The aroma of sautéed onions and garlic filling the kitchen instantly makes this creamy White Bean and Chicken Soup feel like home. There’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of soup on a cool evening — especially when it’s hearty, healthy, and ready in under an hour.

This recipe is a play on white chicken chili, but with a soupier consistency that my family prefers while still feeling rich and satisfying- excellent for dipping crusty bread into. It’s creamy (without being heavy), loaded with lean protein (33g per serving, plus 5g of fiber), and packed with flavor from roasted green chilis, garlic, and warming spices — then brightened with a squeeze of fresh lime at the end.

Whether you’re meal prepping for the week, cooking for your crew, or just craving something cozy, this simple soup checks all the boxes for an easy, nourishing dinner you’ll come back to again and again.

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🥣 Why You’ll Love This White Bean Chicken Soup

• Protein-packed: Between the chicken and white beans, this soup is full of staying power.
• Creamy: A bit of sour cream adds richness, but the base stays light and wholesome.
• Family-friendly: Mild enough for kids, with the option to add extra heat for spice lovers.
• One-pot meal: Less cleanup = more time to enjoy your evening.

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🌿 Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this cozy bowl of goodness:

• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 ½ cups diced onion
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chilis
• 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15-ounce) can northern white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 ½ pounds chicken breast
• 1 ½ teaspoons oregano
• 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little kick)
• ¾ cup sour cream
• 2 quarts chicken broth
• 1 lime

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👩‍🍳 How to Make White Bean and Chicken Soup

Step 1: Sauté the aromatics
In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 2: Add the flavor base
Stir in the green chilis, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and cayenne. Let everything cook together for a minute to bloom the spices.

Step 3: Build the soup
Pour in 1 qt of chicken broth and the cannellini beans. Use the immersion blender to puree the soup base. Pureeing the cannellini beans with some of the broth creates a velvety base that makes the soup taste creamy even before adding sour cream.

Add the chicken breasts and remaining 1 qt of broth. Bring the soup to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Step 4: Shred and stir
Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, then return it to the pot. Add in the Great Northern Beans (keep these whole) and stir in the sour cream until the soup turns creamy and slightly thickened.

Step 5: Brighten it up
Turn off the heat and squeeze in the juice of 1 fresh lime. Give it a good stir, then taste and adjust — you might want another pinch of salt or a bit more lime for brightness.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy
Ladle into bowls and serve warm. Garnish with extra lime wedges, chopped cilantro, or even a sprinkle of shredded cheese if you like. A sprinkle of sharp cheddar or a few crushed tortilla chips on top adds the perfect crunch.

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🍞 What to Serve With White Bean Chicken Soup

This soup is delicious on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, try pairing it with:

• A side of crusty bread or cornbread for dipping
• A crisp green salad with avocado and lime vinaigrette
• Tortilla chips for a little crunch

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🥄 Storage & Reheating

This soup keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days and freezes beautifully. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if it thickens up too much.

🔧 Optional Tweaks (for even more flavor)

• Add ½ teaspoon ground coriander or a pinch of smoked paprika for a subtle, deeper flavor.
• Stir in a small handful of fresh cilantro or chopped green onions before serving for a burst of freshness.
• If you prefer a thicker, chili-like consistency, reduce the broth slightly (to about 1.5 quarts).

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❤️ The Perfect Comfort Soup

When you need a quick, healthy dinner that feels like a hug in a bowl, this White Bean and Chicken Soup is it. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you look forward to leftovers — and that’s saying something!

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