Description
Hearty white chicken chili brings comfort with low-carb Mexican-inspired flavors packed with tender chicken and creamy spices. Home cooks will savor this protein-rich, dairy-friendly meal perfect for keto dieters seeking delicious wellness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups shredded chicken
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese
- 1 cup Mexican blend cheese, shredded
- 3 ½ cups chicken broth (reduced sodium)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- ½ cup green chiles, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Base: Heat Dutch oven and drizzle olive oil over medium-high heat, creating a golden cooking surface for developing rich flavor foundations.
- Aromatics Development: Add diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until onions become translucent and fragrant, releasing their natural sweetness and establishing depth.
- Liquid Composition: Pour chicken broth, heavy cream, and green chiles into the pot, whisking vigorously to blend the liquid components smoothly and create a cohesive cooking environment.
- Spice Integration: Sprinkle cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, sea salt, and black pepper throughout the liquid, stirring thoroughly to distribute seasonings and generate a complex flavor profile.
- Simmering Phase: Bring mixture to a robust boil, then reduce heat and allow liquid to simmer for 40 minutes, concentrating flavors and encouraging gradual thickening of the chili’s base.
- Cheese Incorporation: Reduce temperature and fold cream cheese and Mexican blend cheese into the mixture, stirring continuously until cheeses melt completely and render a luxurious, silky consistency.
- Final Fusion: Gently add shredded chicken, allowing protein to integrate seamlessly with the creamy base and absorb surrounding seasonings during a concluding 5-minute gentle simmer.
Notes
- Optimize Oil Temperature: Heat olive oil just until it shimmers to prevent burning and ensure proper flavor development without smoking.
- Master Cheese Melting Technique: Add cream cheese and shredded cheese off direct heat, stirring constantly to prevent clumping and achieve a silky smooth consistency.
- Spice Balance Matters: Adjust cayenne and black pepper gradually, tasting as you go to control heat level without overwhelming the delicate chicken flavor.
- Simmer Smartly: Maintain a low, consistent simmer during the 40-minute reduction to concentrate flavors and prevent liquid from evaporating too quickly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 496
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 685 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 151 mg