Cajun White Chicken Chili
A creamy, smoky, and slightly spicy Cajun White Chicken Chili loaded with tender chicken, white beans, vegetables, and bold Cajun flavors. Perfect for cozy dinners and meal prep. This style commonly combines shredded chicken, white beans, Cajun seasoning, and a creamy broth.
⏱️ Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: American, Cajun
- Difficulty: Easy
🛒 Ingredients
For the Chili
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 jalapeño, finely diced (optional)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini or Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup salsa verde (optional but recommended)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Juice of ½ lime
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Chopped cilantro
- Green onions
- Shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Sliced avocado
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Lime wedges
👨🍳 Instructions
Step 1
Season the chicken with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning.
Step 2
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Step 3
Cook chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until fully cooked (165°F / 74°C).
Step 4
Remove chicken and shred using two forks.
Step 5
In the same pot sauté:
- Onion
- Bell pepper
- Celery
- Jalapeño
Cook for about 5 minutes.
Step 6
Add garlic, remaining Cajun seasoning, cumin, paprika, thyme, and cayenne.
Cook 1 minute.
Step 7
Pour in chicken broth.
Step 8
Add beans and salsa verde.
Bring to a gentle boil.
Step 9
Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
Step 10
Return shredded chicken to the pot.
Step 11
Stir in cream cheese until melted.
Step 12
Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
Step 13
Simmer another 5 minutes until creamy.
Step 14
Finish with lime juice.
Taste and adjust seasoning.
Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Cornbread
- Garlic bread
- Tortilla chips
- Fresh green salad
- Steamed rice
- Baked potatoes
💡 Tips
- Rotisserie chicken saves time.
- Mash some beans for a thicker chili.
- Add extra broth if it becomes too thick.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning for your preferred spice level.
- The flavor is even better the next day.
🥣 Storage
Refrigerator: 4 days
Freezer: Up to 3 months
Reheat gently over low heat, adding a splash of broth if needed.
🥗 Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 430
- Protein: 38 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fat: 20 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 760 mg
Nutritional values vary depending on the ingredients used.
🥜 Allergen Information
Contains:
- ✅ Milk (cream cheese, heavy cream, Parmesan)
Does NOT normally contain:
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Eggs
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Soy (unless included in broth or seasoning)
- Wheat/Gluten (check Cajun seasoning, broth, and salsa verde labels if gluten-free is required)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes! Add about 3 cups of shredded cooked chicken during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
2. Is it spicy?
It’s mildly spicy. Reduce or omit the cayenne and jalapeño for a milder version.
3. Which beans are best?
Cannellini beans and Great Northern beans both work well.
4. Can I make it in a slow cooker?
Yes. Add all ingredients except the dairy, cook on Low for 6–7 hours (or High for 3–4 hours), shred the chicken, then stir in the cream cheese, cream, and Parmesan before serving.
5. Can I freeze it?
Yes. For the best texture, freeze before adding the dairy, then stir in the cream cheese and cream after reheating.
6. Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes. Use coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative and omit the Parmesan.
7. What can I serve with it?
Cornbread, tortilla chips, garlic bread, or a crisp green salad are excellent choices.
8. How do I make it thicker?
Mash about ½ cup of the beans before stirring them back into the chili, or let the chili simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes.
