Creamy Chicken Chili
Creamy Chicken Chili is a rich, hearty, and comforting dish that combines tender chicken, creamy textures, and warming spices. Perfect for cozy nights, this smooth and savory chili balances flavorful ingredients to create an unforgettable meal that’s easy to prepare and full of soul-warming goodness.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Proteins
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
- Beans (optional) – 1 cup (canned or cooked)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup green chilies or 1–2 jalapeños, diced
Liquids & Dairy
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 4 oz cream cheese or 1/2 cup heavy cream
Spices & Seasonings
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and a bit of chili powder. Heat a splash of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the chicken until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove from heat and shred or dice into bite-size pieces.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add diced onion and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat until softened and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. This builds the base flavor for the chili.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the chicken to the skillet. Add canned diced tomatoes, green chilies, chili powder, cumin, and chicken broth. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer to let the flavors meld.
- Add Creaminess: Gradually stir in the cream cheese or heavy cream, allowing it to melt smoothly into the chili for a velvety texture. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Final Simmer: Let the chili simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, so the flavors intensify and the creamy consistency develops perfectly. Serve warm with desired garnishes.
Notes
- Use fresh chili powder and cumin for more vibrant flavor.
- Allow the chili to simmer slowly to meld flavors well.
- Add cream cheese or heavy cream last to maintain a silky texture.
- Shredded rotisserie chicken can be used to save time and add smoky flavor.
- Adjust spiciness gradually to suit personal taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: creamy chicken chili, comforting chili, easy chicken chili, creamy chili, hearty chili, chicken recipes