Hello, we're back up North where it's cold, and we're craving our Spicy White Chicken Chilli that is wickedly good and piquant. Are you ready for some hearty comfort food that warms the heart and heats up the tummy?
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If you're more a mild fan, don't worry, you control the heat. Zesty or mild the taste is incredible. Remember Hurricane Matthew? We are stuck in a motel, without power, and all we can think of is hot soup. We talk about all the soups we love, but at that time we can't decide which one to make. Then on the drive home, the idea comes to us like a bolt of lightening -- Spicy White Chicken Chili.
Yes! Spicy White Chicken Chili is what we need.
Our Origin for Spicy White Chicken Chili
For years we are of the mindset that it isn't chili unless it has beef, beans, and tomatoes. Then one day we get just a little feisty and decide to try our hand at something different --white chicken chili. The elements we're looking for are spice, chicken, beans, and a southwest flavor. We find what we're looking for in the soup.
Twenty plus year ago, white chicken chili let alone spicy white chicken chili was virtually unknown.
Do you ever wonder how a person creates a recipe? I believe that most times it's out of necessity. Isn't necessity the mother of invention? When you don't have all the ingredients to a recipe, you become creative. Here's the way I think spicy white chicken chili came about.
It's another cold rainy day in the Southwest; it's the kind of day you can't get warm, and all you want to do is stay indoors.
The Creation of Spicy White Chicken Chili
The Mr. turns from the kitchen window and says to the Mrs., "Let's make some chili. I'm craving hot and tasty."
The Mrs. looks up from washing the breakfast dishes and answers, "I have chicken, it's thawing in the ice box, but we don't have beef or red beans. I was supposed to go to Sonny's Produce and Meat yesterday to get supplies. The rain flooded our road, and lots of folks can't get into town."
"What do we have in the pantry?" asks the Mr.
The Mrs. walks over to the pantry and sees white beans. An idea starts to form, and she says, "Why don't we use chicken and white beans instead of red?"
The Mr. scratches his chin and thinks this over. "Yeah," he says, "but it won't taste like chili. I'm hankering for chili."
"The taste of chili doesn't come from the beef and red beans," says the Mrs. "Cumin is what gives the soup that particular flavor. Instead of chili powder we can make it spicy with the chopped green chilies I canned."
Spicy White Chicken Chili is fast and easy
The first time we make the chili we don't have a recipe so we have to figure out how to get that chili taste and still keep it white. Well, it's a slap your forehead moment for us. Just like the Mrs. said, the chili taste comes from neutral-in-color cumin and NOT red chili powder.
Instead of using dried red beans we use Great Northern beans which are white. We also use chicken broth for the stock. Our prep time takes only 10 minutes and the cooking time only 45 minutes.
When we serve the spicy white chicken chili we squeeze a bit of lime juice on it to give it a bigger kick of flavor. To finish it off, we add aa dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro.
You've got to try the recipe. The white chicken chili is bright and full of flavor. Even a sworn chili con carne lover will agree that this spicy white chicken chili can take the stage with its red chili brother any old day.
Tutti a tavola è pronto
Un caro saluto e alla prossima
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📖 Recipe
Wickedly Good Spicy White Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- 2 15- ounce cans white beans drained (we used Great Northern)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 7 ounce can chopped green chilies
- 1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 serrano pepper finely chopped ( eliminate if you prefer a milder chili)
- 3 dried bay leaves
- 1 Tablespoon Goya's Sazonador Complete seasoning may use 1 ½ teaspoons Kosher salt instead**
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breast or 2 pounds chicken boneless thighs trimmed of excess fat and diced into ½ to ¾ inch pieces thighs work better than breast
- 3 cups chicken stock
- Lime wedges and sour cream before serving
- Fresh chopped cilantro for garnish
- Tortilla chips for garnish
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, sauté onions in olive oil on medium high heat until tender, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, cloves, cumin, Sazonador (or salt) and cook a minute more. Add the green chilies, dried oregano and serrano chili (if using).
- Add the chicken pieces, chicken stock, and bay leaves. Increase the heat to high and bring to a simmer. Lower the heat to low and cover. Simmer for 20 minutes, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Add the drained canned beans and cook for an additional 15 minutes. Taste and add more salt if needed.
- Serve topped with a squeeze of lime, a dollop of sour cream, sprinkle of chopped cilantro, and tortilla chips.
