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Lighter Creamy White Chicken Chili Perfect for Friendsgiving

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A creamy, hearty white chicken chili that’s lighter than traditional versions, made with blended white beans and Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. Perfect for Friendsgiving gatherings, it comes together in under an hour and pleases even the pickiest eaters.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%)
  • 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles, undrained
  • 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken recommended)
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels
  • Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • For serving: tortilla chips, diced avocado, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, lime wedges, sliced green onions

Instructions

  1. Sauté the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and jalapeño, cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Bloom the spices: Stir in cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  3. Start building the creamy base: Add one can of drained beans and 2 cups of chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer, then remove from heat. Use an immersion blender to blend until smooth and creamy (30-45 seconds).
  4. Add remaining ingredients: Stir in the second can of beans (whole), remaining 1 cup of broth, diced green chiles, shredded chicken, and frozen corn. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Temper the Greek yogurt: In a small bowl, whisk Greek yogurt with about ½ cup of hot chili liquid until smooth. Pour mixture back into the pot and stir well. Cook for 2-3 minutes on low heat. Do not let it boil.
  6. Finish with lime and cilantro: Remove pot from heat. Stir in fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  7. Serve immediately: Ladle into bowls and top with desired garnishes such as tortilla chips, diced avocado, Monterey Jack cheese, and extra cilantro.

Notes

Don’t skip the bean-blending step—it creates the creamy texture without heavy cream. Watch heat levels with jalapeño; remove seeds for less heat. Keep heat low after adding yogurt to prevent curdling. Chili gets better the next day; make ahead and reheat gently. For dairy-free, swap Greek yogurt with full-fat coconut cream or thick cashew cream. Rinse beans to remove excess sodium and starch.

Nutrition

Keywords: white chicken chili, creamy chili, Friendsgiving, healthy chili, white bean chili, chicken chili, light chili, easy chili recipe

Find it online: https://evabake.com/lighter-creamy-white-chicken-chili-perfect-for-friendsgiving/