Ina Garten White Chicken Chili Recipe

When the weather cools down, nothing warms the soul quite like a bowl of chili. But instead of the classic red chili, today we’re diving into a creamy and hearty twist Ina Garten’s White Chicken Chili Recipe. It’s cozy, comforting, and incredibly easy to make at home, like the Barefoot Contessa Chili Recipe.

What makes this dish so special is its balance of creaminess and spice. With just a handful of pantry staples, you can create a meal that feels like a restaurant-quality dinner. Even better, it’s family-friendly and customizable with all your favorite toppings.

Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or prepping for a casual get-together, this Ina Garten Chicken Chili Recipe will quickly become your go-to recipe. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again.

What’s the Flavor Profile of This Ina Garten White Chicken Chili?

Ina Garten’s white chicken chili is a creamy, savory spin on the traditional chili we all know. Instead of ground beef and red sauce, this dish features tender shredded chicken, white beans, corn, and green chilies simmered in a flavorful broth.

The addition of cream cheese gives it a rich, velvety texture, while fresh lime juice brightens up every bite. It’s hearty enough to serve as a full meal but still light compared to Artichoke Green Chili Dip Recipe.

Each spoonful delivers layers of flavor mild heat from the chili powder, smokiness from cumin, and a surprising tang from ranch seasoning. The best part? It’s versatile, easy to adapt, and absolutely delicious with toppings like avocado, cheese, and tortilla chips.

Ingredients Required for Ina Garten White Chicken Chili Recipe

Gather all the following ingredients, before you start making this Ina Garten White Chicken Chili

• 2 chicken breasts (cut in half if large)
• 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans (Cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
• 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (dip or dressing)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
• 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• Fresh cilantro
• Avocado (diced or sliced)
• Sour cream
• Tortilla chips

Kitchen Utensils Required

1. Large Dutch oven or soup pot
2. Wooden spoon
3. Cutting board & sharp knife
4. Can opener
5. Sieve or colander
6. Measuring spoons
7. Mixing spoon
8. Two forks (for shredding chicken)

Preparation & Cooking Time

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6

Copycat Ina Garten White Chicken Chili Recipe

Just follow this simple step by step guideline to make your homemade version of Ina Garten White Chicken Chili in a delicious way.

1. Sauté the base: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes until soft and fragrant.

2. Build the chili: Stir in the chicken broth, drained white beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Sprinkle in the ranch seasoning, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Mix well so the flavors start coming together.

3. Cook the chicken: Nestle the chicken breasts into the pot, making sure they’re fully covered by the liquid. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover partially and cook for 20–25 minutes, until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.

4. Melt in the creaminess: Remove the chicken to a plate and add cubed cream cheese into the pot. Stir frequently until it melts completely, giving the chili its rich, velvety base.

5. Shred and return chicken: Using two forks, shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return it to the pot along with a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

6. Finish and serve: Let the chili simmer for another 3–5 minutes to thicken slightly. Ladle into bowls and top with cheese, cilantro, avocado, sour cream, or tortilla chips for the ultimate comfort meal.

Delicious Ways to Customize and Serve This Ina Garten White Chicken Chili

Here are some Variations and Customizations ideas you can try to enjoy this Ina Garten White Chicken Chili deliciously

1. With warm tortilla chips
Honestly, we can’t resist scooping this chili with crunchy tortilla chips. It’s way more fun than just using a spoon.

2. Over rice
On nights when we want to stretch the meal, serving chili over fluffy white rice makes it extra filling.

3. With cornbread
A slice of buttery cornbread on the side feels like comfort food at its best. It’s a classic pairing we never skip.

4. Inside a bread bowl
When we’re feeling fancy, we hollow out a sourdough bread round and ladle the chili right in. It soaks up the creamy broth beautifully.

5. Topped with extra cheese
We’ve tried Monterey Jack, cheddar, even pepper jack for a little kick. All melt perfectly on top of the hot chili.

6. With avocado slices
The creaminess of avocado takes each bite to a whole new level. It’s our go-to topping.

7. With a squeeze of lime
We always add a little extra lime at the table. That pop of citrus keeps the chili fresh and bright.

8. Paired with a salad
For balance, we like serving it with a crisp green salad on the side. It lightens up the meal.

9. With pickled jalapeños
When we’re craving heat, tangy pickled jalapeños do the trick. They add just the right spice.

10. As leftovers with eggs
Our favorite hack: reheat the chili and spoon it over scrambled eggs the next morning. Absolute breakfast magic.

My Personal Experience and Some Tips on This Ina Garten White Chicken Chili Recipe

I made this white chicken chili on a cold night, and wow, it was so cozy! The smell filled my kitchen, and I couldn’t wait to try it. I loved how creamy the broth was after the cream cheese melted in. My kids ate it up without fuss, which is always a win. The best part? Everyone got to pick their own toppings cheese, avocado, and chips. It felt like a fun family dinner we all enjoyed together.

1. Cut the chicken in half so it cooks faster.

2. Always rinse the beans to make the chili less salty.

3. Use cream cheese at room temperature so it melts quicker.

4. Taste the chili before adding more salt you might not need extra.

5. Add lime juice at the end to keep the flavor fresh.

6. If you like spice, add more chili powder or jalapeños.

7. Let the chili rest a little it gets thicker as it cools.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Ina Garten White Chicken Chili Properly?

If you have any leftover (hopefully you don’t have) you can process them properly as follows,

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave (covered to avoid splatters). It also freezes well for up to 2 months just thaw overnight before reheating.

FAQs on this Ina Garten White Chicken Chili Recipe

When you give this Ina Garten White Chicken Chili Recipe a try, you might have a few questions. Don’t worry-we’ve rounded up answers to the most common ones to help you out.

1. What kind of chicken works best?

We usually use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but chicken thighs also work great if you want extra tenderness.

2. Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes! We’ve done that on busy nights. Just skip the simmering step and stir the shredded rotisserie chicken in near the end.

3. How do I know when the chicken is ready?

When it shreds easily with two forks, it’s perfect. If it feels tough, give it a few more minutes to simmer.

4. Can I make it spicier?

Absolutely. We add more chili powder or toss in a few diced jalapeños when we’re craving heat.

5. What can I use instead of cream cheese?

We’ve tried sour cream and even Greek yogurt. Both make the chili creamy, though cream cheese gives the richest flavor.

6. Can I freeze white chicken chili?

Yes, we freeze leftovers all the time. Just cool it down, store in a freezer-safe container, and reheat gently.

7. How long does it last in the fridge?

Ours usually disappears within 3 days, but it stays good for up to 4.

8. Can I use canned chicken?

We don’t recommend it it tends to taste flat. Fresh or rotisserie chicken is much better.

9. What toppings do you recommend?

Our favorites are Monterey Jack cheese, avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and tortilla chips. The toppings make every bowl special.

10. Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes! We’ve done it. Just add everything (except the cream cheese and lime juice), cook on low 6–7 hours, shred the chicken, stir in cream cheese and lime at the end.

This Ina Garten White Chicken Chili recipe is the perfect comfort food for cool evenings, cozy family dinners, or even meal prep for the week. Creamy, flavorful, and endlessly customizable, it’s a dish you’ll return to again and again.

We’d love to hear how this recipe turns out for you! Give it a try, then drop a comment below to share your thoughts and tips with us.

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