This recipe began with an accident when I once added way too much rice to my White Chicken Chili soup. It turned into a thick, hearty stew that we could almost eat with either a fork or a spoon and my kids loved it. So I reworked the recipe a bit to create this Green Chicken Chili Stew, which is kind of in between a soup and a stew and a casserole! The starch in the rice naturally thickens the dish It’s like a plate of comforting rice and beans, topped with chicken and warm spices with a flavorful sauce, all stirred into one pot. It’s easy, comforting, and so flavorful. Bonus: the leftovers are super delicious as well! My kids have requested this almost weekly for the past couple months or so, which is always a good sign, too.
Ingredients Needed
- Butter
- Onion
- Garlic
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs – I specifically love thighs here because they add a huge amount of flavor and richness to the overall dish.
- Spices: cumin, coriander, oregano, salt and pepper
- Canned green chilis
- Canned white beans – such as Great Northern or Canelini
- Chicken Broth
- Rice
How to Make Green Chili Chicken Stew
This is simply a brief overview of the recipe so you can get an idea of the process, keep scrolling for the full printable recipe!
- Begin by sautéing diced onion and garlic in a large stock pot and then add some of the seasonings.
- Add boneless skinless chicken thighs to brown on both sides and the rest of the seasonings.
- Add canned green chilis and canned beans, along with some chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- Finally, add dry white rice.
- Continue to simmer this mixture until the rice is cooked and the stew is thickened.
- Remove the chicken to shred and then add back in.
- Serve as a one-pot wonder with a dollop of a sour cream (and a sprinkle of cilantro if you like it).
Storage and Other Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container, refrigerated, for as long as you like to eat leftovers 🙂
- You can freeze in individual portions or family style. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the microwave for a quick meal. This will thicken upon standing, more to a casserole consistency, so just add a little broth or water to loosen it up.
- This dish will most likely thicken after storing or sitting. Simply add a little more broth or water to loosen it up a bit.
- You can add 2 cans of beans if you’d like to bulk it up a little.
Frequently Asked Questions
It shouldn’t be! Green chilis are mild and provide flavor, as opposed to heat. That being said, every once and a while I get a can that packs just a slight punch.
Yes! You can freeze in individual portions or family style. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the microwave for a quick meal. This will thicken upon standing, more to a casserole consistency, so just add a little broth or water to loosen it up. I love freezing in these SouperCubes for perfectly portioned individual servings.
I prefer thighs in this recipe because they add so much body and flavor to the soup, but if you prefer you could try boneless skinless breasts, tenderloins, or even toss in some cooked rotisserie chicken (though you’ll get more flavor when the chicken cooks in the pot). If using chicken breasts or larger bone-in breasts just make sure to cook until the internal temperature in the thickest part reaches 165°.
I’ve subbed black beans before and it’s delicious!
Green Chili Chicken Stew
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ – 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs about 4-6 thighs
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 15 oz can white beans, drained and rinsed like Great Northern or Cannellini
- 7 oz can green chilis
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups white rice, uncooked do not rince rice
- optional for serving: Sour cream and fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Use a pair of kitchen shears to trim excess fat off of chicken thighs. Note that you do not need to trim off ALL fat, just excess! Pat chicken dry with paper towels and set aside.
- Combine cumin, oregano, coriander, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Heat a large dutch oven or heavy bottomed stock pot to medium-low heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter to melt and add onion, saute for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.
- Add the 4 cloves minced garlic to the pan and saute for about 30 seconds.
- Add the 1 tablespoon olive oil and about half the mixed spices (just eyeball!) and lightly stir make sure the bottom of the pan is coated with oil so your chicken doesn't stick.
- Take each piece of chicken and use tongs (or clean hands) to gently nestle into the pan in a single layer. Sprinkle the remaining spices evenly on top of the chicken. Let cook without disturbing for about 5-6 minutes until lightly browned, then flip each piece and saute for about 5 minutes more. As you flip, stir the onions a bit on the bottom of the pan so they don't overcook.
- Add the beans, chilis (do not drain, add all the juices from the can), and broth to the pan. Stir, and scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a low simmer and cover, cooking for 10 minutes.
- Add rice and simmer uncovered, for about 20 minutes longer, until rice is cooked through and the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 185° (higher than that is fine!)
- Remove chicken while pot keeps simmering on low and place onto a cutting board and shred. Return shredded chicken to pan and stir to combine. If stew isn't quiet as thick as you'd like, just simmer for a few extra minutes. If it's too thick, add a bit more broth or water.
- Serve in bowls and top with a dollop of sour cream and a little fresh cilantro if you like. This recipe makes 9-10 cups total. It's usually perfect for my family of 5 for a one-dish dinner.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container, refrigerated, for as long as you like to eat leftovers 🙂
- You can freeze in individual portions or family style. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the microwave for a quick meal. Add extra liquid if it’s too thick after freezing or storing.
- You can add 2 cans of beans if you’d like to bulk it up a little.
Questions & Reviews
Made this tonight, it was delicious! I love the white chicken chili and this was equally as good. Only thing I did differently was use some precooked chicken since I had it already. Great for a cold,snowy light – the family loved it!
So glad to hear it was good with the precooked chicken! Thanks so much for the review!