Description
Cajun White Chicken Chili brings spicy Southern comfort right to your dinner table, packed with tender chicken, creamy beans, and bold Cajun seasonings that dance across your palate. Warming and hearty, this chili delivers a zesty twist that makes weeknight meals feel like a Louisiana celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Beans and Vegetables:
- 2 cans (15 ounce each) white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounce) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (green or red)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 4 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat at 350°F. Add 2 pounds of chicken breasts and brown each side for 3-4 minutes until golden.
- Remove chicken from pot and set aside. In the same pot, sauté 1 diced medium onion, 1 diced bell pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves until vegetables soften, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add 2 cans of drained white beans, 1 can of undrained diced tomatoes, and 4 cups chicken broth to the pot. Stir in 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon cumin, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
- Return chicken to the pot and bring mixture to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, ensuring your chicken cooks completely through.
- Remove chicken and shred it using two forks. The meat should pull apart easily and look tender.
- Pour 1 cup heavy cream and juice from 1 lime into the pot. Stir thoroughly and simmer for an additional 5 minutes at low heat.
- Ladle chili into serving bowls. Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro or parsley on top as a finishing touch.
Notes
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning to match your spice tolerance, starting with less and adding more gradually for the perfect heat level.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk to reduce calories and fat.
- Shredding the chicken while it’s warm helps it absorb more flavor and creates a more tender texture.
- Fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley add brightness and balance the rich, spicy flavors of the chili.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg