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Ultra close-up macro view of creamy white chicken chili bubbling in a rustic Dutch oven with tender shredded chicken, white cannellini beans, golden corn, and melted Monterey Jack cheese

Creamy One-Pot White Chicken Chili (Cozy Fall Dinner)

This viral creamy white chicken chili is the ultimate cold-weather comfort food. Packed with tender shredded chicken breast, buttery white cannellini beans, sweet golden corn, and mild green chiles simmered in a velvety, spice-infused broth enriched with cream cheese and melted Monterey Jack. Ready in 35 minutes in a single pot!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 generous bowls
Course: Chili, Dinner, Soups & Stews
Cuisine: American, Autumn Comfort Food, Tex-Mex
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Aromatics & Spiced Chicken Base
  • 1.5 lbs (about 700g) boneless skinless chicken breasts (or boneless thighs)
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion (finely diced)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 cans (4 oz each) diced mild green chiles (such as Hatch or Ortega)
  • 1.5 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried Mexican oregano (or regular oregano)
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt (plus more to taste)
  • 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Broth, Beans & Silky Cheesy Finish
  • 4 cups (1 quart) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans or Great Northern beans (rinsed & drained)
  • 1.5 cups sweet corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or drained canned)
  • 4 oz (115g) cream cheese (softened, cubed at room temperature)
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or Pepper Jack for a kick)
  • 1 whole fresh lime (juiced, about 2 tbsp)
Gourmet Toppings & Serving
  • 1 large ripe avocado (sliced or diced)
  • 0.5 cup fresh cilantro leaves (coarsely chopped)
  • 1 medium jalapeño pepper (thinly sliced)
  • 0.5 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1 bag artisan crispy corn tortilla chips

Method
 

Sauté Aromatics & Spices
  1. Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in minced garlic, green chiles, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Simmer Chicken in Rich Broth
  1. Pour in the chicken broth, then nestle the raw whole chicken breasts directly into the liquid. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes until chicken registers 165°F (74°C) internally.
Shred Chicken & Thicken Beans
  1. Remove chicken breasts to a clean board and shred into bite-sized shreds using two forks. In a small bowl, take 1/2 cup of the drained white beans and mash them with a fork (adding this mash back creates natural restaurant-level body and thickness).
Melt Cream Cheese & Fold Everything Together
  1. Stir the shredded chicken, whole beans, mashed beans, and sweet corn back into the pot. Reduce heat to low, add the softened cubed cream cheese, and whisk continuously until completely melted and smooth. Stir in shredded Monterey Jack cheese until rich and velvety.
Finish with Fresh Lime & Serve Hot
  1. Remove from heat, squeeze in fresh lime juice, and season with extra salt or black pepper to taste. Ladle into deep bowls and crown with sliced avocado, jalapeño rings, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and warm tortilla chips!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 38gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 680mgPotassium: 720mgFiber: 7gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 18IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 18mg

Notes

Chef's Pro Tip: The secret to velvety broth that never curdles is room-temperature cream cheese! Cut the cream cheese into 1-inch cubes and let it sit on the counter while the chicken simmers. Whisking it into the hot chili off direct bubbling heat ensures a satin-smooth emulsion without small white flecks. For extra richness, mashing half a cup of cannellini beans thickens the soup base naturally without needing excess cornstarch or flour!

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