Creamy White Chili with Cream Cheese

4.4
(35)
28 Reviews

This rich, yet healthy, white chicken chili recipe comes together in a flash thanks to quick-cooking chicken thighs and canned white beans. Mashing some of the beans acts as a fast thickener when your soups don't have a long time to simmer. Cream cheese adds the final bit of richness and a hint of sweet tang.

By
Robin Bashinsky
Robin Bashinsky
Robin Bashinsky

Robin Bashinsky is a professional chef whose background includes stints at Birmingham fine-dining restaurants Daniel George and Hot and Hot Fish Club.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on September 19, 2023
Reviewed by Dietitian
Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD
Emily Lachtrupp Headshot
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Tested by
EatingWell Test Kitchen
Eating Well Bio Page
Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen

The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters.

Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen
Prep Time:
10 mins
Additional Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
25 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
8 cups
Nutrition Profile:
Diabetes-Friendly Nut-Free Healthy Aging Healthy Immunity Low-Sodium Soy-Free High-Fiber Heart-Healthy Egg-Free Gluten-Free Low-Calorie
Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

  • 2 (15 ounce) cans no-salt-added great northern beans, rinsed, divided

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces

  • 1 ½ cups chopped yellow onion (1 medium)

  • ¾ cup chopped celery (2 medium stalks)

  • 5 cloves garlic, chopped (2 tablespoons)

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • 3 cups unsalted chicken stock

  • 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chiles

  • 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese

  • ½ cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

  1. Mash 1 cup beans in a small bowl with a whisk or potato masher.

  2. Heat oil in a large heavy pot over high heat. Add chicken; cook, turning occasionally, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Add onion, celery, garlic, cumin and salt. Cook until the onion is translucent and tender, 4 to 5 minutes.

  3. Add the remaining whole beans, the mashed beans, stock and chiles. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in cream cheese until melted. Serve topped with cilantro.

    creamy white chili in a bowl
Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, December 2018; updated October 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

319 Calories
12g Fat
29g Carbs
23g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size 1 1/3 cups
Calories 319
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 29g 11%
Dietary Fiber 9g 34%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 23g 46%
Total Fat 12g 15%
Saturated Fat 3g 17%
Cholesterol 61mg 20%
Vitamin A 511IU 10%
Vitamin C 50mg 56%
Folate 50mcg 12%
Sodium 329mg 14%
Calcium 140mg 11%
Iron 3mg 16%
Magnesium 64mg 15%
Potassium 662mg 14%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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