White Bean Chicken Chili with Cream Cheese-This is one of the most exceptional creamy white bean chicken chilis with cream cheese. Unlike the typical tomato-based chili, this recipe is both delicious and warming on a cold day, featuring white beans, chicken, and cream cheese.
The most prominent ingredients in its somewhat hot, creamy, and salty flavors are garlic, cumin, cilantro, and green chiles. This is easily made chili by which it is perfect for dinner with family, a get together with friends, or even prep for meals-using either the Instant Pot, stovetop, or a slow cooker.
Ingredients And Preparations
The following are the ingredients of this heart-warming and mouth-watering white bean chicken chili:
Core Ingredients
- Chicken: One to 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
- White Beans: White beans, of course, are always cannellini or Great Northerns. Use two 15-ounce cans.
- Cream Cheese: This is to add your rich or creamy texture to the dish. You’ll want approximately 8 ounces of cream cheese.
- Green Chiles: These just give a little something to make it spicy. Take a 4-ounce can of chopped green chiles.
- Chicken Broth: Use about 4 cups of this to make the base of your chili.
- Aromatics And Spices: Onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, and chili powder.
- Corn: Drain 1 can whole kernel corn for sweetness and texture.
- Cilantro: Chop a large handful of fresh cilantro for flavor and brightness.
Cooking Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix chicken, beans, broth, onions, garlic, and green chili in a crock pot or large pot. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours.
- Shred Chicken: Remove chicken cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F from the crock pot and shred with two forks.
- Add Cream Cheese: Add softened cream cheese to the chili; do not mix it in. The warmth of the chili will melt and completely blend it.
- Return the Chicken: Add shredded chicken to the chili and mix well. Let cook for 10 minutes to let all flavors come together.
- Toppings: Toppings may include shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, tortilla chips, and lime wedges, among other items you wish to add to chili.
Flavor Profile And Texture
What makes this white bean chicken chili famous is its creamy, smooth texture. Cream cheese forms a good base, and when a little mashed, the white beans can work as a natural thicken. This chili is exceptionally green chili and spice-hardened, gentle in heat, however that pales slightly with the creaminess that rounds down perfectly in making it a mild chili that most people will appreciate. For a spicier dish add more jalapeños or cayenne pepper.
Cooking Methods
1. Slow Cooker
This dish is very simple to prepare by a slow cooker. All the ingredients are added into the cooker and leave it for 4-6 hours except the cream cheese. Then shred the chicken and mix with cream cheese and then melt together. The slow cooking will make sure that all flavors combine right in good way.
2. Stovetop
If you don’t have time to spend, it goes faster on the stovetop. Sauté the onions, garlic, and spices before adding in the chicken, beans, broth, and chiles. Let it all simmer for 30-40 minutes; stir the cream cheese into the mix.
3. Instant Pot
For Instant Pot users, combine all of the ingredients except the cream cheese. Set the pressure to manual high for 20 minutes; when the pressure has dropped, shred the chicken and mix with the cream cheese.
Nutritional Benefits
This white chicken chili is not only delicious but healthy, too. White beans have lots of fiber and protein, so the dish is both filling and healthy for your heart. Chicken will give you a lean protein source, and cream cheese keeps it creamy without too much extra fat, especially if you opt for a low-fat version. Avocado or sour cream may be used as a low-carb alternative to corn.
Serving Suggestions
White bean chicken chili is best prepared with accompaniments, such as cornbread, tortilla chips, or a simple green salad. For a complete meal, it should be served with roasted vegetables or baked potatoes. Toppings such as shredded cheese, avocado slices, and cilantro should be added so that everyone gets a chance to have his or her desired selection for the bowl.
How To Store?
These are some of the suggestions that can help in storing your white bean chicken chili with cream cheese.
- Refrigerator: Place cooled chili in airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat on the stove or in microwave before serving.
- Frozen: Package the chili in airtight freezer containers or freezer bags for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then slowly reheat on the stovetop.
- Individual Portions: Portion into individual servings in freezer-safe containers, such as Souper Cubes. This way you can defrost only as much as you need to reheat individual portions more quickly and easily.
Creamy, spicy, savory-white bean chicken chili with cream cheese: it’s rich but the most healthy dish from the creamy flavors. Prepared in a slow cooker, stovetop, or Instant Pot, this dish is versatile, simple, and sure to satisfy. With customizable toppings and sides, this recipe perfects weeknight dinners, game days, and cozy family gatherings.