Mexican Street Corn White Chicken Chili Recipe
Mexican Street Corn White Chicken Chili is a creamy, flavorful chili that combines tender shredded chicken, fire-roasted corn, and white beans with a perfect blend of spices, cream cheese, and lime juice. Inspired by the classic Mexican street corn (elote), this cozy dish offers a balance of savory, tangy, and smoky notes, making it ideal for chilly nights, game day gatherings, or weeknight meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup/Chili
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound cooked chicken breast, shredded (rotisserie works perfectly)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
- 2 cups roasted or fire-roasted corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (more if you love spice)
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Creamy Elements
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Juice of 1 lime
Toppings
- ½ cup crumbled cotija or queso fresco
- Optional toppings: cilantro, sliced jalapeños, avocado, tortilla strips, extra cotija cheese
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the Base: Stir in shredded chicken, chicken broth, white beans, green chilies, corn, and all spices. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to simmer for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Make It Creamy: Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese until melted and smooth. Then whisk in sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and lime juice.
- Finish and Garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle chili into bowls and top with crumbled cotija cheese, cilantro, jalapeños, or avocado slices for that authentic Mexican street corn flair.
Notes
- For extra spice, add diced jalapeños, chipotle peppers, or your favorite hot sauce.
- Boost nutrition with additional vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach.
- For a cheesier version, mix in shredded Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese.
- To make this dairy-free, substitute cream cheese and sour cream with dairy-free alternatives such as cashew cream.
- Leftovers reheat well and the flavors deepen after resting overnight.
- Serve with tortilla chips or cornbread muffins for a comforting meal.
Keywords: Mexican street corn chili, white chicken chili, creamy chicken chili, Mexican comfort food, shredded chicken chili, easy weeknight chili
