Name: Mediterranean White Chicken Chili
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs; 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped; 4 to 5 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional); 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained; 1 (4-ounce) can diced mild green chiles, undrained; ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped; 1 (14-ounce) can or jar artichoke hearts, drained and chopped; ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced; 4 cups (32 ounces) low-sodium chicken broth; 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes and softened; 1 tablespoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional); ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste); ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste); Juice of 1 fresh lemon; Crumbled feta cheese for garnish; Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped for garnish; Extra lemon wedges for garnish; Warm crusty bread or pita chips for dipping

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SPREAD LOVE

Short, Catchy Intro

So you are craving something tasty but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen huh Same. This Mediterranean white chicken chili is like a cozy hug from two continents. It has creamy tangy savory bits and the kind of flavor that makes you want to text your mom and ask if she made something like this when you were little even if she did not.

If you like bold flavors without fuss this recipe is your new best friend. Also if you ever wanted to combine cannellini beans with Kalamata olives and not feel guilty go ahead you are allowed. FYI I sometimes pair this with pita chips and call it a personality.

Want a little gyros vibe with your chili Try this fun riff on Mediterranean chicken gyros while you cook Mediterranean chicken gyros for max dinner variety.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

This is creamy without being heavy and bright without tasting like it got too excited in the spice drawer. It is comforting and fancy all at once which is great for weeknights and also great for pretending you planned ahead for guests.

It is slow cooker friendly so you can assemble in the morning and live your life while the flavors become best friends. It is also pretty forgiving. It is idiot proof even I did not mess it up. You get protein fiber and tang without a million pots.

Also this one tastes like it belongs at a little seaside taverna even if you are eating it on your couch watching reruns. Winning.

Ingredients You’ll Need

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs pick your mood
1 large yellow onion finely chopped because crying happens anyway
4 to 5 cloves garlic minced more if you are a garlic person
1 tablespoon olive oil optional for sautéing aromatics if you want extra depth
2 15 ounce cans cannellini beans rinsed and drained because we like creamy beans
1 4 ounce can diced mild green chiles undrained for a gentle kick
1 half cup sun dried tomatoes oil packed drained and roughly chopped for chewy bursts of flavor
1 14 ounce can or jar artichoke hearts packed in water or brine drained and quartered or roughly chopped heart of champions
1 half cup Kalamata olives pitted and sliced salty and dramatic
4 cups 32 ounces low sodium chicken broth keep it mild so you can control salt later
8 ounces cream cheese full fat or light cut into 1 inch cubes and softened please soften it first
1 tablespoon ground cumin warm and earthy
1 teaspoon dried oregano classic Mediterranean vibe
1 teaspoon dried basil chill herb energy
1 half teaspoon smoked paprika optional but tasty
1 quarter teaspoon red pepper flakes optional for heat that says hello
1 teaspoon salt or to taste start conservative you can always add more
1 half teaspoon black pepper freshly ground or to taste
Juice of 1 fresh lemon brightens everything up
Crumbled feta cheese for garnish because comfort needs a crown
Fresh parsley or cilantro chopped for garnish green and pretty
Extra lemon wedges for garnish for people who like extra lemon
Warm crusty bread or pita chips for dipping mandatory dipping implement

