Cajun White Chicken Chili is a cozy, creamy twist on the classic white chicken chili, infused with bold Cajun flavors! The chicken is seasoned Cajun-style and seared alongside smoked poultry sausage. Then onion, celery, bell pepper, and jalapeño sauté until tender. The broth blends chicken stock and salsa verde, while sour cream and grated Parmesan bring luscious creaminess. White beans add hearty texture, and lime, cilantro, and green onion finish it off with bright freshness.
Why You’ll Love This Chili
Flavor-Packed Fusion: Combines Cajun spices with creamy chili comfort.
Hearty & Filling: Loaded with chicken, beans, and sausage.
Customizable Heat: Control the spice with jalapeño or toppings.
One-Pot Simplicity: Easy cleanup and full flavor.
Time Needed
Prep Time: 15 minutes · Cook Time: 45 minutes · Total Time: 1 hour · Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 tbsp oil
1 lb smoked poultry sausage, sliced
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 tsp Cajun seasoning
1 tbsp butter
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced celery
1 cup diced bell pepper
1 finely diced jalapeño (adjust or omit)
4 chopped garlic cloves
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
4 cups chicken broth
2 (14.5 oz) cans white beans, rinsed and drained
½ cup salsa verde
½ cup sour cream (or crema/heavy cream/4 oz cream cheese)
¼ cup grated Parmesan
1 tbsp lime juice (optional)
2 tbsp chopped cilantro or parsley (optional)
2 green onions, sliced (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
How to Make It
1️⃣ Brown Sausage: Heat oil over medium, cook sausage until golden (5–7 minutes), then set aside.
2️⃣ Sear Chicken: Season chicken with Cajun spice, cook until lightly browned (5–7 minutes), then set aside.
3️⃣ Sauté Veggies: Melt butter, sauté onion, celery, bell pepper, and jalapeño until tender (7–10 minutes).
4️⃣ Add Spices: Stir in garlic, cumin, and Cajun seasoning; cook 1 minute until fragrant.
5️⃣ Simmer: Add broth, beans, salsa verde, chicken, and sausage. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer 15 minutes.
6️⃣ Shred Chicken: Remove chicken, shred or slice, and return to pot.
7️⃣ Make It Creamy: Stir in sour cream and Parmesan until melted.
8️⃣ Finish & Season: Add lime juice, cilantro, green onions, and season with salt and pepper.
Slow Cooker Option
After step 4, add ingredients up to salsa verde into a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6–10 hours (or high for 2–4 hours). Proceed with steps 6–8 afterward.
Variations
- Swap jalapeño for serrano, poblano, canned green chilies, or omit.
- Stir in 1 cup corn at the end.
- Top with shredded cheese, avocado, cilantro, onions, extra jalapeño, or hot sauce.
Nutrition Info (per serving)
Calories 584 · Fat 36g (Saturated 13g) · Cholesterol 123mg · Sodium 1190mg · Carbs 45g (Fiber 8g, Sugars 6g) · Protein 43g
Final Thoughts
Cajun White Chicken Chili hits the spot with its creamy, zesty base and hearty mix of chicken, beans, and smoky sausage. It’s easy to make, customizable, and perfect for cozy dinners or gatherings. Just one spoonful and you’ll want to make it again—and again!
Print
Cajun White Chicken Chili
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Cajun White Chicken Chili is a cozy, creamy twist on the classic white chicken chili, infused with bold Cajun flavors! The chicken is seasoned Cajun-style and seared alongside smoked poultry sausage. Then onion, celery, bell pepper, and jalapeño sauté until tender. The broth blends chicken stock and salsa verde, while sour cream and grated Parmesan bring luscious creaminess. White beans add hearty texture, and lime, cilantro, and green onion finish it off with bright freshness.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 lb smoked poultry sausage, sliced
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced bell pepper
- 1 finely diced jalapeño (adjust or omit)
- 4 chopped garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans white beans, rinsed and drained
- ½ cup salsa verde
- ½ cup sour cream (or crema/heavy cream/4 oz cream cheese)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tbsp lime juice (optional)
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro or parsley (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil over medium, cook sausage until golden (5–7 minutes), then set aside.
- Season chicken with Cajun spice, cook until lightly browned (5–7 minutes), then set aside.
- Melt butter, sauté onion, celery, bell pepper, and jalapeño until tender (7–10 minutes).
- Stir in garlic, cumin, and Cajun seasoning; cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add broth, beans, salsa verde, chicken, and sausage. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes.
- Remove chicken, shred or slice, and return to pot.
- Stir in sour cream and Parmesan until melted.
- Add lime juice, cilantro, green onions, and season with salt and pepper.
Notes
For a slow cooker version, complete up to step 4, then transfer to slow cooker with all ingredients through salsa verde. Cook on low 6–10 hours or high 2–4 hours. Stir in dairy and finish as directed. Top with cheese, avocado, or hot sauce if desired. Add corn for extra sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 584
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1190mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 43g
- Cholesterol: 123mg
Keywords: Cajun White Chicken Chili, creamy chili, chicken and sausage soup, one-pot dinner