Notes
Nutrition
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Susie
Hi Marisa, Good minds must think alike.....Even though weather is still warm in Arizona, we had chicken chili this week. Your recipe sounds delish and I plan to give it a try......
Dee | Grammy's Grid
My hubby would like this recipe! Thanks so much for linking up at #AThemedLinkup 8 for Soup Recipes. Pinned.
Veena Azmanov
Many people say chili is for winter but to me... chili is any time of the year. I love a hot bowl of chili even in summer when it's hot. The spicier the better. Saving this for later. Sounds yum.
Marisa Franca
I agree, Veena!! Soup is apropos any time of year.
Jolina
I know it's the middle of summer but I can seriously have soup all year long. In fact I had some for lunch today teehee. This looks delicious. I love that's it's wickedly spicy too!!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Jolina!! Yep!! Let's spice up our life with soup!!
Michelle
Yum I love chili, and chicken chili is the bomb. I love the way you imagined this got invented!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Michelle. I do have quite the imagination. ????
Denise
This looks like one that my hubby will love. We like chili and he likes to use peppers from his garden. No matter that it's summer. I'm actually cold sitting here in the air conditioning! I wanted to ask, what is in Goya’s Sazonador Complete seasoning? I was just curious. I know you said we can use Kosher salt instead. Looks yummy!
Marisa Franca
Sounds like I'm in the same situation as you, Denise. It's cold and clammy and the A/C is on. Chili is great tasting. Goya's Sazonador Total seasoning has a really nice combination of garlic, onion, oregano, cumin, parsley, salt, and pepper. I'm sure there are some hidden ingredients in it but we like the combination. It tastes great on veggies too.
Gloria
I could eat chili all year long. Spicy chili is the best. Making it with chicken is a nice change of pace....and this would be perfect for camping season.
Swathi
This ultimate comfort for cold days, especially dark ones. I love that you make chili with spices more spices makes everything delicious to me. Love it.
Jessica (Swanky Recipes)
I seriously cannot get enough chili this time of year and it's not even that cold here yet. Even in the heat, I'll still make my favorite hot dishes. Can't wait to share this one with the family!
Teri
This one is going straight to my "must make" recipe section. LOOOOOve everything you have going on in this. I am going to love this recipe.
Marisa Franca
If you like spicy, Teri, you'll love this. We like the taste of chili (cumin) without the tomato in it just for a change.
Catherine
Sometimes I love to just clear out the fridge and pantry...it's a great way to start fresh and use up what you have. This is a perfect dish to make when the temps cool down and you don't feel like heading out to the store. Such a comforting dish! xo
Marisa Franca
I truly understand, Catherine! We normally have beans, broth, and chicken on hand. The rest we keep "just in case." So when the desire hits we can whip up a pot of white chili.
Lauren
The perfect cold weather food. Looks delicious 🙂
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Lauren.
karyn
This is perfect winter comfort food! Your photos are absolutely amazing. I want to eat the screen!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Karyn! That is so sweet of you to say. Hope you have a chance to make the recipe. I guarantee it'll taste better than your computer. ????
Emma
You know what I think I like the sound of this MORE than regular chilli! Looks Like you had a real eureka moment and created something fantastic!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Emma! We really enjoy this for a change of pace. Have a wonderful week!
Deepika
White Chicken Chilli sounds so tempting. I really don't make chilli more often, but your recipe is tempting me to try it soon. Perfect for the upcoming cold months.
Marisa Franca
It is great during the cooler days and nights, Deepika. Hope you give it a try.
Adriana Lopez Martin
You bet this is wickedly good I wish I coudl ave a bowl now. I enjoy chili and have not made green chili just yet. Must try your recipe soon.
Marisa Franca
Top it with some of your delicious looking green salsa, Adriana! That will really kick up the heat. 🙂
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh
Come on chili weather! I'm waiting patiently. Although I've been known to eat chili year round! 😉 This white chicken chili sounds so tasty.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Joanna! You'll love the white chili if you like regular chili. It has a different flavor that is so delicious!!
Carmen
This sounds amazing! My husband loves perfecting his chili recipe. In fact, he won't even let me make mine anymore, lol. I need to change it up with something that's different enough from his that we aren't competing with each other anymore, haha. This one might be it!
Marisa Franca
I had the same problem with my Honey. I kept saying I wanted to make white chili and he kept pooh-poohing the suggestion. Well, once I made it we had so many compliments with it he took over making that too. ????