Step by Step Instructions

Pat chicken dry and optionally cut larger pieces in half. Dry chicken sears less in the slow cooker but mostly this is so it fits and cooks evenly.
Finely chop onion and mince garlic. Optionally sauté onion in olive oil for 5 to 7 minutes then add garlic for 1 minute. This step is optional but gives deeper flavor.
Rinse and drain cannellini beans. Nobody likes bean water.
Drain and chop sun dried tomatoes artichoke hearts and slice olives. Keep the pieces chunky so you get little flavor explosions.
Combine spices in a bowl. Mix cumin oregano basil smoked paprika red pepper flakes salt and pepper so they distribute evenly.
Soften cream cheese at room temp and cut into cubes. Soft cream cheese melts like a dream. Do not try to melt frozen cream cheese into the slow cooker it will sulk.
Place chicken in the slow cooker add onions garlic beans chiles tomatoes artichokes olives and spices. Make a cozy bed of everything for the chicken to nap in.
Pour broth over everything nestle cream cheese on top. The cream cheese will slowly melt into luxuriousness.
Cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours until chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use your thermometer and be a responsible adult about chicken safety.
Shred chicken and mix in with the creamy base. Use two forks or a hand mixer for a shredded texture that blends nicely with the beans.
Squeeze in lemon juice and adjust seasoning. Taste then add salt pepper or lemon until your soul is satisfied.
Serve garnished with feta parsley and lemon wedges alongside warm bread or pita chips. Dip scoop repeat.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Thinking you can skip softening the cream cheese. That will lead to clumps and disappointment.
Adding all the salt at the start. Salt concentrates as things reduce so taste at the end.
Overcooking the chicken into sawdust. Use a thermometer and stop when it hits safe temps.
Forgetting to rinse the beans. That bean juice will change your broth in weird ways.
Skipping the lemon. The lemon brightens the whole pot and makes the flavors pop. No lemon is a sad pot.
Trying to substitute something wild like canned peaches. Impressive creativity but maybe not tonight.

Alternatives & Substitutions

No cannellini beans Try great northern or navy beans. They behave the same with tiny personality tweaks. I like cannellini for their creaminess though.
No Kalamata olives Use green olives or Castelvetrano for a milder taste. Black olives work in a pinch but they bring less character.
No sun dried tomatoes Use roasted red peppers. You get that sweet tang in a different texture.
Want dairy free Replace cream cheese with a dairy free cream cheese or blend in a can of full fat coconut milk for creaminess minus the tang. Not identical but quite good.
Want it faster Use cooked rotisserie chicken and heat everything together for 20 to 30 minutes to meld flavors. Game changer for time poor cooks.
Want more heat Add extra red pepper flakes harissa or a few chopped jalapenos. I judge no one for loving spice.

FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

Q What if I do not have a slow cooker Can I make this on the stove Yes You can simmer everything in a heavy pot over low heat with a lid for about 45 to 60 minutes until the chicken is tender Then shred and finish as directed It will be slightly different but still excellent

Q Can I freeze leftovers Absolutely Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove Add a splash of broth if it thickened too much

Q Can I use thighs instead of breasts Yes thighs are juicier and forgive timing mistakes More fat equals more flavor IMO

Q How can I make this spicier Add chopped fresh jalapeno or jalapeno in adobo or increase red pepper flakes You could even swirl in a spoonful of harissa for complex heat

Q Is there a vegetarian version Sure Swap the chicken for extra beans and add mushrooms or eggplant for umami Use vegetable broth and skip the cream cheese or use a dairy free alternative

Q Can I make this in an Instant Pot Yes Use the manual high pressure setting for 10 minutes with a natural release for 10 minutes Then shred the chicken and add cream cheese and lemon at the end

Q How long will leftovers keep in the fridge Three to four days if stored properly Taste improves sometimes after a day as the flavors settle

Final Thoughts

This chili is proof that comfort food can be bright interesting and slightly fancy without requiring a crown or a complicated ingredient list. It works for weeknight dinners meal prep and showing off a little at parties. You can tweak it to your taste and it will still behave.

Go ahead and make it for people you want to impress or for yourself on a night that needs a hug in a bowl. Do not forget the lemon and the feta Those two make the dish feel like it actually deserves applause.

Now go impress someone or yourself with your new culinary skills You have earned it

Conclusion

If you want to explore other white chicken chili takes you might like this detailed version from The Mediterranean Dish which gives a slightly different twist and more background on flavors The Mediterranean Dish white chicken chili. If you are curious about crockpot variations and a blogger who leans into comfort food try this cozy crockpot version from Kale Me Maybe which inspired some of the slow cooker ideas here Kale Me Maybe crockpot Mediterranean white chicken chili.