dad’s white chicken chili
In addition to being really into breakfast foods, my dad is seriously into chili.
True story time: One of his semi-real goals is to open up a restaurant that serves chili and hot dogs and call it “Dis Place.” I know. I mean, I don’t know. I don’t know where that idea came from, or why he wants to serve just those two foods, but it’s perfectly quirky and awesome. Just like Dad.
My dad typically makes two kinds of chili: red chili, with loads of beans and ground beef and tomatoes and chopped veggies, and this white chicken chili. The former, I believe, is his original recipe (which I need to share, too, one day) while the latter is a take on Melissa d’Arabian’s recipe. In both cases, my dad is famous for them. Well, in our immediate family, at least. But we’re really big fans.
What makes this white chicken chili so fame-worthy, you ask? Well for starters, it’s unique. It’s made with shredded cooked chicken, roasted garlic, roasted Anaheim peppers and spinach and all of it comes together into what leads to my second point, which is that this chili has a legit Y-U-M factor. It might take some love and time to make, yes, but all of that love and time goes into the chili and the result is spectacular spectacular. And yes, I meant to type that twice.
There are beans in this chili, but they aren’t really the star of the show. Neither is the chicken, really. To me, what makes this recipe a recipe worth repeating are the roasted garlic and peppers. They impart such a wonderfully rich, savory and slightly spicy flavor I don’t think I’ve ever tasted in anything else before, soup, chili or otherwise. The creamy base of this chili (which is really just a small amount of heavy cream, meaning this is a good-for-you meal, too, cha-ching!) helps to balance out the strong flavors. Oh, and then you get those pieces of shredded chicken and spinach throughout. Aaaaaand cue the moment when I wish I had made a double batch.
So here you have it: My dad’s (via Melissa) famous white chicken chili recipe. Coming soon to a “Dis Place” restaurant near you.
PrintWhite Chicken Chili
- Prep Time: 45 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 mins
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the roasted garlic:
- 12 cloves garlic, unpeeled
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon water
For the chili:
- 3 Anaheim chile peppers
- 8 shallots, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 8 cups vegetable broth, divided
- 4 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 (15 oz) can navy beans, undrained
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 (10 oz) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed
- 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- Sour cream, chopped fresh parsley and/or shredded cheese, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Toss garlic, oil and water in a small microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, leaving a small vent, and microwave 1 1/2 minutes until soft. Cover completely and let cool.
- Meanwhile, place an oven rack near the top of the oven, then heat the broiler. Line a broiler pan with foil. Place chile peppers on foil and roast 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred.
- Transfer peppers to a bowl; cover with plastic wrap and let sit until cool.
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add chopped shallots and cook 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until caramelized.
- Add minced garlic and cook 2 minutes; add flour and stir 3 minutes until toasted. Increase the heat to high and add 1 cup broth. Simmer 2 minutes, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add another 6 cups broth, the cooked chicken, chili powder, cayenne pepper, navy beans and salt and pepper to taste.
- Peel, seed and chop roasted peppers; add to saucepan.
- Remove pulp from roasted garlic cloves and place in a food processor. Add remaining 1 cup broth and process until smooth. Add to saucepan.
- Simmer chili, uncovered, 25 minutes until thickened. Add spinach; cook another 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in smoked paprika, heavy cream and salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve with sour cream, chopped fresh parsley and/or shredded cheese on top, if desired.
This looks so great Stephanie! And you can tell your dad that I would visit ‘Dis Place’ all the time if I lived near you…(minor detail).
Totally agree with you–roasted chilies are the best part of homemade chili!
Mmm this looks so so good!! I’m a roasted garlic addict, and it sounds delicious in the base of this chili. Pinned, and definitely need to try this soon.
Your dad sounds like a straight up champ! BOOM! My friends and I were just talking about white chicken chili yesterday, and I was all “whaaaaat is it? I’ve never made it! What makes it whiiiite?” And now I have all my answers, and I’m 200% making your dad’s signature WCC. SO GOOD!
Let your pop know I would willingly get on a plane in order to go to Dis Place and eat all the chili and hot dogs 😉
Throw roasted garlic in anything and I’m a huge fan! This sounds so great!
I am definitely trying this – I need a good hearty soup and this is definitely on my list.
Steph, I need a dinner for tonight and this looks perfect. Is it spicy…I live With a bunch of woosies when it comes to chilli?
Dis Place would do very well in London; we have loads of eateries that just focus on one or two things. For example Burger & Lobster, where you have a choice between a beef burger, a lobster or a lobster roll, and Bubble Dogs where it is all hot digs and champagne.
I’m shivering all the way in Seattle for you Stephanie! -20, I can’t even imagine. What a perfectly delicious way to warm up!! I just love Dad recipes, they are the best!
My dad also is chilli and breakfast lover, I find he likes red chilli than white in his. He can eat it for breakfast!
Maybe it is the spicy heat that make him want to eat a bit better but I am sure he would love a pot of this chilli too.
I think Dis Place needs to become a reality! I’m totally there for the grand opening. I’ve been looking for a recipe for white chicken chili for so long, but all the recipes I found were also missing something. This recipe totally nails it…love the shredded chicken and roasted garlic!
Laura — Haha, he will be so happy to know he has a loyal customer already 🙂 Thanks, dear!
Rachel — I’m becoming a roasted garlic addict, too, thanks to this chili. Thanks for pinning!
Julia — Ermagerd, white chili is life-changing. You’ll love it. And my dad will love knowing that you are committed to his future restaurant. 😉
Marie — Agreed! Thanks, doll!
Ali — Thanks, dear! I hope you love it 🙂
Gerry — Awesome! There’s a very mild kick from the peppers/chili powder, but I bet if you knocked down the chili powder a bit you wouldn’t get any heat. Hope you love it!
