Description
This Creamy Sweet Corn & Pepper Jack Chili is a comforting, flavorful dish perfect for cozy nights. Slow-cooked to meld savory spices, tender shredded chicken, sweet corn, and creamy cheeses, it offers a perfect balance of warmth, spice, and creaminess in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles
Protein and Vegetables
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans
- 1.5 cups frozen sweet corn
Liquids and Dairy
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- 0.5 cup sour cream
- 0.5 lime juice (about half a lime)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the base: In your Crockpot, toss together the diced onion, minced garlic, ground cumin, dried oregano, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to blend all the spices and aromatics evenly.
- Add main ingredients: Gently fold in the canned diced green chiles, shredded chicken, white beans, sweet corn, and chicken broth. Ensure everything is well combined to form a harmonious chili base.
- Slow cook: Cover the Crockpot and set it to low heat. Let it cook undisturbed for 4 to 6 hours, allowing flavors to meld deeply and ingredients to become tender.
- Incorporate cream cheese: After cooking, drop in the softened cream cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese melts completely, creating a luxuriously creamy texture, about 5 minutes.
- Finish with cheese and sour cream: Mix in the shredded pepper jack cheese, sour cream, and lime juice. Stir thoroughly until the cheese melts evenly and all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Serve and garnish: Scoop the chili into bowls and, if desired, top with fresh cilantro or your favorite toppings. Enjoy this creamy, comforting chili warm.
Notes
- You can substitute red onion for yellow onion for a slightly different flavor profile.
- If fresh corn is available, it can be used instead of frozen.
- For more heat, substitute diced green chiles with jalapeños.
- Vegetarian option: use vegetable broth and omit chicken or substitute with plant-based protein.
- Neufchâtel cheese can be used as a lower-fat alternative to cream cheese.
- Greek yogurt can replace sour cream for a healthier twist.
