Super fresh-tasting chicken chili recipe the whole family will love. This really is a green chicken chili with all the added flavors, but some do call this white chili. This recipe comes together in minutes, you can alternatively use a slow cooker or instant pot. All options will result in a delicious meal.

green chicken chili in a mug with pieces of cilantro and canned diced green chili and jalapenos making this white chicken chili recipe GREEN!

Why you should make this

Green Chicken (or turkey) Chili, this meal is so versatile you’re gonna wonder where it’s been all your life. The one dish meal you’ll make on repeat often!

What kind of chicken? Any type of chicken will work in this recipe: chicken breast, chicken thighs, rotisserie chicken, ground chicken, and don’t forget turkey perfect for leftover Thanksgiving turkey, ground turkey. You may even like it made with pork. Oh, the options are endless.

This is one of my family’s FAVORITE recipes, it gets requested often!

This green chicken chili recipe takes minutes to make and is full of great flavor. Choose your cooking method, you can cook it on the stove, or you can even put all the ingredients in an oven-safe pot or casserole dish and bake it in the oven at 350° for 30-40 minutes (time depending if using precooked chicken or raw, cut raw chicken into bite-sized pieces to cook quicker).

I just love dinners like this, and you will too.

The fresh lime and cilantro flavors really bring what might be an ordinary meal a bright, fresh flavor that everyone finds irresistible.

white chicken chili recipe, the perfect one dish meal, halloween chili

How popular is this meal:

This is one of our go-to meals when the weather starts to cool off and is perfect to warm everyone up, but is equally delicious to make anytime, can be kept warm in a crock pot, is perfect for meal prep, bringing a friend a meal, and plenty of servings to feed your family with leftovers.

So take out a pot, turn on the heat, and get COOKING

Cook this in your instapot

Cook this in your slow cooker

Cook pieces of chicken or use pre-cooked chicken. If you want fresh chicken to shred, it has to cool low and slow on the stove, but it’ll take a minimum of 45 minutes if the pieces are small. For shredded chicken, pre-cooked chicken, rotisserie chicken, or a slow cooker or Instant Pot is the best way to achieve that.

This recipe is really delicious and has such a great flavor without being overly spicy. Adjust the spice according to what you prefer. I make it for even people who don’t like any spice, and they don’t think it’s spicy. If you have someone eating it that may find it spicy, add a dollop of sour cream.

It’s a real crowd pleaser and takes a look below the recipe box, and see it in a SLOW COOKER!!!

Essentially, this is white chili, but since the broth turns green with the addition of green chilis, jalapenos if using them, and cilantro, I call it green chili, and it gives a nice Mexican-inspired flavor.

The addition of white beans or pinto beans adds great protein, making this a hearty meal. It takes minimal ingredients and comes together quickly, and the result is tender, delicious, juicy chicken, whether using raw or pre-cooked chicken.

Can I make this in an Instant Pot?

Yes, I usually add raw chicken (this is a great meal with chicken breast or thighs). I add a cup of chicken broth, diced green chilis (or roasted Hatch chilis), 1/2 diced onion, and 3-5 cloves garlic. Turn on the pressure cooker to high for 10 minutes with raw chicken (cook longer if the chicken is frozen), then allow a slow release.

Add the beans and give it a stir, and cover for 2 minutes. The hot broth will heat the beans. If you waited longer and need to heat the broth again, turn the Instant Pot to sauté and heat it, then add chopped cilantro and lime juice, stir, and allow the flavors to meld for a couple of minutes or sauté while it’s in the warm mode.

What to serve this with, so it’s more than a “soup”:

Serve with cooked Mexican Rice or White Rice if you’re looking for a heartier meal. You can even add a scoop of mashed potatoes!

Top this dish with sliced jalapeños for spice, fresh cilantro, green onions, and/or cotija cheese.

making white chili into the best tasting green chicken chili recipe with cilantro canned diced green chilis lime juice green onions and jalapenos

My favorite salsa is Salsa Verde (green salsa) with a similar flavor profile, you can call this green chili or white chili, and both would be correct. Grab some chips, make some salsa, and enjoy.

