Ghostly White Chicken Chili
This creamy chicken chili with white beans and Monterey Jack cheese is a cozy, slightly spooky twist on comfort food, perfect for weeknights and potlucks.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, drained and rinsed (cannellini or great northern)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup sour cream or cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Sliced jalapeños, for garnish (optional) optional for added heat
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Sear the chicken for 5–7 minutes per side until cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Remove to a plate and let cool.
- In the same pot, sauté the diced onion for 3–4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the drained white beans and the diced green chilies. Stir to combine with the aromatics.
Cooking
- Pour in 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, and ½ teaspoon smoked paprika. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes so the flavors meld.
- While the chili simmers, shred the cooled chicken with two forks.
- Return shredded chicken to the pot and stir to combine. Lower the heat.
- Stir in 1 cup sour cream or softened cream cheese until fully incorporated. Keep the mixture warm but do not boil to prevent dairy from separating.
- Add 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese and stir until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra spices.
- Remove from heat and let rest for a few minutes before serving to thicken slightly.
Notes
This chili is great for meal prep as it reheats beautifully. For a quicker meal, use rotisserie chicken. Serve with tortilla chips or warm corn tortillas.