Description
A soulful, spicy departure from traditional chili, this Cajun White Chicken Chili features the ‘Holy Trinity’ of Cajun cooking onion, bell pepper, and celery. Juicy chicken thighs and Creole cream-style navy beans create a thick, velvety consistency and deeply aromatic base without the need for heavy cream.
Ingredients
The Seasoned Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, bite-sized
- Spice Blend: 3/4 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp cumin, 2 tsp dried parsley, 1 tsp paprika
- Salt, black pepper, and cayenne to taste
The Cajun Chili Base
- 3–4 tbsp oil or butter
- The Trinity: 1 yellow onion, 1 green bell pepper, 2 celery ribs (chopped)
- 2 tbsp garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 (16 oz) cans Blue Runner Creole Cream-Style Navy Beans
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel tomatoes with green chilis
Instructions
Season: Toss chicken with spices until coated.
Trinity: Sauté onion, bell pepper, and celery in oil/butter until soft.
Brown: Add chicken to the pot. Cook until chicken and veggies are browned and caramelized.
Simmer: Stir in garlic (1 min), then add broth, beans, and Rotel. Bring to a boil.
Cook: Reduce heat; simmer partially covered for 30 mins. Rest 10 mins before serving over rice.
Notes
The ‘Cream-Style’ Secret: Using cream-style beans provides natural thickness. If using regular beans, mash 1/2 cup to achieve a similar velvety texture.
Thighs vs. Breasts: Thighs remain succulent during the simmer due to higher fat and connective tissue; breast meat tends to dry out.
Browning: Don’t rush the browning step; the ‘fond’ on the bottom of the pot is essential for a savory, umami-rich broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course / Soup
- Method: One-Pot / Dutch Oven
- Cuisine: Cajun / Creole-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 Cups
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 890
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 7
- Protein: 34
- Cholesterol: 115
Keywords: cajun white chicken chili, blue runner navy beans recipe, holy trinity cajun cooking, spicy chicken chili, louisianna white chili, one pot chicken chili, creole chicken recipes