White Chili is a delicious hearty stew that is enjoyed year-round in Texas. Different from a classic bowl of red, white chili is made with chicken meat and green chilies.
This recipe for White Chili is exceptionally easy. I insist that you use chicken breasts that have rib bones and skin. Boneless, skinless chicken breast have absolutely no flavor, so don’t buy them! Simply remove the skin before you cook and remove the rib bones after the chicken is cooked. Believe me, the flavor will be so much better.
Delicious and Easy!
Another true kitchen hack for making any stew or chili is to make it one day in advance of serving. Even though the flavors of this White Chili are incredibly delicious, the flavors will mellow and blend after 24 hours in the refrigerator. And isn’t it nice to come home to a meal that is already cooked and just needs reheating? My favorite meals are the ones that are extra easy!
What are the fun things about eating a bowl of White Chili is the garnishes. I very much love super sharp cheddar cheese as a topping, as well as green onions. Chopped pecans or almonds, chopped fresh sweet corn, sour cream, hot sauce… the creative garnishes that you could add are endless. I absolutely adore making fresh chicken cracklings from the chicken skin that I remove from the chicken breast! Make sure to check out my technique on the video above.
You can also use this dish as a topping for chicken nachos or tostadas. Once you have the chili ready, you can turn it into a variety of other dishes!
Excellent Year Round
Of course, an ice cold beer will be an excellent acompaniment to this dish. Try a white wine sangria too!
Try making White Chili as an alternative to classic chile con carne. I am sure this easy recipe will quickly become part of your regular offerings at the family table!
PrintWhite Chili is Rich and Hearty
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
2 tbsp. vegetable oil (30ml)
1 onion, chopped
2 lbs. chicken breasts with ribs, skin removed (1kg)
1 qt chicken stock (1 lt)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. ground cumin (2.5g)
1 tsp. salt, or to taste (4g)
1 tsp. ground black pepper, or to taste (2g)
4–5 fresh Anaheim or Poblano chiles
¼ cup instant corn tortilla mix (25g)
Garnishes and sides:
Rice or noodles
Cheddar cheese
Green onions
Sliced avocado
Instructions
Heat the vegetable oil in a 4 qt (4lt) Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions and allow to brown until translucent. Chop the chicken breasts into several pieces, keeping the rib bones attached. Add the chicken breasts to the Dutch oven, and allow to cook until well browned, about 15 minutes. The chicken does not need to be completely cooked.
Add the chicken stock and allow the Dutch oven to return to a low simmer. Add the garlic, cumin, salt and pepper. Cover the pot, and simmer for about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the chiles. Roast the uncooked chiles over a gas flame or under the broiler in an electric oven. Roast until well browned and blistered. Remove the chiles from the heat and place in a clean kitchen towel. Roll the chiles and towel into a bundle and then place the bundle in a paper bag so that the chiles sweat for 10-20 minutes.
Remove the chiles from the bag and bundle, peel away the loosened skin, and remove the stem and seeds. Rinse any remaining seeds away under running water or in a bowl of water. Cut the chiles into strips and then dice.
Remove the pieces of chicken breast from the pot wit a fork or slotted spoon. Remove and discard the rib bones. Using a cleaver, chop the chicken meat finely. Return the chicken meat to the pot and add the dry corn tortilla mix. Add the prepared chiles to the Dutch oven. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
Serve the white chili over rice and garnish with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions and sliced avocado.
Notes
If you choose to roast the chiles over a live fire, brush the chiles with extra vegetable oil so they do not dry out. Do not use extra oil when roasting chiles directly over a live gas flame. Brushing with vegetable oil is optional when roasting under under the broiler in an electric oven.
White Chili has better flavor when made the day before serving.
I can’t wait to make this!!!!
We really enjoyed it! I hope you do too! Hugs