White Chicken Chili With Poblano Peppers

Cozy up with a bowl of  White Bean Chicken Chili made with tender shredded chicken, poblano chilies, white beans, cilantro, coriander and lime.  Flavorful and hearty, this one-pot meal is nourishing and delicious! Serve it up with Skillet Cornbread and dinner is ready. Video.

Learn the secret to making the best white chicken chili recipe with my chef’s perfected tips and tricks! This Southwest favorite is hearty, healthy, and delicious – made with tender shredded chicken, hearty white beans, fresh poblano chili peppers, cilantro, and lime.

But there are a couple of secret ingredients and techniques that truly elevate this recipe, taking it up a notch and adding depth and zippy brightness.

Poblano Chicken Chili Ingredients

This flavorful one-pot meal made with the following key ingredients:

1. Shredded Chicken: Tender and juicy chicken (either skinless chicken thighs or boneless skinless chicken breasts) is braised in a flavorful cooking liquid until it becomes tender and falls apart. You can also braise a leftover rotisserie chicken, separating out the bones and skin after it simmers a while.
2. White Beans: Creamy white beans, such as cannellini beans, white kidney beans or great northern beans, are added to the chili to add heartiness and a smooth texture. They complement the chicken and absorb the delicious flavors of the other ingredients.
3. Poblano Chilies: Fresh Poblano chili peppers are mild and slightly spicy, adding a pleasant heat to the chili. Feel free to swap out canned green chiles!
4. Cilantro: Fresh cilantro leaves bring a vibrant and aromatic flavor to the chili. They add a fresh and herbaceous note that complements the other ingredients.
5. Coriander, Cumin and Chili Powder: Fragrant and warming spices add flavor to the chili.
6. Soy sauce: this may seem like a strange addition, but this adds a tasty depth to the chili!
7. Lime: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a bright and tangy element to the chili.

How to Make Chicken Chili Verde with Beans

1. Heat oil in a large, large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and poblano peppers and sauté until tender, about 8 minutes. Add cumin, coriander, and chili powder and lightly toast, for about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth, scraping up the brown bits. Turn the heat to high. Add soy sauce, vinegar, oregano, and salt.
2. Add chicken breasts or thighs (whole) and bring to a boil. Cover and turn heat to low and keep at a low simmer for 20-30 minutes, until chicken is cooked through tender, and breaks apart easily. Once the chicken is tender, shred it into smaller pieces with two forks. (If it is not shredding easily, it may need longer to cook.)
3. Add the drained white beans and juice of 1 lime. (For a creamy texture you could mash 1 cup of the white beans, or blend the soup a bit either using a blender or immersion blender). Simmer over medium heat, uncovered for 10 minutes, until it reduces and thickens just a bit. Taste, adjust salt and spice level -adding a pinch of chipotle powder or cayenne of you like.
4. Stir in half the cilantro and serve. Divide among bowls serve with more cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, avocado, and lime wedges.

Poblano Chicken Chili Variations

• For a creamy consistency, blend half the white beans with some broth before adding to the soup.
• This recipe can be made without beans; increase the chicken by one pound for a low-carb bean-free version.
• Instead of fresh poblano peppers, use two 4-ounce cans of diced hatch chilies or diced green chilies.
• Try other beans! This recipe will work with black beans, cannellini, and pinto beans.

Can I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?

Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs in this recipe. Just keep in mind that chicken breasts may cook faster, so adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Can I use dried beans instead of canned beans?

Yes, you can use dried white beans instead of canned, just be sure to cook them ahead.

Can I make this chili vegetarian or vegan?

Yes, you can make this chili vegetarian or vegan by omitting the chicken and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add additional vegetables like bell peppers or corn for extra flavor and texture.

Best White Chicken Chili Recipe Tips

• Use chicken thighs for the rich flavor and deep savory flavor!
• Fresh Poblano Chilies add bold flavor and vibrant color.
• For even more flavor, sear the chicken thighs in the pot first, letting them get golden and caramelized; set aside while you continue with the recipe.
• Add a splash of soy sauce and vinegar for added depth and brightness.

Serving White Chicken Chili With Poblano Peppers

While the chicken chili is simmering, why not make a batch of skillet cornbread or these Vegan Cornbread Muffins to go with the meal? Top the chili with any of the following:

• sour cream
• avocado
• cilantro
• lime
• tortilla chips
• grated cheddar cheese
• fermented hot sauce

Storing leftover Chicken Chili Verde With Beans

Leftovers will keep up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator or can be placed in the freezer for up to 3 months.

If you have any leftovers, simply reheat them on the stove or in the microwave until warm. Freeze chili for up to 3 months, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

On the homefront: We’re back home after taking a couple of weeks off, exploring Boston and the coast of Maine. The fall color was absolutely astounding and we were incredibly lucky with the weather – blue skies and sunshine – perfect for kayaking and exploring Acadia National Park. So beautiful!  I fell in love with the area. But home is nice too and it feels good to hunker in and get cozy. Brian lit a fire in the fireplace and is bundled in a blanket watching the game while I around fiddle around in the kitchen making this chili and cornbread. All feels well in the world. I savor these simple moments, grateful when they come, knowing how quickly the tides can change.

Give the Chicken Chili a whirl and see what you think. I personally love these flavors.

Happy week, friends!

Sylvia

More chili recipes you may like:

Instant Pot Chili (with dry beans)

Lentil Chili

Jackfruit Chili

Vegan Chili

• Vegan Chili Verde with Jackfruit
• Homemade Chili Seasoning
• Homemade Instant Pot Chili
• The BEST Vegan Chili

 White BEAN Chicken Chili Video

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