Soul-Warming Cajun White Chicken Chili for Cozy Nights Recipe

Introduction

This Soul-Warming Cajun White Chicken Chili is perfect for cozy nights when you want a hearty and flavorful meal. Packed with tender chicken, spicy sausage, and fresh shrimp, it brings a delightful blend of Cajun spices and creamy texture to your table.

A close-up of a creamy soup in a round bowl with an orange-beige broth. The soup has several pieces of pink-orange shrimp with black seasoning, slices of reddish-brown sausage, and bits of green bell pepper and herbs scattered throughout. In the center, there is a dollop of white sour cream or yogurt topped with chopped green herbs and black pepper. The bowl is set against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken breast (cubed)
  • 8 ounces andouille sausage (sliced)
  • 1 pound raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
  • 1 large onion (diced)
  • 2 stalks celery (chopped)
  • 1 large green bell pepper (diced)
  • 1 medium jalapeño (diced, optional for heat)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 can great northern beans (drained)
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for sautéing)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breast and sliced andouille sausage. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and the chicken is cooked through.
  2. Step 2: Add the diced onion, chopped celery, and green bell pepper to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
  3. Step 3: Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne. Cook for 1-2 minutes to release the spices’ flavors.
  4. Step 4: Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and mix well to coat the ingredients.
  5. Step 5: Gradually pour in 4 cups of chicken broth while scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze. Add the drained great northern beans and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Gently fold in the raw shrimp and ½ cup heavy cream. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and are fully cooked.
  7. Step 7: Ladle the chili into bowls and serve hot. Garnish with sour cream, shredded cheese, or fresh cilantro if desired.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra heat, keep the jalapeño seeds or add more cayenne pepper to taste.
  • Substitute andouille sausage with smoked sausage if preferred.
  • Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.
  • Serve with crusty bread or over rice for a more filling meal.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. You can also freeze the chili for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

A close-up of a creamy soup in a white bowl, with layers including large pink shrimp with a slightly charred texture, dark brown slices of sausage, and small green leaves of herbs scattered on top. The soup itself is a light orange color with visible bits of spices and small pieces of vegetables like green peppers and onions. In the center is a dollop of white sour cream sprinkled with black pepper and fresh chopped herbs. The background is a white marbled texture, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this chili spicy or mild?

Yes, you can adjust the heat by adding or omitting the jalapeño and varying the amount of cayenne pepper and chili powder to suit your taste.

Can I use frozen shrimp instead of fresh?

Absolutely. Just thaw the frozen shrimp completely before adding it to the chili and be careful not to overcook when simmering in the last step.

Print

Soul-Warming Cajun White Chicken Chili for Cozy Nights Recipe

This Soul-Warming Cajun White Chicken Chili combines tender chicken breast, smoky andouille sausage, and succulent shrimp simmered with vegetables, spices, and creamy broth for a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for cozy nights.

  • Author: lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Soup, Chili
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Cajun, Southern American

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 pound chicken breast (cubed)
  • 8 ounces andouille sausage (sliced)
  • 1 pound raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 large onion (diced)
  • 2 stalks celery (chopped)
  • 1 large green bell pepper (diced)
  • 1 medium jalapeño (diced, optional for heat)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)

Pantry & Spices

  • 1 can great northern beans (drained)
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for sautéing)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Brown the meats: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breast and sliced andouille sausage, cooking for 5-7 minutes or until they are nicely browned and the chicken is cooked through.
  2. Sauté the vegetables: Incorporate the diced onion, chopped celery, and green bell pepper into the pot and sauté for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables soften.
  3. Add spices and garlic: Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper, cooking for 1-2 minutes to release their aromas. Then sprinkle in the 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, stirring to incorporate.
  4. Add broth and beans: Gradually pour in the 4 cups of chicken broth while scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze and lift all the flavorful browned bits. Stir in the drained great northern beans and continue cooking uncovered for about 10 minutes to thicken the chili.
  5. Simmer with shrimp and cream: Gently fold in the raw shrimp and ½ cup of heavy cream, then simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until the shrimp are cooked through and the chili has a creamy consistency.
  6. Serve: Ladle the chili into bowls and serve hot. Optionally garnish with sour cream, shredded cheese, or fresh cilantro to add extra richness and freshness.

Notes

  • Adjust cayenne and jalapeño quantities based on your preferred spice level.
  • Using andouille sausage adds a smoky Cajun flavor, but you can substitute with smoked sausage if unavailable.
  • Drain the beans well to avoid excess liquid thinning the chili.
  • For a thicker chili, cook uncovered longer to reduce the liquid.
  • Serve with warm crusty bread or over rice for a hearty meal.

Keywords: Cajun chili, white chicken chili, andouille sausage chili, shrimp chili, creamy chili, comforting soup

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