Rachel — Reason #8724 why I need to go to London already, because that sounds amazing. 🙂
Maria — I’m staying inside as much as possible so I don’t have to experience it 🙂 And I agree — dads just know how to make the best food!
Belinda — Chili for breakfast? Sounds genius. 🙂
Kelli — Thanks, dear! Sometimes a good chicken chili just hits the spot. And I’ll keep you posted on that grand opening 😉
This looks SO good. I love chicken chili 🙂
Who can’t use a bowl of belly-warming chili on a day like today? I’m in.
Oh, I wish I were enjoying a bowl now! Love the idea of roasting the garlic and peppers first! Must try!
“Dis Place” YES!! Love this chili and that name.. Go ahead on dad!!
I would soooo go to Dis Place! I love the trick with the garlic, what a time saver! The broth to this chili looks fantastic! What a perfect cold weather food!
YUMMMMMM! I literally just made some yesterday and am posting it this week. I love love LOVE white chicken chili!!
I love white chicken chili. Especially when its a cold day like today.
I love the unique flavors of this chili! It definitely isn’t like all the other ones out there so that’s what makes it special – even moreso that it’s from your dad! I love family recipes like this!
So, I totally, totally want to face plant in a bowl of this right now. It sounds so packed with flavour, can’t wait to give it a go!
Ah this looks amaze, I am such a fan of white chicken chili too. Your dad sounds hilarious, I love the whole story around this recipe!
Claire — Thanks, friend!
Anna — Right? It’s necessary. 🙂
Jessica — It takes some time but it’s the best part, for sure. Thanks!
Erika — Haha, my dad, so full of wit. 😉
Stefanie — He’ll be happy to know he’s got a loyal customer already! 😉 Thanks, dear!
Laurie — Great minds! I’m all out though so can I come over for leftovers? 😉
Meagan — Cold days seem to make it taste that much better. Thanks!
Julie — Thanks so much!
Kathryn — I felt the same way when I had a bowl in front of me. 😉 Thanks!
Alexe — He’s one of a kind, that’s for sure! 😉 Thanks, dear!
I would totally dine at Dis Place. Just sayin!
I would totes frequent “Dis Place”. Mostly because your dad sounds hysterical and I want to be his friend. But also because I love all colors of chili.
I made this tonight and it received 4 thumbs up, it was so good!! I cut back on the spice but chopped some chillis for myself which I sprinkled on top. loved the roasted garlic in the microwave trick too..Definitely making this again Steph 🙂
I’ve been looking for a white chili recipe for a while now and this is perfect!! Love the roasted garlic. Dad’s always know what’s best!!
I always forget about chicken chili. Since the hubs like BEEF, I always go with the traditional. But I’m totally writing this one down and making it. I can almost taste it now!
Looks so good!! I just did chili today, but not white and not this good looking!! I cannot wait to try this one out on the fam!
Wow. Now this looks just about perfect now. The only way to beat cold weather? A good pot of soup or chili! Thank you for sharing. Just delicious!
I’m always looking for new chili recipes – and I’ve actually never made a white chicken chili version! And with all that roasted garlic, the spinach, the chicken … I can definitely see how it would have the yum factor! And I love your dad’s goal – and that name : )
This white chicken chili looks amazing Stephanie! It’s been really cold here too and will be for the rest of the week so I definitely need a big hot steaming bowl of this to warm up with. Hehe and Dis Place sounds like it would be an awesome restaurant 🙂
Thanks for warming our hearts with a great shout out to your dad….Dad’s are special! Love the addition of the spinach as I’m sneaky about that myself. Stay outta the cold today if ya can!
Sally — My dad will be so happy to know that. 😉
Stephie — Anyone who loves all colors of chili is a friend of my dad (and me, duh).
Gerry — Oh good!! I’m so glad. Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Zainab — They totally do know what’s best, especially when food is involved. 😉
Steph — I agree; chicken chili is always the underdog but it’s just as tasty (if not better :)). I hope you like it!
Tieghan — There are never too many opportunities to make chili, methinks. 😉 Thanks, dear!
Monet — Thanks so much! 🙂
Ashley — I know, most people (including me) always think of the red, beefy version but this is just as good! Obviously why my dad’s idea will be such a success. 😉 Thanks!
Kelly — Let’s all convince my dad to set up his restaurant already so we have somewhere to go and eat and escape from the cold! 😉 Thanks, dear!
Kiki — Aw, thank you. I’m so glad people appreciate my dad as much as I do. 🙂 You stay warm, too (if it’s cold by where you are)!
So glad I found your blog. It’s teeming with mouth watering recipes like this one! This seriously looks delicious!
Graham — Thank you! And thanks for stopping by 🙂
I love chicken chili! I need to try your dad’s recipe!!!
White chili is the best, I would love a big bowl for dinner!
As a big fan of chili myself, I would definitely visit your Dad’s restaurant. He needs to turn that goal into reality. In the meantime, I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Katie — You totally should! Thanks!
Laura — And some of your lemon cookies for dessert! 😉
Ashley — I’m holding him to it that he’ll open it up once he retires. I’ll keep you posted. 😉
I am SOOO making a veggie version of this!! It looks far to stick-to-your-ribs good to have to go without ever having it. I mean…roasted garlic AND peppers. Swoon.
Joanne — Do it! I bet it would be just as tasty.
Wow I had no idea white chili was a thing, but there I go… learning something new every day. Best of luck to your dad! I’d go to that restaurant 😉
Your dad sounds pretty awesome to me. I love white chicken chili but I’ve never actually made it myself. I think it might be time to try!
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Wow I had no idea white chili was a thing, but there I go… learning something new every day. Best of luck to your dad! I’d go to that restaurant ?