Description

Creamy White Chicken Chili is a comforting and rich dish featuring tender shredded chicken, smoked turkey bacon, plant-based cheese, white beans, and a natural gelling agent for a velvety texture. This hearty yet creamy chili is flavored with cumin, oregano, jalapeño, and balanced with lime juice and grape juice, making it a perfect cozy meal for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins

1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into pieces
4 slices smoked turkey bacon, diced

Beans and Vegetables

2 cups white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped

Liquids and Sauces

4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup grape juice (natural)
2 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
1 tbsp lime juice

Seasonings and Additives

1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp natural gelling agent
Salt and pepper, to taste

Dairy Substitutes

1 cup plant-based cheese, shredded

Instructions

Prepare the Smoked Turkey Bacon and Aromatics: Dice the smoked turkey bacon and cook it in a pot over medium heat until crisp and fragrant. Add the finely chopped onions, garlic, and jalapeño, cooking until all are soft and aromatic to form the flavorful base.
Add Spices and Liquids: Sprinkle in the ground cumin and oregano, stirring to lightly toast the spices. Pour in the chicken broth, grape juice, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer to combine the flavors.
Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pot and poach in the broth until fully cooked. Remove the chicken, shred it finely, and set aside while finishing the chili base.
Combine Beans and Thicken: Stir in the drained and rinsed white beans. Sprinkle the natural gelling agent evenly over the chili while stirring continuously to thicken without compromising the creamy texture.
Finish with Cheese and Chicken: Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Fold in the plant-based cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice to brighten the dish just before serving.

Notes

For more flavor, poach chicken with bones before shredding.
Do not skip the smoked turkey bacon as it adds essential depth to the chili.
Stir continuously when adding the natural gelling agent to prevent clumping and ensure smooth texture.
Adjust the heat level by starting with mild jalapeño and adding more if desired.
Let the chili rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to deepen.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320
Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 680 mg
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 28 g
Fiber: 6 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 55 mg

Keywords: Creamy white chicken chili, chicken chili, plant-based cheese, smoked turkey bacon, white bean chili, comforting chili, creamy chili, gluten free chili