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Kid-Friendly Creamy White Chicken Chili: Easy 30-Minute Meal

kid-friendly creamy white chicken chili - featured image
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This creamy white chicken chili is a quick, 30-minute meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Made with simple ingredients like rotisserie chicken, cannellini beans, and cream cheese, it’s a family-friendly comfort food that even picky eaters will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely minced (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (mild for kids, or skip)
  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) cannellini beans or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles, drained
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
  • ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken recommended)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
  • Shredded Monterey Jack cheese (for garnish)
  • Tortilla chips or strips (for garnish)
  • Lime wedges (for garnish)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until soft and translucent.
  2. Add the minced garlic, jalapeño (if using), cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits. Add the drained beans and diced green chiles. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Using an immersion blender, blend about half the chili directly in the pot until smooth, leaving some whole beans for texture. (Alternatively, transfer 2 cups of chili to a regular blender, blend until smooth, and return to the pot.)
  5. Reduce heat to low. Add the cubed cream cheese and stir until completely melted and incorporated, about 2 minutes. Then pour in the heavy cream and stir until combined.
  6. Stir in the shredded chicken and let it heat through for 3-4 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  7. Ladle the chili into bowls and top with desired garnishes: Monterey Jack cheese, fresh cilantro, tortilla chips, lime wedges, and sour cream.

Notes

For best results, use full-fat cream cheese at room temperature to avoid clumping. Don’t skip the blending step—it creates the signature creamy texture. Season gradually, as canned beans and broths vary in saltiness. Keep heat low after adding dairy to prevent separation. Leftovers taste even better the next day and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: white chicken chili, creamy chili, kid-friendly chili, 30-minute meal, easy dinner, family dinner, comfort food, white chili

Find it online: https://bitesienna.com/kid-friendly-creamy-white-chicken-chili-easy-30-minute-meal/