Homemade White Chicken chili recipe that is healthier than regular white chili. A chili chicken with green chile, chicken, white beans, and garbanzo beans

Anytime it gets below 50 degrees here in Texas, we start craving a pot of chili. So if it’s early fall, the dead of winter or a late spring day, one form of chili is usually on the menu each week here at the Ranch. We do have several different versions of Homemade Texas Chili but since we are trying to eat a little healthier, we opted for a white chicken chili today.
What makes our White Chili Healthier?
- White Chili is made with chunks of leaner chicken breasts for a lower fat protein choice
- Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas) are also added to this bowl for extra fiber and lean protein
- And we stayed away from a tomato-based sauce to decrease the acidity on the tummy.
- Both Jalapeno’s and green chile contain Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Capsaicin (Capsaicin is said to reduce inflammation)
Even in the cooler weather, a pot of healthier White Chili is loved and appreciated by all. It’s total comfort food with the added healthier ingredients and benefits. And this White Chili recipe is easy and it can be made with minimal prep work. The only cutting is the chicken breast, onions, and peppers.
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How to Make White Chili Chicken:
Scroll down for the Pintable Recipe

We add flavor to this white chicken chili by adding some jalapeño. You could add 1 or 2 according to your family’s heat tolerance. Did you know that if you seed the jalapeño and cut off the membranes it reduces the heat?
Start your white chili by dicing 1 whole onion and jalapeños into small pieces.

Pour a couple of tablespoons olive oil into a dutch oven and saute until onion is translucent.

While the onions and jalapenos are cooking, peel and chop 2 cloves of garlic. We use this handy rubber-like garlic peeler tube and this is our favorite garlic press or chopper. Both make using fresh garlic so much easier.

Add chopped chicken breast and stir to combine. Cook until the chicken begins to brown. Add green chiles, cumin, oregano, chipotle powder and salt. Stir and cook for another minute.

Add chicken broth, both cans of beans and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes.

Serve topped with cilantro and cheese. So grab your chili bowls, spoons and get your chili on because it’s now under 50 degrees and it’s time for some chili chicken.
Tip– after everything is added, pour into a crockpot and cook the white chicken chili on low for 3 hours.
If you enjoyed this Chili Recipe then see these:
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White Chicken Chili
A healthier option for chili with this white chicken using chicken breasts and white beans
Servings: 4
Calories: 222kcal
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 jalapeño seeded and diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 4 oz can chopped green chiles drained
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 16 oz can garbanzo beans
- 1 15.8 oz can great northern beans
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1/2 cup low-fat Monterey jack cheese grated
Instructions
- Saute onion and jalapeño in olive oil in a dutch oven for 1 minute.
- Add chopped chicken pieces and cook until brown, about 5-10 minutes.
- Add garlic, chiles, cumin, oregano, chipotle chili powder and salt. Saute for another minute
- Stir in chicken broth and both cans of beans, bring to a boil, lower heat to simmer, cover and cook for 25 minutes.
- Serve topped with cilantro and cheese.
Nutrition
Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 858mg | Potassium: 551mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 240IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 189mg | Iron: 1mg
Carla
Friday 20th of April 2018
Have you ever done this recipe in a crock pot? And if so how long do you leave it in there for? I can't wait to try it!
Evelyn
Saturday 21st of April 2018
If you brown everything in a dutch oven on top of the stove, you can move everything to a crockpot and cook for 4-6 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high. I have never tried it but this sounds like the perfect recipe for a crockpot
Melissa
Sunday 12th of January 2014
This is so so yummy! I love this white chili recipe! =)
Bevin
Monday 20th of May 2013
I love this white chili! I will pin this recipe to try!
Connie
Saturday 11th of May 2013
I love white chili but I have not seen a recipe before with Garbanzos. Hmmm, I will have to try it.
Martha
Wednesday 8th of May 2013
This is delicious! Thank you for sharing