This Green Chicken Chili is the ultimate comfort food, packed with tender shredded chicken, hearty beans, and a rich, creamy broth made from roasted green chiles and tangy salsa verde. It’s a flavorful, satisfying meal that comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights. If you’ve been searching for a go-to chili recipe that stands out from the crowd, you’ve found it.
Why You’ll Love This Green Chicken Chili Recipe
This isn’t just another chili recipe; it’s a game-changer. We’ve perfected the balance of smoky, tangy, and creamy flavors to create a truly unforgettable dish.
- Incredibly Flavorful: A dynamic blend of roasted green chiles, salsa verde, and earthy spices creates a complex flavor profile that’s both bright and comforting.
- Quick & Easy: This recipe is designed for home cooks. With simple steps and straightforward ingredients, you can have a delicious, homemade chili on the table in less than an hour.
- Creamy Without Heavy Cream: We use a secret ingredient—cream cheese—to achieve a velvety, rich texture without the need for heavy cream, making it satisfyingly creamy yet light. For another creamy and cheesy appetizer, be sure to check out our delicious cowboy queso dip.
- Perfectly Customizable: Whether you like it mild or fiery, this recipe is easy to adapt. We’ll share tips on how to adjust the spice level to your exact preference.
The Key Ingredients for Authentic Green Chicken Chili
The magic of this chili is in its ingredients. Using high-quality, flavorful components is the key to achieving a restaurant-quality result right in your own kitchen.
Choosing Your Chicken
You can use either boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for this recipe. Breasts are lean and shred beautifully, while thighs offer a richer flavor and more moisture. For a fantastic shortcut, you can even use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken—just shred it and add it in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
The Green Chile Blend
This is the heart of our Green Chicken Chili. We use a combination of canned diced green chiles and high-quality salsa verde. The diced chiles provide a smoky, mild heat, while the salsa verde adds a tangy, vibrant kick from tomatillos, cilantro, and lime.
Building the Creamy Base
Our creamy base is built on a foundation of sautéed onion and garlic, toasted spices like cumin and oregano, and quality chicken broth. The final touch, softened cream cheese, is stirred in at the end to create a silky, luxurious texture that ties everything together.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Green Chicken Chili
Ready to get cooking? Follow these simple steps for a perfect pot of chili.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Toast the Spices: Stir in the cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Toasting the spices for about 30 seconds awakens their flavor and adds incredible depth to the chili.
- Simmer the Chicken: Add the chicken broth, salsa verde, and diced green chiles to the pot. Stir everything together and bring to a simmer. Gently place the chicken breasts into the liquid. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Shred the Chicken: Carefully remove the chicken from the pot and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
- Finish the Chili: Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Add the drained and rinsed cannellini beans and the softened cream cheese. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and integrated into the broth. Let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Add Freshness: Turn off the heat and stir in the fresh cilantro and lime juice. This final step brightens up all the flavors. Serve hot with your favorite toppings!
Expert Tips for the Best Chili
A few simple tricks can take your Green Chicken Chili from great to absolutely spectacular.
- Don’t Skip Toasting Spices: This small step makes a huge difference in the final flavor. It only takes a minute but adds layers of aromatic depth.
- Use Softened Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature or slightly softened in the microwave. This helps it melt smoothly into the chili without clumping.
- Finish with Fresh Lime: The acidity from the fresh lime juice at the end is crucial. It cuts through the richness and brightens all the other flavors in the pot.
Customizing Your Green Chicken Chili
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Here are a few popular variations.
Adjusting the Spice Level
This recipe has a mild to medium heat. To increase the spice, you can add a finely diced jalapeño along with the onion, use a “hot” variety of salsa verde, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper with the other spices.
How to Thicken Your Chili
If you prefer a thicker chili, you can create a simple cornstarch slurry. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Stir the slurry into the simmering chili and cook for a few minutes until it has thickened to your liking.
What to Serve with Green Chicken Chili
The right toppings and sides can elevate this dish to a full-blown feast. Offer a variety of garnishes so everyone can customize their own bowl.
- Toppings: Sour cream or Greek yogurt, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, fresh cilantro, diced avocado, tortilla strips, and sliced jalapeños are all excellent choices.
- Sides: A side of warm cornbread is classic. For something lighter, a simple green salad or a side of easy garlic butter green beans works perfectly.
Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions
This chili makes fantastic leftovers! The flavors get even better the next day.
How to Store
Allow the chili to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Can You Freeze It?
Yes, this chili freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then gently warm it on the stovetop over medium-low heat. If you need a comforting dish that you can’t freeze, consider this delicious French Onion meatloaf recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Combine all ingredients except the cream cheese, cilantro, and lime juice in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Shred the chicken, then stir in the cream cheese, cilantro, and lime juice during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Yes, using a rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver! Simply shred the meat from one rotisserie chicken (about 3 cups) and add it to the chili along with the beans and cream cheese during the last 10 minutes of simmering.
Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through.
This chili is fantastic with toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado, and tortilla strips. For sides, you can’t go wrong with classic cornbread, rice, or a simple salad.
The easiest way to thicken your chili is with a cornstarch slurry. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth, then stir it into the simmering chili for a few minutes until it thickens.
The Best Green Chicken Chili Recipe
Green Chicken Chili (Easy & Creamy Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Pour in the chicken broth, salsa verde, and diced green chiles. Stir to combine. Add the chicken breasts to the pot. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove the cooked chicken from the pot. Shred the meat using two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the pot.
- Add the drained cannellini beans and the softened cream cheese cubes to the pot. Stir until the cream cheese is completely melted and the chili is creamy. Simmer for 5 more minutes.
- Turn off the heat. Stir in the chopped fresh cilantro and the juice of one lime. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened to prevent clumping and ensure a smooth, creamy texture.
Serve with tortilla strips, sour cream, avocado, and shredded cheese for the full experience.
Pin This Recipe!
If you loved this Green Chicken Chili recipe, don’t forget to save it for later! Sharing it on Pinterest helps others discover it and allows you to easily find it again. We appreciate your support!
Share Your Creations!
We love seeing what you create in your kitchen. If you make this Green Chicken Chili, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Your feedback helps our community of home cooks. Happy cooking!
