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Cajun White Chicken Chili

Cajun White Chicken Chili combines traditional chili warmth with a Southern twist, featuring creamy textures and vibrant flavors in a comforting meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Cajun, Southern
Calories: 325
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken & Chili Base
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for cooking
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 each green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
  • 1 tsp Cajun seasoning adjust to taste
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper optional, for extra heat
  • to taste Salt and black pepper
Liquids & Beans
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 can (15 oz) white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
  • ½ cup corn optional
  • ¼ cup heavy cream or half-and-half optional, for creaminess
Garnishes (optional)
  • Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
  • Shredded cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Sliced green onions

Method
 

Cooking the Chicken
  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the diced chicken, seasoning it lightly with salt, pepper, and ½ teaspoon of Cajun seasoning.
  3. Cook the chicken for about 5–6 minutes, or until it’s beautifully browned and nearly cooked through.
  4. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside for later.
Sautéing the Vegetables
  1. Using the same pot, add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic.
  2. Sauté these vegetables for approximately 3–4 minutes until they soften.
  3. Incorporate the remaining Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
  4. Stir for another 30 seconds until the aromatic spices release their fragrance.
Building the Chili
  1. Return the cooked chicken to the pot, followed by the diced green chilies, white beans, and chicken broth.
  2. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to let it simmer for 15–20 minutes.
Finishing with Cream (Optional)
  1. If you prefer a creamy texture, stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half.
  2. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning as needed.
Serving
  1. Ladle the chili into bowls and top it with optional garnishes such as shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh green onions, or chopped cilantro.

Notes

Make it ahead for deeper flavors. Adjust spice level as needed. Substitute for lighter options if desired. Freeze leftovers for later enjoyment.