Chipotle Chicken and White Bean Chili
Updated Feb 18, 2022, Published Dec 12, 2015
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Chipotle Chicken and White Bean Chili packs a lot of flavor for not a lot of labor! Take a pot of this to any get-together and it will be the hit of the party!
Hello, holiday crazy! Goodbye, mealtime stress with my Chipotle Chicken and White Bean Chili!
Here’s my super-fast recipe for Chipotle Chicken and White Bean Chili for a quick and hearty wintertime meal that won’t stress you out. It’s perfect for a weeknight or for when you’re too busy to cook but you want something hearty and comforting. It’s crazy full of flavor without a lot of labor!
Take a pot of this to a football get-together and it will be the hit of the party!
Tips for making Chipotle Chicken and White Bean Chili:
- If you’re feeling industrious, you can make your own green enchilada sauce. But, we’re talking easy here so just use a good quality brand. If you want to make your own, here’s a recipe from Chili Pepper Madness.
- I usually have the best luck with premade ingredients such as green enchilada sauce when I get them at a local international or Hispanic market versus the local grocery store.
- There’s nothing wrong with using canned beans if the beans are not the focal point of the dish and there are lots of other textures going on.
- Be sure to rinse the beans well as the liquid they’re in can be on the salty side. You also don’t want the liquid they’re packed in diluting these rocking flavors!
- Instead of chicken, feel free to use that leftover turkey from Thanksgiving you have stored in the freezer. (You DID store it in the freezer, I hope!)
Add all the best chili fixings! Sour cream, chopped scallion, cilantro and avocado or anything else your heart desires!
Ta-daa! Dinner is done and so very good!
More spicy soup, stew and chili recipes:
- Chorizo, White Bean and Vegetable Soup
- Slow Cooker Southwestern Turkey, Butternut Squash and Black Bean Stew
- Turkey, Black Bean and Quinoa Chili
- Slow Cooker Chipotle Split Pea Soup with Ham
- Slow Cooker Colorado Green Chili
- Beef and Chorizo Chili with Black Beans
Chipotle Chicken and White Bean Chili
Ingredients
- 1-2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
- 1 can (15-ounce) chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 large green bell pepper, or Poblano pepper, chopped
- 2 jalapeno peppers, finely chopped (seeded if desired)
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano, preferably Mexican
- 1 large bay leaf
- 1 can (28-ounce) green enchilada sauce
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breast halves, about 1 pound, cut into several large pieces
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 cans (15-ounce) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- Sour cream and chopped scallion, for serving
Instructions
- Combine the chipotle pepper(s) and chicken broth in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion, green or Poblano pepper and jalapenos, reduce heat to medium and cook 8-10 minutes or until softened, stirring frequently.
- Add garlic, cumin, oregano and bay leaf and cook 30 seconds.
- Add green enchilada sauce, chicken broth/chipotle combination and chicken.
- Bring to a boil and cook 15 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cool slightly.
- Shred the chicken, add it back to the chili along with beans. Bring back to a simmer to heat through. Discard bay leaf and stir in cilantro.
- Serve with sour cream and scallions.
Notes
- Make up to 2 days ahead. Cool thoroughly and refrigerate.
- Reheat on the stovetop 10-12 minutes or until heated through.
- Cool thoroughly. Freeze up to 2 months in the desired quantity.
- Thaw in the refrigerator or slowly in the microwave. Reheat on the stovetop.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
This will be our go to chicken chili recipe from now on. Pleasant amount of heat and a little sour cream and cilantro on top make this so tasty! A side of corn bread has made a great lunch or dinner.
Hi, Tracy, Thanks so very much and happy you love this recipe! Appreciate your trying the recipe and taking the time to come back and comment and rate.
Made this a few weeks ago and was so good. making again today. Honestly we are not big on hot/ spicy so we tuned it down. No hot Chillies, no enchilada sauce, no jalapeños…just red bell peppers and all the other ingredients. I did add a bit more broth. Turned out good and reheated well. Great on a cold day and had plenty for another serving. Thank you very much!
Hi, Cheryl, Thanks so much and happy you were able to make this soup your own. Appreciate your trying the recipe and leaving such a nice comment and the rating.
I can’t get enough of this yummy chili! I have made it many times now for my family and several friends and it’s always a huge hit. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Thank you, Shannon! So glad you and yours are enjoying! Please stay in touch!
Thank you, Shannon! Glad you enjoyed and please stay in touch!
I made this tonight. It was easy, so flavorful, and a huge hit! This will be added to my favorite recipes and made as often as possible. Thank you!
I was having a craving for white chili or chicken tortilla soup and then this recipe popped up in my facebook feed! I had almost all the items on hand. I used a white beans and a can of kidney, but it worked out great. Delicious!!
Awesome. Thanks so much, Rick!
Great looking recipe Carol. I make a similar white chicken chili, but yours takes it to another level! I’ve got to make this. Looks like spicy goodness.
Thanks, Joe!