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
Most of the recipes I come up with would be adapted to what is in my pantry. Love a good chili recipe and this is just a perfect season for chili. I make mine vegetarian with loads of beans in it and some crusty bread on the side to soak up all the juice.
Noel Lizotte
I love white chicken chilis ... my husband isn't a big fan of beans in his chili, so I've found some recipes that I can tempt him with. This sounds too wonderful. so the heck with him. I'm having beans!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Noel! This is one of my favorite chili recipes. I love the chicken in it and really beans are good for you. Hopefully, you can convince him to give it a try?
Veena Azmanov
OH You are so lucky you can cook spicy food - I love spicy but the kids are still small so have not been making any thing much spicy. I love soups that are spicy and with comfort food around the corner this sounds so perfect. I think I'l make just a little for me. Why not right?
Marisa Franca
Hi, Veena! Perhaps you can split the chili and add the hot spices to yours? It is so good!!
Helene
I hadn't hear do f a white chili before, it's a first for me. I like that you added various flavoring agents and spices. This is a dish for the colder days ahead. I can't wait to try it out for dinner soon but it's still way too hot here, so I will need to wait a bit. 🙂
Marisa Franca
Hello, Helene! Indeed, it is a great dish for the cooler weather. Very warming and satisfying.
Padmajha
Necessity is indeed the mother of all inventions!! Many dishes in my kitchen are born in the similar way! This dish looks perfect for this season!
Marisa Franca
Hello, Padmajha! Sometimes you don't have that important ingredient, substitute, and find that you like the dish better. That happens often in our kitchen. Glad we aren't the only ones.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
With comfort food season just around the corner....BOWLS of goodness will be happening for the next few months. We LOVE LOVE LOVE all kinds of chili, and for hubby the spicer/hotter the better. This looks like a great meal...and leftovers too. Yum....it will heat you up in the cold.
Marisa Franca
That is certainly the way we are, Gloria!! Love that heat. It warms us up! Forget the flannels. :-)!
Shannon
My husband and I made this last night, and it was soooo good. Definitely a keeper!!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Shannon! Thank you so much for the feedback. We really appreciate hearing from you. We're glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Michele
Pantry dinners are some of my best creations! I can't wait to try this with the green chilis.... what a great idea!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Michele! We are sold on the green chilis 🙂
Taylor @ The Girl on Bloor
This looks so delicious, and the perfect bowl of comfort food after a long, cold day. Give me a couch and some Netflix, stat!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Taylor. May I join you and watch Netflix too?:-)
Fiona
Just in time for winter. I love white chili - this recipe looks absolutely delicious!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Fiona! It is good and nothing like warming up from the inside out.
Amy
I think I actually prefer a white chicken chili to its more traditional counterpart! It's so delicious and your recipe sounds wonderful!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Amy! I do like the white chili for a change.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
This looks so yummy. I love chili. I've got to try this.
Marisa Franca
I don't believe the chili will be a disappointment, Elaine.
Frank
Sounds nice, Marisa Franca! I really like Mexican flavors and colors of this dish are really lovely.
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Frank! Hope you have a great day!
Kathryn Occhipinti
Grazie! The perfect recipe now that the chill of fall weather has set in!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Kathryn. Love your last name, painted eyes.
Ciao Chow Linda
I love your inventiveness. Your chili looks wonderful and a nice change from tradition.
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Linda. I really appreciate the compliment and your opinion.
Susie
Yes...... like you, we look forward to the fall season and hot soups. I've made a similar soup like your recipe.....I definitely plan to add hot spices for kick.....family will love it! Thanks, for another great soup recipe....Its on my menu for next week!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Susie! Yes, the soup tasted so good we appreciated every spoonful.
Elizabeth | Ellie & Elizabeth
This. chili. hmmmmm mmmmmm good! It's still hot here in KY but as soon as a cold spell happens, this is on my table. Sounds delish!!!!! I love that you top with sour cream and lime. Can I just live with you so I can eat your cooking all the time??
Love,
Elizabeth
Marisa Franca
Sure! Bring the entire family -- I'd love to spoil Ellie. Big Hugs!
Jovina Coughlin
I agree completely - the best recipes come from what is in the pantry or refrigerator. The trick then is to remember to write down what you did, if it turns out well.
Your chili looks great and I love chicken, so I will make your recipe.
Marisa Franca
I know Jovina! Hubby and I want to do a recipe, and sure enough, there is something missing. Well, we don't want to spend our lives in the grocery store 🙂 I think you'll enjoy the recipe.