Queso White Chicken Chili Recipe - Lydi Out Loud (2024)

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Published | Updated | By: Lydia&nbsp|87 Comments

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What happens when you take a zesty and flavorful chicken chili and add Queso to it? Magic, that’s what happens! This Queso White Chicken Chili is the perfect comfort food and a cool weather menu staple!

Hi there and happy Monday! It’s a crisp fall Monday in Columbus today, a welcome relief from the 90 degree weather we had last week! It’s finally starting to feel like football weather! Football and fall weather go together like football and chili! Football and chili go together like baseball and cracker jacks! Chili goes into our menu rotation on full blast come fall. We’ve already plowed our way through a batch of my go-to chili (you can check out that recipe here) so I decided to take another stab at perfecting my White Chicken Chili recipe.

When I say take another stab, what I mean is that every previous attempt has been a fail. You know how when you make up a recipe and it isn’t quite right and you keep tweaking it and then it’s over-tweaked and you don’t really know where it went (even more) wrong? Yeah, that’s been my situation with attempting to find a white chicken chili recipe that I love. Well I finally found the missing piece. Queso! Queso, you complete me. Or at least you complete my white bean chicken chili.

Are you ready to try it? Let’s go!

What beans do you use for Creamy White Chicken Chili?

Any kind of white beans will do. I used Great Northern for this one but I’ve also used Cannelini and those work just as well. One of my favorite tips for this recipe is mashing half of the beans. My friend Heather taught me this trick and it adds such a dreamy creamy consistency to your white chicken chili. This Queso Chicken Chili haslayers of flavor and is the perfect bowl of comfort!

Check out the video and grab the printable recipe card below.

Grab a bowl of this, and some football or Netflix and you have the perfect night in, I’d say!

Tips for making any soup

I highly recommend using a dutch oven to make this chicken chili and any soup. I have a glass electric cooktop and after over 2 years in our house, I still can’t predict how hot it will decide to be on a given day. These are the sautéed onions for the chili in a dutch oven. In any other pan, by this point in the cooking there would be several scorched spots.

How to serve Queso White Bean Chicken Chili

With more queso, of course! Also adding some tortilla strips, avocado, cilantro and sour cream round out the flavors perfectly.

Queso White Chicken Chili Recipe - Lydi Out Loud (4)

Queso White Chicken Chili

Published by: Lydia

This zesty Queso White Bean Chicken Chili is the perfect comfort food and a cool weather menu staple!

4.80 from 5 votes

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken breast cooked and shredded
  • 4 cans Great Northern beans 2 cans mashed, 2 cans whole beans
  • 6 cups chicken stock
  • 8 oz. Queso cheese shredded
  • 2 cups onion diced
  • 2 poblano peppers diced
  • 2 cans diced green chiles 4 oz. cans
  • 2 limes juiced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon dry mustard
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Optional toppings

  • Sour cream
  • Avocado
  • Cilantro
  • Tortilla strips
  • More shredded queso!

Instructions

  • In a large dutch oven, sauté onion in olive oil over medium heat until softened. Add peppers and garlic and sauté until onions are browned.

  • Rinse and drain beans. Mash 2 cans of the beans, leave 2 cans whole. (The mashed beans give the chili a wonderful creaminess!)

  • Add spices, chicken stock and beans; simmer on medium heat for 20 minutes.

  • Add shredded chicken, chiles and lime juice; simmer for 20 more minutes.

  • Add queso and stir until cheese is melted.

  • Top with your favorite fixings!

Video

Tried this recipe?Mention @lydioutloud or tag #lydioutloud!

I hope you enjoy this yummy Queso White Chicken Chili recipe as much as we do! Please let me know if you try it, I’d love to hear what you think!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. JEN says

    DO YOU BY ANY CHANCE HAVE THE NUTRITIONAL CONTENTS FOR THIS RECIPE, CAL, FAT, CARB ETC?

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Hi Jen, I don’t unfortunately. I’ve heard there are a lot of apps and websites that do that though if you put ingredients in.

  2. Kylie says

    Do you drain the beans or anything else?!

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Hi Kylie! Nope I sure don’t! 🙂

  3. Katelyn Buell says

    This recipe is the PERFECT white chick chili recipe. The only thing different I do is roast those delicious pablono peppers prior. I added diced jalapeño here and there too. This recipe won me a chili cook off back in October. Thanks so much Lydi!! -Katelyn

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Hi Katelyn! Oh my goodness thanks so much for your note, that made my day! Your additions sound delish, I’ll have to try them. Congrats on the chili cook off! 🙂 – Lydi

  4. Nikki says

    Hi! What step do you add the green Chile’s? I wasn’t sure from the recipe. Making it right now! Thanks!

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Hi Nikki! So sorry about that, I didn’t realize I didn’t have that step in there! I added them in when I added the chicken. How did you like it? 🙂

    • Alyson says

      You did mention the chiles on step 4 in the making of it! 😉

  5. Emily says

    This looks amazing!

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Thanks so much Emily! 🙂

  6. Robyn says

    Just wondering if this can be made in the crockpot?

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Hi Robyn, absolutely! You can add all of the ingredients to the crockpot and when it’s almost cooked add in the cheese to melt it. If the cheese goes in at the beginning it can break down and get kind of globby. New word 😉 Enjoy and let me know how it turns out!

  7. Hannah says

    When I think of queso, I think of the melted cheesy dip they give you in Mexican restaurants. What is shredded queso? Do I find it at Walmart?

