Description
Spicy Cajun white chicken chili brings Southern comfort to your dinner table with bold Louisiana-inspired flavors. Creamy white beans, tender chicken, and zesty seasonings combine for a hearty meal that warms souls and satisfies hungry appetites.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
- ½ pound (½ lb) andouille sausage, sliced (optional for extra Cajun kick)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 teaspoons (2 tsp) Cajun seasoning (plus more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon (½ tsp) smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) olive oil
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 (15 ounce) cans white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
- 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel)
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 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
Instructions
- Ignite a large pot with olive oil over medium-high heat, introducing diced chicken and optional sausage. Lavishly coat with Cajun seasoning, searing until golden and caramelized. Transfer protein to a separate plate.
- Within the same aromatic pot, introduce diced onions, vibrant bell peppers, crisp celery, and minced garlic. Sauté until vegetables transform into a soft, translucent medley, releasing their fragrant essence.
- Elevate the flavor profile by incorporating cumin, smoky paprika, and an additional sprinkle of Cajun seasoning. Quickly stir to distribute spices evenly and awaken their robust characteristics.
- Pour in rich chicken broth, tender white beans, and diced tomatoes. Allow the mixture to reach a vigorous boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, permitting ingredients to meld and develop deep, complex flavors for approximately 20 minutes.
- For enhanced texture, utilize an immersion blender to partially puree the chili, or manually crush some beans with a wooden spoon, creating a rustic, creamy consistency.
- Introduce tangy sour cream, luxurious heavy cream, and a splash of zesty lime juice. Reintegrate the reserved chicken and sausage, allowing everything to harmonize for an additional 5 minutes.
- Assess and calibrate seasoning, ensuring a perfectly balanced taste. Ladle into warm bowls and embellish with preferred garnishes like fresh cilantro, green onions, or a dollop of additional sour cream.
- Serve alongside warm cornbread or crispy tortilla chips for a complete, comforting Cajun-inspired meal.
Notes
- Customize Heat Levels: Adjust Cajun seasoning and add hot sauce to control spiciness for different taste preferences.
- Protein Flexibility: Swap chicken with turkey or use plant-based protein crumbles for vegetarian adaptation.
- Texture Tricks: Partially mashing beans creates a richer, more complex consistency without losing chunk texture.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This chili tastes even better the next day, allowing flavors to deepen and meld together perfectly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg