Vegan White Chicken Chili Recipe (2024)

Vegan White Chicken Chili is savory, spicy, creamy, and delicious. Full of vegan “chicken” chunks, white beans, corn, and green chilis. It’s so tasty and super hearty. This easy-to-make chili is wonderful for dinner. Toppings like cilantro, avocado, and lime add even more flavor!

Vegan White Chicken Chili Recipe (1)

Easy and Delicious Vegan White Chili

This is truly one of my favorite recipes. It’s so delicious and toppings make it even more so … while also adding some fresh ingredients. As tasty as it is, you wouldn’t believe there’s no added oil and it’s nearly fat-free. So it’s not just delicious, it’s really healthy, too.

Vegan White Chicken Chili Recipe (2)

Ingredients in Vegan White Chicken Chili

White Beans are used in this chili. I’ve used a mix of different white beans. Which beans are white beans? White beans include white navy beans, cannellini beans, great Northern beans, and lima beans or butter beans. They’re full of fiber and protein and are hearty, and mild-tasting but delicious.

Soy Curls are what make the “chicken” in this vegan recipe. This is an entirely plant-based chili and I’ve used Butler Soy Curls for the “meaty” and “chicken-like” chunks. These are mostly flavorless on their own but they soak up any tasty flavors they’re cooked in. So these soy curls take on the chicken-like flavor in the broth as well as some of the spices.

Green Chilis add so much spicy chili flavor. I used two small cans of green chilis and also added in two diced jalapenos. So tasty!

Vegetable Broth adds lots of flavor, too. I used a lighter brown/yellow vegetable broth. Those seem to be more “chicken” flavored while the dark brown ones seem more “beefy.” Maybe that’s just me. As always, use the ingredients you like (and leave out the ones you don’t).

Spices are used to add some heat and also to enhance the chicken-like flavor. Some are kind of unexpected. Onion powder and garlic powder are expected in any recipe but it’s nutritional yeast that adds a great deal of the chicken-like taste. Sage, thyme, cumin, red pepper flakes, a bit of chili powder, and a pinch of cayenne are also used.

Corn Kernels add both flavor and texture. Canned, frozen, or fresh works really well here.

Vegan White Chicken Chili Recipe (3)

What are Soy Curls?

Soy curls are dehydrated chunks of soy, basically. They come as hard chunks that seem like they couldn’t possibly be appealing, but when rehydrated they resembled the flavor and texture of chicken. They’re very high in protein but low in fat. Butler Soy Curls are dried at low temperatures and contain no chemicals, additives, or preservatives. They take on the flavor of whatever they’re being cooked with, much like tofu will do. They’re a great addition to a vegan kitchen. The bags of dehydrated soy curls will keep on the shelf for weeks. For long-term storage, they can be tossed in the freezer. rehydrating these is as easy as covering them in water or broth for 10 minutes.

Vegan White Chicken Chili Recipe (4)

Vegan White Chicken Chili in the Slow Cooker or Crockpot

I made this recipe in the crockpot and it was wonderful. It’s so easy. Just add all the ingredients to the slow cooker or crock pot and heat on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 1.5 to 2 hours.

Vegan White Chicken Chili on the Stove Top

This recipe is also easy to make on the stovetop. Just add all the ingredients to a large, heavy soup pot and simmer everything for about 35 minutes.

Vegan White Chicken Chili Recipe (5)

Toppings for Vegan Chili

Cilantro is a leafy green herb that’s found in most groceries in the produce department. It’s absolutely yummy. Whether you like cilantro is genetically determined. To some people, cilantro tastes like soap. To me, it’s one of the most delightful herbs to add to just about anything.

Avocado adds creamy chunks of delicate flavor. It’s delicious on its own but really adds a great deal of taste and texture here.

Green Onion is tasty and pretty sliced and added as a garnish.

Plant-Based Yogurt is creamy, tangy, and a great addition here. It’s much like a vegan sour cream, which can be used here as well. When buying vegan yogurt for any savory dish, make sure you look for the plain and unsweetened variety. The vanilla and/or sweetened versions are delicious on their own or in sweet recipes but not in this dish!

Lime and Lime Zest add a bright dash of yummy acidity. It’s perfect.

Plant-Based Cheese is also a super delicious addition to this chili. Just add a bit of any vegan cheese shreds and stir in. I like Daiya brand cheddar here but any vegan cheese shreds are going to be tasty.

Vegan White Chicken Chili Recipe (6)

Other Vegan Chili Recipes

Vegan Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili
Sweet Potato Chili in the Instant Pot
Best Vegan Chili Ever

Yield: 10 servings

Vegan White Chicken Chili

Vegan White Chicken Chili Recipe (7)

Vegan White Chicken Chili is savory, spicy, creamy, and delicious. Full of vegan "chicken" chunks, white beans, corn, and green chilis. It's so tasty and super hearty. This easy-to-make chili is wonderful for dinner. Toppings like cilantro, avocado, and lime add even more flavor!

