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Creamy White Chicken Chili Recipe with Zesty Lime Twist

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A comforting and creamy white chicken chili with a bright lime twist, perfect for cozy dinners and busy weeknights. This recipe balances rich creaminess with fresh citrus for a hearty yet light meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely diced (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • Juice of 1 large lime
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Chop the onion, mince the garlic, and dice the jalapeño (if using). Cube the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Rinse and drain the white beans. Zest and juice the lime.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and jalapeño; sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add cubed chicken to the pot and cook for 5-7 minutes until the outside is no longer pink but not fully cooked through.
  4. Sprinkle in cumin and oregano, stirring to coat chicken and vegetables. Pour in chicken broth, diced green chilies, and white beans. Stir to combine.
  5. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes to meld flavors and cook chicken through.
  6. Remove lid and add softened cream cheese in chunks. Stir until melted and creamy. Fold in sour cream until chili is thick and velvety.
  7. Stir in fresh lime juice and zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer uncovered for 5 more minutes to marry flavors and thicken slightly.
  8. Remove from heat and garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve hot with extra lime wedges.

Notes

Do not overcook chicken in the initial step to keep it juicy; it finishes cooking during simmering. Use fresh lime juice and zest for best flavor. Soften cream cheese before adding to avoid clumps. Adjust heat by removing jalapeño seeds or adding more chilies. Simmer gently to prevent dairy from curdling. Leftovers taste better after resting overnight. For dairy-free, substitute cream cheese and sour cream with coconut or cashew cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: white chicken chili, creamy chili, lime chili, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, chicken recipe

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/creamy-white-chicken-chili-recipe-with-zesty-lime-twist-easy-and-perfect-for-dinner/