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A close-up of a bowl of creamy Mexican street corn chowder with chicken, topped with cotija cheese, cilantro, and microgreens.

Street Corn White Chicken Chili

This vibrant Street Corn White Chicken Chili combines the creamy, savory comfort of classic white chicken chili with the smoky, tangy flavors of Mexican street corn. It's a flavorful and satisfying meal perfect for any night.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 510

Ingredients
  

For the White Chicken Chili
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1.5 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 can Diced Green Chilies 4 oz, undrained
  • 4 cups Chicken Broth low sodium
  • 2 cans Great Northern or Cannellini Beans 15 oz each, rinsed and drained
  • 1 tbsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1 tsp Chili Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper or to taste, optional
  • 4 oz Cream Cheese softened, cut into cubes
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Lime Juice
  • to taste Salt and Black Pepper
For the Roasted Street Corn
  • 3 cups Frozen Sweet Corn or kernels from 3-4 fresh cobs
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
  • Pinch Cayenne Pepper optional
For Garnish
  • 1/2 cup Cotija Cheese crumbled
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro chopped
  • 4 wedges Lime
  • optional Sour Cream or Mexican Crema

Equipment

  • Large Pot or Dutch Oven
  • Large Skillet or Air Fryer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Cutting Board and Knife

Method
 

Prepare the Chili Base
  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, just to lightly brown them. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
  2. Add the chopped yellow onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the undrained diced green chilies, chicken broth, rinsed and drained white beans, ground cumin, dried oregano, chili powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  4. Return the browned chicken breasts to the pot. Ensure they are submerged in the liquid. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and easily shredded.
  5. Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in the cubed cream cheese until fully melted and smooth. Stir in the fresh lime juice. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Prepare the Street Corn
  1. While the chili simmers, prepare the street corn. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the frozen corn kernels (no need to thaw) and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, until the corn is slightly charred and tender. If using an air fryer, toss corn with oil, chili powder, and cayenne, then air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking basket halfway through, until charred.
  2. Once charred, remove corn from heat and toss with 1/2 tsp chili powder and a pinch of cayenne (if using).
Combine and Serve
  1. Stir the roasted street corn into the finished white chicken chili.
  2. Ladle the Street Corn White Chicken Chili into bowls. Garnish generously with crumbled Cotija cheese, fresh chopped cilantro, and a lime wedge. An optional drizzle of sour cream or Mexican crema adds extra creaminess.

Notes

For an extra kick, you can add a finely diced jalapeño or serrano pepper along with the onion. This chili thickens as it cools; you may need to add a splash of broth when reheating. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.