Busy day? No problem! You can make this Easy White Chicken Chili in just 15 minutes! Yes, I’ve timed it. The secret is to use pre-cooked (or a rotisserie) chicken. Loaded with great northern beans and green chile, this is one hearty, flavorful meal. And, that’s exactly what you need when the temperature dips.
There are times in all of our lives when, despite the best of intentions, we’ve felt the rush of trying to get a meal on the table. Whenever I am facing both a tight schedule and a house full of hungry kids, I get creative. And, I usually start with one of my favorite recipes, to see if I can come up with shortcuts that work in less time.
That was how I came up with this easy white chicken chili recipe. My solution at the time was simply to grab a rotisserie chicken on the way home. Nowadays, I use my tried and true method for perfect cooked, shredded chicken ahead of time. So, it’s as easy as setting some out to thaw whenever I need it.
If you’re feeling the pinch of a day with too many things to do, treat yourself to an easy dinner like this simple white chicken chili. It’s a very rare day that I don’t have time to chop an onion, but I know people who hack that part of the recipe by just buying diced onions in the produce section. Either way, there’s hardly any prep time to speak of.
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve made this meal, in all of its glorious variations over the past few years. It’s extremely flexible. If I don’t have enough great northern beans, I can swap in pintos. If I have some leftover cooked vegetables, I will often chop them up and toss them into the pot. I can’t really think of a wrong way to make this soup.
That said, you know me. I have to recommend at least a couple adaptations, so that you can make it truly yours. For a spicier kick, you can easily add red pepper flakes with all the other spices. And, if you have a bag of frozen corn, or even a carrots and peas mix, you can absolutely throw those into the pot. Super simple, and will take no extra time!
As far as the toppings go, don’t forget to add something crunchy! My favorite is Fritos, or tortilla chips if I’m out. A dollop of sour cream, some shredded cheddar, and fresh jalapeno slices are also perfect for this dish.
If you’re one of those people (hi, friend!) who can’t make dinner without at least one side, then don’t worry. I’ve got you covered. First of all, don’t overlook how well a nice, crusty bread pairs with this easy white chicken chili.
You can prep this wonderful garlic herb bread while simmering. With savvy use of the broiler, you’ll have it ready to eat right as the chili finishes!
You can also pair any storebought loaf of bread with this absolutely crave-worthy homemade cowboy butter. It takes just a few minutes with a hand mixer to beat it together. And, that’s time you’ll never regret.
And, I can throw rough chop my favorite winter salad with cabbage and Brussels sprouts while this easy chili simmers on the stove. The crunchy textures and fresh vegetables pair well with the hearty chicken and tender beans.
If you are getting the tortilla chips out anyways, you might as well throw together some spicy guacamole to eat alongside this meal. It can be prepped while the chili simmers.
No matter what path you choose, here’s to a memorable dinner in the next 15 minutes.
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