Have you been searching for that perfect bowl of cozy goodness that’ll warm you up on chilly evenings? Look no further than Gaby Dalkin’s amazing White Chicken Chili recipe! As a huge fan of comfort food I’ve tried dozens of chili recipes over the years but this one from What’s Gaby Cooking truly stands out from the crowd. It’s creamy, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make—exactly what we all need in our recipe arsenal.
Why This White Chicken Chili Is So Special
Gaby’s White Chicken Chili has an interesting backstory—it’s actually inspired by her childhood friend Emily’s mom’s recipe! According to Gaby, whenever this dish was on the menu at her friend’s house, she’d literally beg her parents to take her over “within minutes.” That’s some serious food dedication, and after making this recipe myself, I totally understand why.
The magic of this recipe comes from its perfect balance of flavors and textures It’s
- Creamy thanks to sour cream (not cream cheese like many recipes use)
- Hearty with white beans and shredded chicken
- Packed with flavor from green chilies and a fantastic blend of spices
- Brightened up with fresh lime juice
- Totally customizable with your favorite toppings
Let me walk you through everything you need to know about this incredible dish that’s gained quite a following on TikTok and beyond!
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about this recipe is that while the ingredient list might look long at first glance, most items are pantry staples you probably already have on hand. Here’s what you’ll need
The Basics
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
The Flavor Makers
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth or stock
- 2 (4-ounce) cans diced green chilies
- 1 lime, juiced
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
The Substance
- 2 (15-oz) cans white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup corn (frozen or fresh)
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
Optional Toppings
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
- Freshly shredded cheese
- Tortilla strips
- Sliced green onion
- Cubed avocado
Pro tip: If you have Gaby’s Dalkin&Co Taco seasoning on hand, you can use that instead of the individual spices!
How to Make This Amazing White Chicken Chili
The recipe comes together in about 40 minutes (10 minutes prep, 30 minutes cooking), making it totally doable even on busy weeknights. Here’s how to make it:
Step 1: Build Your Flavor Base
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. This step is super important—Gaby emphasizes that you want the onions to develop some golden color here because that equals FLAVOR!
Step 2: Add Aromatics and Spices
Add the garlic and cook for just 30 seconds (don’t burn it!). Then add all those wonderful seasonings (cumin, coriander, oregano, chili powder, paprika, and cayenne) and saute until fragrant, about another 30 seconds.
Step 3: Create the Creamy Base
This is where the magic happens! Add the chicken broth, green chilies, lime juice, and season with salt and pepper. Then add HALF of the white beans and stir to combine.
Now for the secret technique: use an immersion blender to puree this mixture for 10-20 seconds. This is what gives the chili its amazing creamy texture without having to add tons of dairy! If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can transfer some of the mixture to a regular blender or food processor, just be careful with the hot liquid.
Step 4: Build the Chili
Add the remaining whole beans and corn to the pot. Bring everything to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 15 to 30 minutes. This gives all those flavors time to meld together beautifully.
Step 5: Finish It Off
Remove from heat and stir in the sour cream and cooked shredded chicken. The residual heat will warm everything through without curdling the sour cream.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
Ladle into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes! I’m personally a fan of loading it up with avocado, tortilla strips, and lots of cilantro.
Time-Saving Tips
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Use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store to save tons of time. Just shred that baby up and you’re good to go!
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Prep ahead – You can chop the onions and garlic the day before and store them in the fridge.
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Make a double batch – This chili freezes beautifully, so why not make extra for another day?
FAQs About Gaby’s White Chicken Chili
Since this recipe has become so popular, lots of questions have popped up about it. Here are the most common ones:
Is this white chicken chili spicy?
Nope! According to Gaby, it has plenty of flavor but is not spicy. If you want more heat, you can always add extra cayenne or top with sliced jalapeños.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely! This chili freezes great. Don’t even worry about the sour cream. Just reheat it in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over low heat until warmed through. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 4 months.
How do I thicken the chili?
The thickness comes from pureeing the beans! Don’t skip that step. If you want it even thicker, you can puree a bit more of the beans.
How long does it keep in the fridge?
The chili will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! You can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Sauté the onions, garlic, and spices first, then transfer everything except the sour cream and toppings to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, then stir in the sour cream at the end.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Definitely! Chicken thighs will add a richer flavor to the chili.
What if I don’t have an immersion blender?
You can transfer half the bean mixture to a regular blender or food processor. Just be very careful when blending hot liquids—allow some steam to escape to prevent pressure buildup.
Why People Love This Recipe
The reviews for this recipe are absolutely glowing! One reviewer named Rebeca commented that this has been her family’s go-to white chicken chili recipe for over three years. She mentioned that they crave it when the weather gets cold, and they often add extra veggies like bell peppers, celery, and carrots.
Many reviewers note that the leftovers taste even better the next day, as the flavors have more time to develop and meld together. The recipe has a 4.9-star rating from 60 votes on Gaby’s website, which is pretty impressive!
What to Serve with White Chicken Chili
This chili is fantastic on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, here are some perfect pairings:
- Tortilla chips
- Cornbread
- A simple green salad
- Guacamole
- Salsa
My Personal Experience With This Recipe
I’ll be honest with ya’ll – the first time I made this, I was skeptical about the immersion blender step. It seemed like an unnecessary extra step. BUT OMG was I wrong! That quick blending of some of the beans creates the most perfect texture that sets this chili apart from others I’ve tried.
I also love how flexible this recipe is. Sometimes I toss in a diced bell pepper with the onions, or add a bit more corn because my kids love it. It comes out delicious every single time.
One time I forgot to buy a rotisserie chicken, so I quickly poached some chicken breasts while the chili was simmering, and it still turned out amazing. That’s the kind of forgiving recipe we all need in our lives!
Nutritional Information
If you’re watching what you eat, you might be interested in the nutritional breakdown per serving:
- Calories: 205 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 43 mg
- Sodium: 42 mg
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 3 g
This makes it a pretty balanced meal, especially when you consider all the veggies and protein. And at just 205 calories per serving, you can definitely go back for seconds!
Final Thoughts
Gaby Dalkin’s White Chicken Chili is more than just a recipe—it’s a bowl of comfort that brings people together. Whether you’re making it for a cozy family dinner, meal prepping for the week ahead, or serving it at a casual gathering, this chili is guaranteed to impress.
What makes this recipe special is that perfect balance of simplicity and flavor. It doesn’t require fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients, yet it delivers a depth of flavor that tastes like it simmered all day.
If you’ve been searching for the perfect white chicken chili recipe, you can officially end your search. This one from What’s Gaby Cooking checks all the boxes and then some. Try it once, and I bet it’ll become a regular in your recipe rotation too!
So grab your Dutch oven, round up those ingredients, and get cooking. Your taste buds (and anyone lucky enough to share this meal with you) will thank you!