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Hi Hannah! Haha yes me too, that’s where I got the idea… that’s my favorite dip! I got it at Kroger but I’ve seen it at many grocery stores. You may want to check in the specialty cheese section which in my stores is close to the deli. If you don’t see it you can ask the deli and they should be able to find it for you. It’s sometimes called Chihuahua cheese too. Enjoy!

  8. amy says

    This looks delicious, but I never heard of that cheese before. Where did you find it?

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Thanks Amy! I got it in the specialty cheese section of my local grocery store. If you don’t find any listed as Queso Cheese I’ve also seen it called Chihuahua Cheese before. Enjoy! 🙂

  9. Lauren says

    Your chili looks delicious! Thanks for sharing it at Motivation Monday on Mom Home Guide!

    Reply

  10. mie says

    Hmmm! That looks yummie!!!

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Thanks Mie, it’s perfect for the cold temps we have here this time of year!

  11. Kirsty Hijacked By Twins says

    Whenever I do a chilli I always seem to use beef, next time I have to have a go with chicken! This looks delicious. Popping over from #meltinyourmouthmonday

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      I love beef chili too but it’s nice to mix it up sometimes! 🙂

  12. LeAnn Voyer says

    I was looking for a white chicken chili recipe and I happened across your blog. I would definitely try this recipe. It looks delicious!!!

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Thanks so much LeAnn! I hope you love it, I’d love to hear after you make it! 🙂

  13. Daniel P. says

    I have an old family recipe for braised lamb shank done in the dutch oven. Trying to upgrade quality of kitchen one item at a time. This would do just the thing.

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Ooooh that sounds delicious Daniel! Thanks for stopping by!

  14. carol clark says

    id make a stew or chili in it

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Perfect for this time of year Carol! I plan to use it for that all season long!

  15. Kathy says

    I would use the dutch oven to make Cassoulet!

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      I’ve never tried to make that Kathy, I’d love to try your recipe if you don’t mind sharing? 🙂

  16. Steve Weber says

    I would love to try a short ribs recipe!

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Good call Steve! I used it to make my Chianti Braised Short Ribs!

  17. Raina DelRio says

    I would love to make a hearty stew or chili.

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Mmmm I love a good hearty stew Raina! Thanks for stopping by!

  18. Heather D says

    It’s getting colder outside so I also think some chili would be good.

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      I think I could live on chili all winter long Heather! 😉 Thanks for stopping by!

  19. Jeffrey says

    I would like to make some wedding soup in the Le Creuset. My grandma’s recipe would suit this pot just fine!

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Oh Jeffrey I loooove wedding soup! If you would ever like to share your grandma’s recipe I’d love to try it! 😉

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Queso White Chicken Chili Recipe - Lydi Out Loud (2024)

FAQs

Queso White Chicken Chili Recipe - Lydi Out Loud? ›

This can be the result of: Adding too much stock, broth, or water. A base of beef broth, chicken broth, or stock (and occasionally water, milk, or cream), sets the tone for most chili recipes. If your chili looks watery, you may have poured in more than required.

Why is my white chicken chili watery? ›

This can be the result of: Adding too much stock, broth, or water. A base of beef broth, chicken broth, or stock (and occasionally water, milk, or cream), sets the tone for most chili recipes. If your chili looks watery, you may have poured in more than required.

How can I make my white chicken chili less spicy? ›

You can also stir in dairy like yogurt, sour cream, milk (only if the dish isn't sour, or it will curdle), buttermilk, or kefir into a dish; the capsaicin will bind with the milk proteins instead of the nerve receptors in your mouth.

How to thicken up white chicken chili? ›

All-purpose flour and cornstarch are useful for thickening chili, as well as sauces, soups, and stews. However, you'll want to avoid adding these ingredients directly to your recipe, as this will result in clumps. Instead, create a slurry and add it slowly to help the thickener fully incorporate.

How to fix too much liquid in chili? ›

If your chili is too watery, there are a few steps you can take to thicken it: Simmer Longer: Continue cooking the chili uncovered over low heat to allow excess liquid to evaporate. Add Thickeners: Mix a small amount of cornstarch or flour with cold water and add it to the chili. Cook while stirring until it thickens.

Does vinegar make chili less spicy? ›

Vinegar works because it is acidic, and other acidic foods—like tomatoes, lemons, or limes—can help calm the fire from a chile pepper, particularly if the tomatoes are not themselves infused with chiles in a salsa or other spicy application.

What if you add too much chili powder to chili? ›

How to Fix a Too-Spicy Chili
  • Add a few whole, peeled Russet potatoes to the pot. As they cook, they will sponge up some of the cooking liquid and the spices along with it. ...
  • Use strategic toppings. Cool and creamy dairy works wonders to balance out the heat. ...
  • Remove some of the chili.

How do you thicken watery chicken? ›

Powders and flours. Cornstarch, arrowroot, common wheat flour, and the flours or powders made from potato, tapioca, chickpea — to name but a few — long have been used to thicken cooking liquids. (Gelatins and gums also can play a similar role.)

Is chilli supposed to be watery? ›

Chili should be thick and hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but sometimes there's just a bit more liquid than you want in the pot. While you can simply keep simmering the chili, that method risks overcooking softer ingredients like the beans, losing all your nice texture to mushy monotony.

Will sour cream thicken chili? ›

Heavy Cream / Milk / Sour Cream / Cheese

Another great thickening agent is dairy, whether heavy cream, milk, sour cream, or even shredded cheese. You'll want to incorporate these ingredients on low heat. With the heavy cream or milk, you'll add that to your whole pot of chili before serving.

Why is my chicken always watery? ›

According to AUT culinary arts senior lecturer Alan Brown, watery chicken usually indicates that the pan is too small for the amount of meat being cooked (via Stuff).

References

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