White Chicken Chili

Name: White Chicken Chili
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cans (4 oz each) diced green chiles; 1 tbsp ground cumin; 1 tsp dried oregano; 4 cups chicken broth; 3 cups cooked shredded chicken; 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, drained and rinsed; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese; Salt and pepper, to taste

6 servings15 min prep40 min cookEasy

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of White Chicken Chili

Story updated September 18, 2026

White chicken chili emerged as a lighter, late-20th-century American twist on traditional chili, swapping beef and red beans for chicken, white beans, and green chiles. It has no deep historical lineage but reflects chili's flexibility as an evolving American dish.

Ingredients

Scale:· 6 servings

2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans (4 oz each) diced green chiles
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
4 cups chicken broth
3 cups cooked shredded chicken
2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and cook the onion for 5 minutes until softened.
2Stir in the garlic, green chiles, cumin, and oregano, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3Add the chicken broth and half of the white beans, and bring to a simmer.
4Mash the remaining beans lightly with a fork and stir them in to help thicken the chili.
5Add the shredded chicken and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the sour cream and shredded cheese until melted and smooth.
7Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

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