It didn’t really occur to me how much we like chili in this house – and how much I must make it – until I realized that this is the third chili recipe I’ve posted here in as many months.

I guess there are worse things to be a little obsessed with.

This healthy vegetarian white chili is among my favorites. White kidney beans and hearty pinto beans simmer together with a rich vegetable broth, green chiles, diced fresh jalapeno pepper, and warming, comforting spices like cumin, oregano, and – believe it or not – a little touch of ground cloves. Add in some chopped cooked chicken at the end of the process, and – look! – vegetarians and carnivores can live together.

Topped with a little shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and a wedge of lime, this white chili is plenty satisfying without the chicken. But it’s nice to have options, right?

No ratings yet

Vegetarian White Chili with Optional Chicken

Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 2 hours
Author: Kare
Yield: 6 servings
White kidney beans and hearty pinto beans simmer together with a rich vegetable broth, green chiles, diced fresh jalapeno pepper, and warming, comforting spices like cumin, oregano, and - believe it or not - a little touch of ground cloves. Add in some chopped cooked chicken at the end of the process, and - look! - vegetarians and carnivores can live together.
Print Pin Rate

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 medium onions (chopped (about 2 cups))
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced (about 2 teaspoons))
  • 2 4- ounce cans diced mild green chilies
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 2 14 oz. cans cannelloni (white kidney beans, drained)
  • 1 14 oz. can pinto beans (drained)
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 jalapeno pepper with seeds (finely chopped*)
  • 2 cups diced cooked chicken (optional; this enough meat for half of the chili**)
  • Assorted toppings such as Monterey Jack cheese (cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro, salsa, and fresh lime wedges for squeezing over the top)

Instructions

  • In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Cook the onion, stirring occasionally, for about five minutes, until soft.
  • Stir in the garlic, cumin, oregano, cloves, cayenne pepper, and salt. Cook for another minute.
  • Add diced green chiles, beans, and vegetable broth. Continuing over medium heat, let the mixture come to a boil, then reduce the heat to love to keep the soup at a steady simmer. Simmer uncovered for about an hour.
  • Add the jalapeno pepper.
  • If adding chicken to a portion of the recipe, scoop just under half the chili into a separate, medium saucepan. Add the chicken to that half.
  • Simmer both versions for another 30 minutes uncovered.
  • Serve with assorted toppings.

Notes

  1. I add one jalapeno - with seeds - for just a touch of heat, but you might want to add two (or more) if you really want some fire.
  2. I rub bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts with olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper, then bake them at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes until a fork inserts easily into the meat and the juices run clear. Then I remove the meat from the bone, discard the skin, and chop.
Adapted from Simply Recipes and the Beyond Parsley cookbook
This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a portion of the proceeds. More about this here.