Looking to shake up your family dinner routine? This white chicken chilli stew is a simple, comforting alternative to the usual beef chilli, and it’s just as easy to get on the table on a busy weeknight.
It’s mild enough for most family palates but has plenty of flavour from garlic, cumin and jalapeños, mellowed out with sour cream. Best of all, it tastes even better the next day, so it’s a great one to make ahead — and it freezes well too, making it handy for batch cooking.
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White Chicken Chilli Stew
We love this white chicken chilli stew served with warmed tortillas or bacon corn muffins.
This recipe serves 4.
Ingredients:
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 700g / 24 oz), diced into 1/4-inch cubes
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 x 400g (14oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 110g / 4oz jalapeño chillies from a jar or tin, diced
- 400ml / 13 fl oz chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 225g / 8oz sour cream
- 120ml / 4 fl oz single cream
- Coriander, chopped for garnish (optional)
Method:
1. Brown the chicken and onion in the oil over a medium-high heat, stirring frequently.
2. Add the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until fragrant.
3. Add the beans, chillies, stock and seasonings and simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Stir in the sour cream and single cream.
5. Heat through, but do not boil.
6. Garnish with chopped coriander and additional sour cream, if desired.
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Tips for Making It Your Own
If you like more heat, add extra jalapeños or a pinch more cayenne. For a milder version for younger kids, reduce or leave out the cayenne altogether and go easy on the jalapeños — you can always add extra chilli to individual bowls at the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this white chicken chilli stew in advance?
Yes — in fact it’s even better the next day, once the flavours have had time to develop. Make it up to a day ahead, then reheat gently on the hob, stirring often, and avoid letting it boil once the cream is added.
Does this recipe freeze well?
Yes, it freezes well. For best results, freeze it before adding the sour cream and single cream, then stir these in fresh after reheating for the smoothest texture.
What can I serve with white chicken chilli stew?
Warmed tortillas or bacon and sweetcorn muffins are both lovely with this stew. A simple side salad or some steamed rice also works well if you want to stretch it further for a hungry family.
Is this a spicy dish?
It has a mild-to-medium heat from the jalapeños and cayenne, but it’s easy to adjust — leave out the cayenne for younger children and let everyone add their own extra spice at the table.
More Family Dinner Ideas
If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like:
- Mexican Tortilla Bake for a Yummy Family Dinner
- Bacon and Sweetcorn Muffins — A Savoury Treat
- Chickpea, Sweet Potato and Chorizo Stew
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