Name: White Bean Chicken Chili
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups chicken broth; Two 16-ounce cans white beans, rinsed and drained; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 medium onions, chopped; 2 medium garlic cloves, minced; Two 4-ounce cans chopped green chiles; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper; 4 cups chopped cooked chicken breast; 3 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese; chopped fresh cilantro, for serving (optional)

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This White Bean Chicken Chili recipe is fairly mild and lightly spiced with plenty of Monterey Jack cheese melted into it too.

February 23rd is National Chili Day! You must celebrate by making this totally delicious and easy recipe for White Bean Chicken Chili. Of course if you are a chili purist, you may wish to make a chili con carne recipe instead. You can also make chili dogs!

Share your chili creation on social media today using the hashtags #NationalChiliDay, #ChiliDay and #RecipesForHolidays.

Be sure to follow my February Food Holidays page so you never miss a food holiday in the month of February!

“Wish I had time for just one more bowl of chili.”
Kit Carson

The History of Chili:

What we know as “chili” appears to have roots in the American West- specifically Texas.

Some believe that a Spanish nun (sister Mary of Agreda) supernaturally appeared to Native Americans in the early 1600’s and returned with the 1st recipe for chili: chili peppers, venison, onions and tomatoes.

Another legend has it that immigrants from the Canary Islands brought a recipe for chili with them when they settled San Antonio in the early 1700’s.

We do know that chili was a popular meal among cowboys on the cattle trails and with pioneers who were traveling west to search for gold.

In the 1880’s, chili stands began to pop up in San Antonio, and those were very popular until the 1930’s.

The 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago featured chili con carne at the San Antonio chili stand.

It’s believed that the first chili cook-off took place in Texas in the early 1950’s. Now there are chili cook-off contests and celebrations all over the world!

ingredients displayed for making white bean chicken chili

Ingredients needed:

chicken broth
canned white beans
olive oil
onion
garlic
canned green chiles
ground cumin
dried oregano
ground cayenne pepper
cooked chicken breast
Monterey Jack cheese
fresh cilantro (optional)

How to make White Bean Chicken Chili:

The complete, printable recipe is at the end of this post.

In a large pot, combine the broth and beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer.

In a large skillet, heat the oil and saute the garlic and onion until the onion is tender. Stir in the green chiles, cumin, oregano and cayenne. Add the onion mixture to the bean mixture and mix well. Stir in the chicken and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

This is a hearty, filling chili recipe!

Ladle into bowls and sprinkle each serving with cheese and fresh cilantro. Enjoy!

Fun Facts About Chili:

Chili was dubbed as the official state dish of Texas in 1977.
New Mexico is known for using Hatch chiles in their chili recipes.
Chili verde is from Northern Mexico. It’s made of pork, green chiles, onion and tomatillos.
Beans are not a traditional ingredient in chili.
The 1st commercial blend of chili powder was supposedly created in 1892 by a German immigrant who lived in Texas.
U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson famously loved chili.