This White Bean Chicken Chili is a warm, comforting dish packed with gut-friendly ingredients. It’s made with lean chicken, fiber-rich white beans, and anti-inflammatory spices that nourish your digestive system. Even if you’re a kitchen newbie, you’ll have a delicious meal ready in no time.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or bone broth for gut health)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro and lime wedges for garnish
- Optional: plain Greek yogurt for serving
Here’s a simplified recipe for White Bean Chicken Chili, perfect for readers of all cooking levels.
Why You’ll Love This White Bean Chicken Chili Recipe
This White Bean Chicken Chili recipe stands out because of its versatility and rich, comforting flavors. It’s a one-pot wonder that’s perfect for meal prepping or feeding a crowd, saving you time and minimizing cleanup.
The balance of creamy white beans, tender shredded chicken, and aromatic spices offers a hearty yet nourishing meal. Plus, the chili is easy to customize—whether you like it mild or prefer a spicy kick, this recipe adapts to your taste.
This means that you can actually feed the whole family including children. It’s also a great option for those seeking a lighter, protein-packed alternative to traditional beef chili, supporting gut health with fiber-rich ingredients.
Instructions
1. Cook the Chicken: In a large pot, place the chicken breasts and cover them with the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
2. Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, take the chicken out and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
3. Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add a splash of olive oil and sauté the chopped onion until it’s soft and translucent (about 3-5 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
4. Add Spices and Beans: Stir in the cumin, oregano, and diced green chilies. Then, add the white beans and shredded chicken back into the pot.
5. Simmer Everything: Pour in the chicken broth, and let everything simmer for 15-20 minutes to let the flavors come together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the chili into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice, and a dollop of plain Greek yogurt if desired.
Nutritional Benefits of Main Ingredients
- Chicken: High-quality, lean protein that supports muscle repair and keeps you feeling full.
- White Beans: Rich in fiber, which feeds healthy gut bacteria and promotes regular digestion.
- Garlic and Onion: Packed with prebiotics to boost gut health and immune function.
- Bone Broth: Full of collagen, which may help repair the gut lining.
This simple, wholesome recipe is not only flavorful but also works wonders for your gut and overall well-being. Happy cooking and nourishing your body.
Extra Tips for Success
- Boost Flavor: For a richer taste, sauté the spices (cumin and oregano) for about 30 seconds before adding the broth. This helps release their natural oils and deepen the flavor.
- Make It Creamier: If you prefer a creamier chili, blend half a can of the white beans with a bit of broth before adding them to the pot. This gives the chili a thick, velvety texture.
- Add More Veggies: For an extra nutrient boost, toss in diced bell peppers, spinach, or chopped kale. They add vitamins and minerals that support both gut and overall health.
- Spice It Up: If you enjoy heat, add a chopped jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes while sautéing the onions and garlic.
- Prep Ahead: This chili can be made ahead and tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days, or freeze for longer storage.
- Bone Broth Tip: Using bone broth instead of regular chicken broth adds a collagen boost, which is beneficial for gut healing. Just make sure to use a low-sodium version to control the salt level.
- Customizable Toppings: Get creative with toppings! Crushed tortilla chips, diced avocado, or shredded cheese can add variety and make the meal more filling.
Enjoy your White Bean Chicken Chili and remember: a well-fed gut leads to a happy, glowing you.
To make this White Bean Chicken Chili recipe a breeze, here are some handy kitchen tools that I recommend and are available at Amazon:
Recommended Kitchen Cooking Tools
- Dutch Oven or Heavy Pot: A high-quality Dutch oven, like the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, is perfect for simmering chili evenly. It retains heat well and can move from stovetop to oven if needed.
- Immersion Blender: An immersion blender, such as the Mueller Austria Ultra-Stick Hand Blender, is helpful for blending some of the beans to create a creamier texture without transferring hot soup to a blender.
- Garlic Press: Using a sturdy garlic press, like the OXO Good Grips Soft-Handled Garlic Press, can save time and make prepping garlic effortless.
- Chef’s Knife: A reliable, sharp chef’s knife, like the WÜSTHOF Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife, makes chopping chicken, onions, and veggies easy and precise.
- Cutting Board: A non-slip, easy-to-clean cutting board, such as Joseph Joseph Double-Sided Cutting Board, is ideal for preparing vegetables and chicken safely.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: KitchenAid Measuring Cups and Spoons Set ensures that your ingredients are measured accurately for the best flavor.
- Can Opener: A good can opener, like the OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener, is helpful for quickly opening cans of beans and green chiles.
- Ladle: A large ladle, like the Soup Ladle by Zulay Kitchen, makes serving your chili simple and mess-free.
- Food Storage Containers: For meal prepping or storing leftovers, airtight containers such as the Rubbermaid Brilliance Leak-Proof Food Storage Containers are great for keeping your chili fresh.
These tools not only make cooking more efficient but also help to achieve a restaurant-quality white bean chicken chili recipe right in your kitchen.
