3 Bean Chicken Chili Recipe

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This 3 Bean White Chicken Chili is the perfect cozy dinner for a chilly night! Made with tender chicken, three kinds of creamy white beans, green chiles, garlic, onion, and warm spices, this hearty chicken chili is packed with flavor.
Unlike traditional chili made with tomatoes and ground beef, this white chicken chili recipe has a lighter, creamy broth and plenty of tender chicken and beans in every bite.
And with three different types of white beans—Great Northern, Navy, and Cannellini—you get a delicious combination of textures in every spoonful.
Top a steaming bowl with cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, or a squeeze of lime, grab some tortilla chips, and you’ve got the ultimate cold-weather comfort meal.

Why You’ll Love This 3 Bean Chicken Chili

There are plenty of reasons to add this white chicken chili to your dinner rotation:

• Three kinds of beans give the chili plenty of texture and flavor.
• Tender chicken makes it hearty and satisfying.
• Green chiles add a delicious Southwestern-style flavor.
• Warm spices including cumin and oregano give the broth plenty of flavor.
• The milk and masa mixture gives the chili a slightly creamy consistency.
• It’s perfect for cold weather and cozy nights at home.
• It’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner but special enough for a family gathering or game day.

What Kind of Beans Are Best for White Chicken Chili?

This chili is filled with white beans. Now which bean is best is a personal choice, but for a chicken chili I think white beans go best. For this recipe we used Great Northern Beans, Navy Beans, and Cannelloni Beans.

Making this White Bean Chicken Chili

This chicken chili starts with the chicken. This recipe calls for boneless chicken thighs, but you could use boneless chicken breasts

Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then you will cook it in a little bit of oil over medium heat. Then take the chicken out when cooked. The chicken is in chunks when you cook it, but if you prefer a shred texture you could do that instead.

Then add the diced onions, garlic, chopped green chiles, and broth.

Stir as it comes to a simmer. Then it’s time to add some more flavor with some great spices. Then add the chicken back in.

In a separate bowl you combine the milk and masa. After the chili has simmered for 30 minutes you’ll add this in.

Next comes the star of the white bean chili recipe – the beans! Let the beans heat through and tender, about 5 minutes before serving.

You can sprinkle with some cheddar cheese, or pepper jack. A squeeze of lime juice is great on top. I think some crushed tortilla chips on top would be great too for texture.

Check out this great chili recipe!

3 Bean Chicken Chili Recipe

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Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 35 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cups cubed boneless chicken I used thighs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 whole onion chopped
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 2 cans green chili
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon white pepper
• 1 15 oz can of Great Northern Beans drained and rinsed
• 1 15 oz can of Navy Beans drained and rinsed
• 1 14 oz can of cannelloni beans drained and rinsed
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons masa

Garnish Options

• Cilantro
• Monterey Jack Cheese shredded and/or Queso Fresco crumbled
• Sour cream

Instructions

• 1. In a bowl season chicken with garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of black pepper. In a 6-quart Dutch oven heat oil over medium-high heat, add in chicken, brown slightly, lower heat to medium, cover and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken has cooked, if desired add in a tablespoon of water. Once the chicken is cooked, remove from the pot.
  
• 2. Raise heat to medium-high and saute onions for 2 minutes, add in minced garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds. Add chopped chili's, broth, and seasonings. Mix well, add in chicken again. Cook for 30 minutes.
  
• 
• 3. In a small bowl, whisk together milk and masa. After the 30 minutes, lower the heat to medium-low and add in milk and masa mixture, mix. Cook for an additional five minutes and add in the beans. Continue cooking for five minutes to heat the beans through (you can leave it in longer, but then the beans begin to break down).
  
• 4. Serve and garnish with cilantro, cheese, and sour cream -if desired.
  

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What Kind of Beans Are Best for White Chicken Chili?

Use Chicken Thighs or Breasts

Boneless chicken thighs are my favorite for this recipe because they stay juicy and tender.

However, boneless chicken breasts work just as well if that’s what you prefer.

Don’t Skip the Green Chiles

The green chiles add a lot of flavor without making the chili overwhelmingly spicy.

If you’re sensitive to heat, choose mild green chiles.

Add the Beans Near the End

Because the canned beans are already cooked, they don’t need to simmer for the entire cooking time.

Adding them near the end helps them maintain their shape and texture.

Adjust the Consistency

If you prefer a thicker chili, allow it to simmer a little longer after adding the milk and masa.

For a thinner chili, add a little additional chicken broth.

Make It Your Own

This recipe is easy to customize.

Add diced jalapeños for extra heat, corn for a little sweetness, or additional green chiles for more Southwestern flavor.

Can I Make This Chicken Chili Ahead of Time?

Absolutely.

In fact, chili is one of those meals that can taste even better after the flavors have had time to mingle.

Prepare the chili according to the recipe and store it covered in the refrigerator.

When you’re ready to serve, gently reheat it on the stovetop.

If the chili thickens while refrigerated, add a splash of chicken broth or milk while reheating until it reaches your preferred consistency.

Can I Freeze 3 Bean Chicken Chili?

Yes, this chicken chili can be frozen.

Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers.

When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw it in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

You may need to add a little extra broth when reheating if the chili has thickened.

What Are the Best Toppings for White Chicken Chili?

This is where everyone can make their bowl their own!

Some of my favorite toppings include:

• Cheese: Monterey Jack, cheddar, queso fresco, or pepper jack.
• Creamy toppings: Sour cream or avocado.
• Fresh toppings: Cilantro, green onion, or fresh lime juice.
• Crunchy toppings: Tortilla chips or tortilla strips.
• Spicy toppings: Jalapeños or your favorite hot sauce.

I especially love a squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving. It adds a bright flavor that balances the creamy chili beautifully.

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