Prep Time15 minutes

Stovetop Cook Time35 minutes

Slow Cooker Time2 hours

Total Time2 hours 50 minutes

Ingredients

Chili Ingredients

  • 2 cups dried soy curls
  • 4-6 cups vegetable broth
  • 3/4 cup sliced onion
  • 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans
  • 1 can (15 oz) navy beans
  • 1 can (15 oz) great norther beans
  • 1 can (15 oz) butter beans
  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • 2 cans (4 oz) green chilis
  • 2 jalepen peppers, diced
  • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 2 tablespoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon jalapeno powder (optional)
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon cayenne powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon thyme

Toppings

  • Chopped Cilantro
  • Chopped Avocado
  • Sliced Green Onions
  • Crushed red Pepper Flakes
  • Vegan Plain Unsweetened Ypgurt
  • Plant-Based Cheese Shreds
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • Lime Juice and Zest

Instructions

  1. Rehydrate the soy curls by covering them with 2 cups of hot water. Let the soy curls soak for 15 minutes
  2. Slow Cooker: Add all chili ingredients to a large-capacity slow cooker and cook for 6-8 hours on low or 2 hours on high.
  3. Stove-Top: Add all chili ingredients to a large heavy-bottomed soup pot and simmer for about 2 hours until the beans are tender.
  4. Make the chili creamier by lightly smashing some of the cooked beans in the pot.
  5. Top with chopped cilantro, sliced jalapenos, chopped avocado, sliced green onions, vegan plain unsweetened yogurt, and/or vegan cheese shreds. Add crushed red pepper flakes, hot sauce, etc. Add a squirt or two of fresh lime and some lime zest.
  6. Enjoy!
  7. This chili can be stored in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a few days or in a freezer proof container for up to a few months.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 333Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 2391mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 8gSugar: 15gProtein: 17g

Vegan White Chicken Chili Recipe (13)

XO Lisa V

Vegan White Chicken Chili Recipe (14)

Lisa Viger Gotte

Hello! I’m Lisa, a vegan artist, photographer, author, Vegan Life Coach Educator, and RYT 200 yoga teacher. I love showing others how simple and delicious a plant-based diet can be. I draw and paint, cook, write, take lots of pics, eat lots of chocolate, and practice gratitude daily.

Vegan White Chicken Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between white chili and regular chili? ›

White Chili is made with chicken instead of beef, and without a tomato base. White beans and lots of delicious spices are used instead of chili beans or pinto beans.

How can I make my white chicken chili less spicy? ›

You can also stir in dairy like yogurt, sour cream, milk (only if the dish isn't sour, or it will curdle), buttermilk, or kefir into a dish; the capsaicin will bind with the milk proteins instead of the nerve receptors in your mouth.

Why is white chicken chili considered chili? ›

It has no tomatoes and instead uses white beans and green chiles to get its color and flavor. I think the key to this being considered chili is getting the ratio of broth to beans and meat just right so that it is a bit heartier than a regular soup.

How do you thicken white chicken chili without cornstarch? ›

Usually, 1 to 2 tablespoons of cornmeal are all you will need to get a nice, thick texture. Let the chili simmer for an additional 10 minutes or so, stirring frequently until you've reached your desired thickness.

How do you thicken white chili without cornstarch? ›

Cornmeal: Add a tablespoon of cornmeal or masa harina while stirring continuously. Mashed Beans: Mash a portion of the beans and stir them into the chili to thicken it. Crushed Tortilla Chips: Crushed tortilla chips can also be added as a thickening agent.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Chili should be thick and hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but sometimes there's just a bit more liquid than you want in the pot. While you can simply keep simmering the chili, that method risks overcooking softer ingredients like the beans, losing all your nice texture to mushy monotony.

What is vegan chili made of? ›

This Vegan Chili is a moderately-spiced, tomato-y stew loaded with chunks of celery, onion, green bell pepper, and carrot. Spices like ancho chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic, and cayenne pepper add some body to the chili, while kidney beans and pinto beans give a hearty and creamy texture.

What is chili called without beans? ›

Commercial chili prepared without beans is usually called "chili no beans" in the United States.

What is a vegetarian substitute for ground beef in chili? ›

bulgur or quinoa - inexpensive and usually easy to find in the bulk bins at the grocery store, bulgur adds even more of a ground meat texture to vegan chili. Use quinoa for a gluten-free option. spices - the most important ingredients in any chili recipe!

How do you take the heat out of white chili? ›

Add a generous dollop of sour cream, creme fraiche, or yogurt to scorching hot chili or stews, or even a touch of milk or cream. For best results, though, go with full-fat dairy. For tomato sauces and stews that don't want dairy, try shredding some cheese on top.

Should you add sugar to chili? ›

The chili tastes completely different without the brown sugar so if you like a subtle sweetness in your chili then you've just got to go for it! Trust me, it will not make your chili taste like candy. It's all about balance between spicy, smoky, and sweet.

Can you add Greek yogurt to chili? ›

The best White Chicken Chili made with hearty beans, tender white meat chicken, and a rich and creamy broth. The way I make it lighter is subbing heavy cream and cheese for nonfat plain Greek Yogurt. It's a great alternative to traditional beef chili and makes for a super satisfying dinner!

Which chilli is best for taste? ›

Below are some of our favorite flavorful peppers.
  • Habanero. ...
  • Jalapeno. ...
  • Pepperoncini. ...
  • Poblano. ...
  • Scotch Bonnet. The Scotch Bonnet pepper is small in size. ...
  • Serrano. Serrano peppers are small to medium in size. ...
  • Shish*to. Shish*to peppers are small to medium in size. ...
  • Tabasco. Tabasco peppers are small in size.
May 5, 2020

Are white chillies hot? ›

The white variety also has smoky undertones. Measuring in between 100,000 to 350,000 Scoville Heat Units, the White Habanero isn't as hot as its chocolate or red counterparts, but still packs a good punch! The White Habanero starts green, then turns yellow before maturing to an ivory white.

What makes Texas chili different? ›

What primarily distinguishes Texas chili from other chili recipes you might find is a lack of beans, but it also doesn't feature any tomatoes. It is, largely, a ground beef dish that's seasoned with a spicy chili paste made of dried peppers.

Which chili is the healthiest? ›

Best: Pacific Foods Plant-Based Fire Roasted Vegetable Chili

This is because the vegetarian ingredients pack loads of fiber and still meet our minimum protein recommendations. Although this option falls a little short at 8 grams of fiber per cup, eating a full can will fill you up with 15 grams and only 360 calories.

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