OTHER flavor options to add to this recipe:

If you’d like a sweeter flavor in this recipe, add a 1-lb bag of frozen white corn.
If you want a buttery flavor, add a couple of tablespoons of butter.
If you prefer a smoky flavor, you can add some cooked diced bacon.
If you want more spice, add a diced jalapeño or two.
If you want it creamier, add some milk or heavy cream.
Top with sour cream for a fun, tangy creaminess
Finally, if you want this dish cheesy, add some white cheddar, Mexican Cotija cheese, or some Parmesan or Romano cheese.

WHITE CHILI with lot so fgreens to mkae it the best chicken chili recipe at createdbydiane.com green chicken chili in a white mug tender chicken, with cilantro and a light green sauce that tastes flavorful and bright with the citrus kick

How to Make Green Chicken Chili Recipe – white chili

There are lots of options. This can turn green with all the herbs and veggies. If you want it white and creamy, you can blend the green items smooth and add a cup of heavy cream to this for a super tasty meal.

meal prep green chicken chili recipe over rice, createdbydiane.com

I decided to meal prep this recipe, and we enjoyed it so much that I froze some, and anytime we reheated them. It reminded us how much we LOVE this recipe! I put the green chicken chili over rice and thickened the sauce so the rice held a great texture. This will be on meal prep repeat!!!

If you want it thick, make a cornstarch slurry:

If you want this recipe thick, combine a cup of water or chicken broth with a few tablespoons of cornstarch in a liquid measuring cup, mix well, then slowly pour it into the simmering broth and stir.

Want this recipe more “creamy, add a cup of milk or heavy cream.

Is this also called white chili?

Yes, some people call this dish white chili. I add so many “green” items like jalapeños, green onions, canned diced green chilis, and jalapeños, it’s green, so I refer to it as my Green Chicken Chili.

Print Recipe

Green Chicken Chili (or turkey)

A delicious and easy white chili recipe with cilantro, mild green chilis, jalapeños if you like spice, and green onions. Making this the ultimate green chicken chili recipe. This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. Make it thick with a cornstarch slurry.

Prep Time15

Cook Time20

Total Time35

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken

Servings: servings

Author: Diane Schmidt – createdbydiane.com

Cost: $14

Ingredients

2-3 lbs chicken or turkey (raw or cooked), * Great recipe for cooked chicken or turkey, or use a rotisserie chicken. Alternatively, cut chicken into small pieces and cook until they reach 165° slow cooker or pressure cooker until fully cooked. I use at least 2lbs of chicken for this recipe.
1/2 medium onion diced
2 cloves garlic minced
2 jalapeño peppers (optional) seeded and diced
2 Tablespoons oil
2 cups water or chicken broth Add additional water or chicken broth if you add more than 2 lbs of chicken. The liquid should cover the chicken.
2 tablespoon chicken bouillon, Add more to your taste and add some.
2 15 oz. cans cannellini beans drained and rinsed.
1 4 oz. can diced green chilies
1/2 lime juiced
1 bunch cilantro chopped at least 1/4 cup chopped

Toppings

1 oz cotija cheese crumbles for serving
additional lime wedges
additional cilantro
additional sliced jalapenos, if you like it spicy
sliced green onions

Instructions

In a 5 quart pot, cook onion and garlic in oil over medium heat, add jalapeno, for 2-3 minutes.
Once tender, add the water, chicken flavor, chilies, and chicken or turkey.
* If the protein is pre-cooked, continue adding the ingredients. If it's raw when you add it, simmer on medium heat until the chicken reaches 165°. (Don't let it come to a hard boil, or the chicken will be tough. Small 1-2 inch pieces work well.
Add lime juice and cilantro and season with salt and pepper.
Add the beans and simmer with small bubbles for 5-10 minutes.
Alternatively, use a slow cooker or pressure cooker (Instant Pot) for tender chicken. You can also cook the chicken in broth over low heat, then add the remaining ingredients. More instructions for other cooking methods are included in the post.
You can cook this recipe in a slow cooker, pressure cooker, on the stovetop in a pot, or in a casserole dish in the oven at 350°F for 30 to 40 minutes. Cooking time for the recipe will depend on whether you are using precooked or raw chicken.
Use chicken, turkey, or pork. You can use white meat, dark meat, or ground meat.
Garnish with additional cilantro, lime, avocado, sour cream, or cheese (cotija cheese is my favorite)
If you want it thick, pour in a cornstarch slurry of 1 cup water and a couple of tablespoons of cornstarch into the simmering broth and stir.
If you want this dish creamy, add a cup of milk or heavy cream.