White Chicken Chili Pasta (Print Version)

Creamy pasta with chicken, beans, chilies, and cheese for a comforting, zesty dinner.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced

→ Pasta

02 - 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies, drained
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
08 - 1 cup frozen or canned corn, drained

→ Dairy & Liquids

09 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 cup whole milk
11 - 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed and softened
12 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

→ Seasonings

13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
15 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
17 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
18 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnishes

19 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
20 - Sliced jalapeños
21 - Lime wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - Cook penne or rotini pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and diced bell pepper; sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
03 - Mix in drained green chilies, corn, cannellini beans, ground cumin, chili powder, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Pour in chicken broth and whole milk. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.
05 - Add the cream cheese cubes. Stir until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce.
06 - Stir in cooked shredded chicken breast and drained pasta. Mix thoroughly until evenly combined.
07 - Sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the pasta mixture. Continue stirring until cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
08 - Serve immediately, garnished with chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and lime wedges if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Ready in just 40 minutes so you can whip it up any night
  • Family friendly and hearty with a comforting kick
  • Uses simple grocery store staples without needing a special trip
  • Rich creamy sauce thanks to two cheeses and whole milk
  • Great for using up leftover or rotisserie chicken
02 -
  • Packed with protein from chicken and beans so it keeps you full
  • Freezes and reheats beautifully for make ahead meals
  • Customizable heat level to suit any palate
  • Brings cozy Tex-Mex flavors to your table with very little fuss
03 -
  • Always shred cheese yourself pre shredded does not melt the same way
  • Let your cream cheese come to room temperature so it blends in smoothly
  • Taste at the very end and adjust seasoning once the cheeses have wrapped the pasta in flavor

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