From Lauren: This recipe for Paleo White Chicken Chili is from regular contributor and fellow NTP Jean Choi.
What is it about creamy soups that make us feel instantly warm, cozy and nourished? Packed with veggies and bone broth, and I just don’t know if I could survive winter without a bowl of yummy soup every few days.
I made this Paleo White Chicken Chili twice in the past week because my husband and I couldn’t get enough of it. He even told me that he likes it better than the regular traditional chili I make, and I think I have to agree with him. It’s full of flavor from the delicious combination of spices and the shredded chicken adds a great texture that will have you forgetting that the recipe doesn’t include beans. Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did!
About the ingredients in the Paleo White Chicken Chili
Chicken Thighs or Breasts – I personally recommend chicken thighs over breasts any day, because it’s so much more tender and flavorful. However, either one will work for this recipe. Try to purchase pasture-raised chicken if you can.
Diced Green Chili – You can purchase a small can of diced green chili at most grocery stores. If you prefer some extra spice, you can substitute with fire roasted diced green chili, which also comes in a can.
Coconut milk – Make sure to use full-fat, canned coconut milk for the creamy texture. It won’t be the same if you use the light version!
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 celery sticks, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced,
- 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and membranes removed, diced
- 1½ lbs of skinless, boneless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
- 4 cups of bone broth or chicken broth
- 1 4-oz can of diced green chili
- 1 14-oz can of full fat coconut milk, recommended brand here
- Optional garnish: cilantro, avocado slices, and/or more jalapeño slices
- Heat coconut oil in a large pot over medium high heat.
- Add onion, celery, garlic, and jalapeños and cook stirring for 5 minutes.
- Push the veggies to the side then add the chicken with cumin, chili powder, coriander, oregano, sea salt, and black pepper.
- Cook the chicken for 5 minutes until the chicken is browned on all sides.
- Add the broth and diced green chili, and let the soup come to a boil.
- Lower the heat to medium low, and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
- Transfer the chicken to a bowl and use 2 forks to shred it completely.
- Add the chicken back to the soup, then add in coconut milk.
- Turn up the heat to medium high, then let the mixture come back to a boil.
- Let it boil for 10 minutes until the soup is slightly reduced and thickened.
- Take off heat and serve topped with your favorite garnish.
About Jean Choi
Jean Choi is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, recipe developer, and food photographer at What Great Grandma Ate. She started her blog to share her story of overcoming years of digestive issues and adrenal fatigue, and to help others realize that nutrient-dense allergen-free cooking can be simple, easy, and delicious. Jean believes that the food you love should love you back through healing and nourishment. For more of her real food recipes and SoCal adventures, follow along on her Instagram and Facebook.
Hi! Would this freeze well? If so, would you just recommend making it then putting it all in freezer zip lock bag ?
Definitely needs some lime juice on top to break away from the coconut flavor! That finished it off for me. I added beans as well. Yum! My toddler was drinking from the bowl and saying “mmm!”
I (informally) won a chili cook-off with this recipe. This is such a better option than traditional chili in my opinion. I add Frank’s Red Hot Sauce to mine as well as a few yellow potatoes diced to full the flavor and texture out a bit. I also add more spices than recommended. Amazing soup!
Thanks for letting me know, and for sharing your delicious additions. I love hearing this recipe was a winner!