Zesty Cajun White Chicken Chili Recipe: Warm & Flavorful Bowls

When hunger strikes on a chilly evening, a soul-warming Cajun white chicken chili recipe delivers comfort straight to your table.

Packed with robust spices and tender chicken, this dish brings Louisiana’s vibrant flavors to life.

Creamy white beans meld perfectly with succulent chicken pieces, creating a rich and satisfying meal.

Jalapeños and Cajun seasoning add a delightful kick that dances across your palate.

Each spoonful promises a hearty blend of warmth and zesty excitement.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Grab a ladle and savor every delicious moment of this irresistible chili.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 500 kcal

Servings: 6

What You’ll Use in Cajun White Chicken Chili

• Chicken: Lean protein base that adds hearty texture and absorbs Cajun spices perfectly.
• Sausage: Brings smoky depth and extra richness to the chili's flavor profile.

• Onion: Builds foundational flavor and provides natural sweetness.
• Bell Pepper: Adds vibrant color and crisp freshness to the dish.
• Celery: Introduces subtle earthy undertones and delightful crunch.
• Garlic: Delivers robust, intense flavor that elevates the entire recipe.

• Cajun Seasoning: Signature spice blend that delivers authentic Louisiana-style heat.
• Cumin: Warm, earthy spice that adds complex southwestern notes.
• Paprika: Provides subtle smokiness and beautiful reddish color.
• Broth: Creates rich, deep liquid base for simmering ingredients.
• Beans: Hearty protein source that thickens the chili naturally.
• Tomatoes: Adds bright acidity and helps create smooth sauce consistency.

• Sour Cream: Introduces tangy richness and helps balance spicy flavors.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, velvety texture.
• Lime Juice: Brightens overall flavor with zesty, fresh kick.

Essential Tools to Simmer Cajun White Chicken Chili Right

• Large pot or Dutch oven: Essential for cooking the entire chili and sautéing ingredients.
• Cutting board: For chopping vegetables like onions, bell peppers, and celery.
• Sharp knife: Needed to dice vegetables and slice chicken.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Immersion blender (optional): Helps create a creamier texture by partially blending the chili.
• Measuring spoons: For accurately measuring spices and seasonings.
• Measuring cups: To measure broth and other liquid ingredients precisely.
• Ladle: Useful for serving the chili into individual bowls.

Cooking Cajun White Chicken Chili with Richness and Heat

• Brown the Protein: Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add chicken and optional sausage, sprinkle with Cajun seasoning. Cook until golden and crispy, then remove and set aside.
• Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, toss in diced onions, bell peppers, celery, and minced garlic. Cook until vegetables become soft and fragrant.
• Build the Base: Sprinkle cumin, paprika, and additional Cajun seasoning. Pour in broth, stir in beans and tomatoes. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and let simmer.
• Create Creamy Texture: Use an immersion blender to partially break down some beans, creating a richer consistency. Alternatively, mash beans with a spoon.
• Finish and Enrich: Blend in sour cream, heavy cream, and a splash of lime juice. Return protein back to the pot and let everything mingle for a few more minutes.
• Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the steaming chili into bowls. Top with your favorite garnishes and serve alongside warm cornbread or crispy tortilla chips.

Tips to Make Cajun White Chicken Chili Even Bolder

• Adjust the Cajun seasoning to match your heat tolerance. Start with less and add more gradually for a personalized kick.
• Use an immersion blender to partially blend the chili, creating a thicker, more velvety consistency without losing chunky elements.
• Swap beans for extra vegetables like cauliflower or zucchini to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining hearty texture.
• Experiment with different protein combinations like turkey sausage, shredded rotisserie chicken, or plant-based alternative for varied flavor profiles.
• This chili tastes even better the next day. Prepare in advance and store in refrigerator for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to develop and intensify.

How to Serve Cajun White Chicken Chili at the Table

• Comfort Bowl Companions: Pair this hearty chili with warm, buttered cornbread for a classic Southern-style meal that soaks up every delicious spoonful.
• Zesty Topping Extravaganza: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro, diced green onions, crumbled queso fresco, and a dollop of sour cream to add bright, creamy layers of flavor and texture.
• Game Day Dipping Delight: Serve alongside crispy tortilla chips or crunchy corn chips for an interactive eating experience that lets guests scoop up the rich, spicy chili with every bite.
• Cooling Complement: Add a side of refreshing avocado salad or a crisp green salad with lime vinaigrette to balance the chili's bold Cajun heat and provide a light, fresh contrast.

Keeping Cajun White Chicken Chili Warm or Chilled

• Prepare double the recipe and divide into meal-prep containers for easy weekday lunches or quick dinners. This chili tastes even better after flavors meld overnight.
• Store in airtight containers and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat gently on stovetop, stirring occasionally to maintain creamy texture.
• Separate chili into individual serving sizes before refrigerating. This helps quick reheating and prevents multiple temperature changes that could impact food quality.
• Keep toppings like chopped cilantro, green onions, shredded cheese, and sour cream separately in small containers. Add fresh toppings when reheating to maintain crisp textures and maximize flavor experience.

Hearty Cajun White Chicken Chili Recipe

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4.5 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Creamy “Cajun White Chicken Chili” brings Louisiana’s spicy comfort to your dinner table, blending rich flavors with hearty ingredients. Warm spices and tender chicken create a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 1 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
• ½ pounds andouille sausage, sliced (optional for extra Cajun kick)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 (15 ounces) cans white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
• 1 (10 ounces) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel)
• ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (plus more to taste)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Juice of ½ lime
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional Toppings:

• Chopped cilantro
• Sliced green onions
• Shredded cheese
• Extra Cajun seasoning
• Tortilla chips or cornbread

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Instructions

1. Sear Proteins: In a large pot, heat olive oil and sizzle chicken and sausage with Cajun seasoning until golden brown. Transfer proteins to a side plate.
2. Aromatic Base: Saute onions, bell peppers, celery, and garlic in the same pot until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, releasing their natural sweetness.
3. Spice Infusion: Sprinkle cumin, paprika, and additional Cajun seasoning into the pot, stirring to create a rich, layered flavor profile.
4. Liquid Foundation: Pour in broth, white beans, and diced tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and allow the chili to simmer, developing deep, complex flavors for 20 minutes.
5. Texture Enhancement: Gently break down some beans using an immersion blender or potato masher to create a slightly thickened, rustic consistency.
6. Creamy Finale: Stir in sour cream, heavy cream, and fresh lime juice. Reintroduce the seared proteins to the pot and let everything meld together for an additional 5 minutes.
7. Presentation: Ladle the steaming chili into serving bowls and garnish with preferred toppings. Serve alongside warm cornbread or crispy tortilla chips.

Notes

• Adjust Cajun seasoning to match your heat tolerance. Start with less and gradually add more for personalized flavor depth.
• Temper sour cream and heavy cream by slowly stirring in small amounts of hot broth before adding to prevent separation and maintain smooth texture.
• Replace chicken with turkey or plant-based protein for dietary variations. Ensure alternative proteins are seasoned well to maintain robust flavor profile.
• Use immersion blender sparingly to maintain chunky consistency. Partially blending some beans creates creamy thickness without losing ingredient integrity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Cajun

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg