Quick & Creamy Low-Carb White Chicken Chili Recipe

Chilly evenings call for a comforting low-carb white chicken chili that warms you from the inside out.

Creamy textures blend with hearty proteins in this satisfying meal.

Spices dance across your palate, creating a symphony of flavors.

Packed with nutrition and minimal carbohydrates, this recipe delivers maximum taste without compromising your dietary goals.

Each spoonful promises a delightful balance of tender chicken and rich, velvety broth.

Zero guilt accompanies every bite of this clever culinary creation.

FAQs

  • Is this chili really low-carb?

Yes, this white chicken chili is specifically designed for low-carb and keto diets. By using ingredients like chicken, vegetables, and avoiding beans, the recipe keeps carbohydrate content very low.

  • Can I make this chili spicier?

Absolutely! You can increase heat by adding more jalapeños, using hotter peppers like serrano, or including a dash of hot sauce. The recipe allows easy customization of spice levels.

  • What if I don't have fresh peppers?

No problem. You can substitute with dried peppers or use pre-chopped frozen pepper mixes. The key is maintaining the blend of peppers for authentic flavor complexity.

  • Is this chili good for meal prep?

Definitely. This white chicken chili reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The flavors often improve after sitting overnight, making it an excellent make-ahead meal option.

Low-Carb White Chicken Chili That Keeps It Creamy

  • Quick and Easy Meal Prep: Whip up this low-carb white chicken chili in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious, hassle-free dinner.
  • Health-Conscious Comfort: Packed with lean protein and vibrant peppers, this chili delivers maximum flavor while keeping carbohydrates low, ideal for keto and health-focused diners.
  • Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adapt the recipe with your favorite toppings like cheese, extra cilantro, or keto-friendly chips, making it a versatile dish that satisfies everyone at the table.
  • Nutrient-Rich Flavor Explosion: Featuring a blend of spices like cumin, chili powder, and oregano, this chili offers a bold taste profile while providing a nutritious, warming meal that feels indulgent yet wholesome.

Low Carb White Chili Elements

Proteins:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean protein source for the chili, best when fresh and boneless.
  • Chicken Broth: Provides rich liquid base and extra chicken flavor.
Peppers and Aromatics:
  • Jalapeno, Anaheim Peppers, Bell Pepper: Add layers of mild heat and fresh vegetable complexity, choose firm and vibrant peppers.
  • Yellow Onion, Garlic: Create foundational flavor profile, essential for depth and aroma.
Seasoning and Enhancers:
  • Cumin, Chili Powder, Oregano, Coriander: Warm spice blend that gives authentic chili character.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasoning for balancing overall taste.
  • Better Than Bouillon: Concentrated flavor booster for chicken base.
Additional Ingredients:
  • Rotel Diced Tomatoes: Adds moisture and subtle tomato tang.
  • Cream Cheese: Creates creamy texture and rich mouthfeel.
  • Lime Juice: Bright acidic element to lift flavors.
  • Fresh Cilantro: Provides fresh, herbaceous finishing touch.
Cooking Fats:
  • Olive Oil: Helps sauté vegetables and prevent sticking.

Low-Carb White Chicken Chili Instructions

Step 1: Sauté Colorful Veggies

Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Toss in diced onions, chopped jalapeno, sliced Anaheim peppers, and bell peppers.

Cook until the vegetables become soft and slightly translucent, releasing their vibrant aromas.

Step 2: Bloom Aromatic Spices

Sprinkle in minced garlic and a blend of spices:
  • Cumin
  • Chili powder
  • Oregano
  • Coriander
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until the kitchen fills with an incredible fragrant explosion.

Step 3: Create Flavor Base

Pour in:
  • Rotel tomatoes
  • Chicken broth
  • Better Than Bouillon

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to mingle and develop depth.

Step 4: Cook Chicken

Add whole chicken breasts to the pot.

Let them simmer until completely cooked through, approximately 10-12 minutes.

The chicken will become tender and absorb all the delicious spices.

Step 5: Finish with Creamy Goodness

Stir in cream cheese until it melts completely, creating a luxurious, smooth texture.

Squeeze fresh lime juice and sprinkle chopped cilantro into the chili.

Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Ladle the hot chili into bowls.

Top with delicious low-carb options like:
  • Keto tortilla chips
  • Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • Extra fresh cilantro

Smart Strategies For Low-Carb White Chicken Chili

  • Adjust the heat by removing jalapeno seeds or adding extra chili powder to match your taste preference.
  • Soften cream cheese at room temperature before adding to ensure a smooth, lump-free texture in the chili.
  • Swap chicken breasts with rotisserie chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken for a quicker, more convenient preparation.
  • Prepare the chili in advance and store in airtight containers for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to develop and intensify overnight.
  • Replace chicken with cauliflower or zucchini chunks and use vegetable broth for a delicious plant-based alternative.

