add more heat to this chili?
Yes, you can adjust the pepper or add extra chili seasoning to reach your desired heat level.