With some simple ingredients, you’re on your way to comfort town! This easy white chicken chili recipe combines lots of white beans, chicken and peppers for one satisfying meal. Garnish to taste with your favourite toppings, or simply enjoy as is!

Two bowls of white chicken chili with toppings.

“How you doin’?” Remember that line from Joey from Friends? Never gets old. How is January treating you? We are now into the second half of the month.

Then, it’s February and winter is practically over. Before you know it, it’ll be spring! Gotta have positive thinking, am I right??

This time of year we tend to curl up inside (watching our favourite shows) and enjoy all sorts of comfort food, like turkey chili, hunter’s chicken, baked gnocchi and chicken chili (especially served with a big hunk of cornbread). You too?

Ingredients for White Chicken Chili

With just some simple ingredients you have on hand, you could be on your way to some belly warming chicken chili! What goes in this white chili?

Peppers
Olive oil
Aromatics like onion and garlic
Chicken (of course)
Spices, like cumin, coriander and some salt and pepper
Chicken broth
Fresh chili pepper
Beans for heft and to add creaminess
Fresh lime juice for a pop of fresh flavour

Have these ingredients on hand? Chances are you do!

Ingredients for an easy white chicken chili recipe.

Friends gave us some homegrown peppers (along with some tomatoes, which aren’t pictured here cause they are in our bellies). I roasted them off to add to this white chicken chili recipe.

I actually made this recipe a few times, with various peppers (including bell) and it worked lovely each time, so use what ya have on hand. Just keep in mind that it may take a bit longer to broil your peppers if they are larger.

How To Make Chicken Chili

Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:

First, get your peppers going. Broil those, and after they’ve broiled cover them for a bit to loosen their skins, then remove most of it (along with the seeds). Chop and lay to one side for later.
Heat some cooking oil in a pot. Cook onion until softened, then add garlic and hot pepper.
To pot, add chicken, salt, pepper and spices.
Mash one can of kidney beans and leave one whole. Stir into pot. Add broth and cook.
Finally, add reserved peppers and the juice of one lime.
Serve, garnish with your favourite chili toppings, and dig in!

Tips and Variations

This chili is thinner than a traditional red sauce chili. I used 3 cups of broth in this recipe. If you want a thicker chili, use less broth.
I used habanero pepper in this recipe, which is quite spicy. You can use cayenne pepper instead, or less hot chili or not at all. Use what best works for you.
Chicken thighs were used here because lately they have been my go-to. I still enjoy chicken breasts, but I love that chicken thighs can withstand a longer cooking time and they have a little more flavour, if you ask me. If you prefer, you can totally use chicken breast here or even a combo of both.
Instead of anaheim peppers, you can use bell pepper (colour of choice) or one can of diced green chilies (drained).
If you use a bell pepper, it will take a little longer to char (no biggie). Just watch it and broil until the skin has charred all over and it has softened.

Spoonful of white chicken chili from a bowl.

Garnish Ideas

Garnish to your heart’s content! You know I love to garnish! Some delicious options are:

Avocado
Sour cream
Chili pepper
Diced red onion
Green onion
Freshly squeezed lime
Cilantro

So, cilantro. Love it or not? There certainly is an argument for cilantro on both sides. I’ve heard that those who don’t like cilantro are genetically hard wired that way and for them, it tastes like soap. Funny, huh?

Years ago, I absolutely did not like it and, yes, it tasted soapy to me. I was not about to give up (especially when it comes to food), so I kept trying it and trying it. Now? Love it! Use it all the time and it’s stocked in my fridge just as common as wine is, LOL. I kid, I kid.

The point is, you don’t have to use cilantro. Garnish with what you like. Do what makes your belly do a little happy dance.

More Comfort Food Recipes

If you make this easy white chicken chili recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!