Low-Carb White Chicken Chili Store And Reheat Strategy

  • Store leftover chili in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Transfer cooled chili to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Properly stored, it maintains quality for up to 3 months.
  • Pour chili into a pot, add a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Place chili in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals to ensure even heating and prevent hot spots.

Pairing Options for Low-Carb White Chicken Chili

  • Boost Wine Pairing: Select a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the chili's spicy and creamy profile, cutting through the richness with its bright acidity.
  • Craft Beer Match: Choose a light Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or Corona Extra, which refreshes the palate and balances the chili's complex pepper flavors.
  • Elevate Side Dish: Prepare a zesty cucumber and avocado salad with lime vinaigrette to provide a cool, crisp contrast to the warm, creamy chili and enhance the overall dining experience.
  • Garnish Enhancement: Top with extra fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, and crumbled queso fresco to add layers of texture and tangy brightness that complement the chili's base flavors.

Low-Carb White Chicken Chili Swaps

  • Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken breasts with firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives, keeping the same seasoning and cooking method for a meat-free version.
  • Dairy-Free Option: Substitute cream cheese with coconut cream or cashew cream to maintain the creamy texture while eliminating dairy.
  • Spice Level Adjustment: Reduce or remove jalapeno peppers for a milder version, or add additional hot peppers like serrano for extra heat for spice lovers.
  • Slow Cooker Method: Transfer all ingredients except cream cheese and lime juice to a slow cooker, cook on low for 6-8 hours, then stir in cream cheese and lime juice before serving for a hands-off approach.
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Low-Carb White Chicken Chili Recipe


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4.6 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty low-carb white chicken chili promises a spicy southwestern comfort without carbohydrate guilt. Rich green chilies and tender chicken create a protein-packed meal that satisfies passionate home cooks seeking delicious, healthy alternatives.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon, chicken flavor

Vegetables and Peppers:

  • 1 1/2 cups yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 jalapeño, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped
  • 2 Anaheim peppers, seeds and ribs removed, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (10 ounces) Rotel diced tomatoes with juice

Seasonings and Finishing Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 2 teaspoons coriander
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (about 1 bunch)

Instructions

  1. Warm olive oil in a spacious pot, gently transforming diced onions, spicy jalapeno, mild Anaheim peppers, and vibrant bell peppers into a tender, aromatic foundation.
  2. Introduce minced garlic and a symphony of spices including cumin, chili powder, oregano, coriander, salt, and black pepper, allowing their essence to bloom and intensify for a brief moment.
  3. Pour in zesty Rotel tomatoes, rich chicken broth, and umami-packed Better Than Bouillon, creating a harmonious liquid base that will embrace the protein.
  4. Carefully nestle chicken breasts into the simmering liquid, allowing them to poach gently until perfectly cooked through and tender, approximately 10-12 minutes.
  5. Melt cream cheese into the bubbling mixture, whisking until a luxuriously smooth texture emerges, then brighten the chili with fresh lime juice and fragrant cilantro.
  6. Taste and calibrate seasonings, ensuring a perfect balance of flavors that dance across the palate.
  7. Ladle the steaming chili into bowls and garnish with optional low-carb accompaniments like crispy keto tortilla chips, melted Monterey Jack cheese, or an extra sprinkle of fresh cilantro.

Notes

  • Swap chicken breasts with thighs for richer, more tender meat that stays juicy during cooking.
  • Use full-fat cream cheese to ensure a thicker, creamier consistency and enhance the luxurious texture of the chili.
  • Consider roasting peppers beforehand to intensify their smoky flavor and add deeper complexity to the dish.
  • For dairy-free adaptation, replace cream cheese with coconut cream or cashew cream to maintain the creamy profile while keeping it low-carb and allergen-friendly.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 950 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 32 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Emily Harper

Emily Harper

Nutrition Consultant & Recipe Analyst

Expertise

Healthy Recipe Modification, Nutritional Analysis & Meal Planning, Global Cuisine & Dietary Adaptations​

Education

School: French Pastry School, Chicago, IL

Program: L’Art de la Pâtisserie

Focus: Intensive training in traditional French pastry techniques, baking theory, and confectionery arts. ​


Emily’s journey started in a pastry kitchen but took a detour into the world of health and flavor science.
Graduating from the French Pastry School and studying nutrition opened her eyes to a new mission: making healthy food taste like something you’d actually crave.
At Dining At Home, Emily’s the go-to for smart, feel-good recipes that don’t trade flavor for nutrition.
She’s all about adding a fresh spin on old favorites and finding small ways to make everyday meals a little brighter.
Outside of the kitchen, Emily is most at home walking forest trails, testing plant-based recipes, or sharing a picnic under a wide-open sky.

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