Amy’s Amazing White Chicken Chili can be made on the stove or in the Instant Pot, and it’s a perfect bowl of cheesy comforting chili! And this tasty white chili has a lot of chicken and not too many beans, so it’s not a huge splurge on carbs.

PIN the White Chicken Chili to make it later!

Amy’s Amazing White Chicken Chili is a recipe I got from my sister-in-law Amy quite a few years ago. And it’s been a huge hit on the blog almost from the day I first posted it! A few years ago I decided to update Amy’s White Chicken Chili recipe with Instant Pot instructions and better photos, and it was just as delicious when we used the Instant Pot to infuse flavor into the beans and the broth.

So now there are two ways to make this delicious White Chicken Chili; take your pick and make it on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot! And Amy’s White Chicken Chili is such a favorite among my family and friends that I’m featuring it as my Friday Favorites pick for this week. 

And it’s definitely starting to feel like chili weather in Utah! I’m encouraging you to try this delicious white chicken chili recipe, no matter which cooking method you prefer. And if you try the recipe I bet your family will love it too!

What ingredients do you need?

(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe with ingredient amounts.)

Will you use the Instant Pot or stovetop for this White Chicken Chili?

It’s really not much quicker to make white chicken chili in the Instant Pot, but we did love the way pressure cooking the beans, spices, broth, and chiles on low pressure infused the broth and beans with flavor. Take your choice; it will be delicious either way you make it!

Love Your Instant Pot?

I use a 6 Quart Instant Pot for all my Instant Pot Recipes. You can use Instant Pot Recipes to see all the Instant Pot recipes on my blog.

Can you make white chicken chili with leftover chicken or turkey?

You can definitely make Amy’s amazing chili with leftover cooked chicken or turkey. Be sure to not cook the chili too long after you add the cooked chicken or turkey so it doesn’t completely shred apart into strings!

What kinds of beans can you use for White Chicken Chili?

I’d love this chicken chili made with canned pinto beans. But any kind of white bean such as navy beans will be fine, and you could even use Cannellini beans if you’re a fan of those larger beans.

How many carbs are in this white chicken chili?

This chili recipe has a lot of chicken and not so many beans, so there are about 15 net carbs per serving with 26 grams of protein.

How to make a version of White Chicken Chili that’s lower in carbs:

This recipe is relatively low in net carbs for a chili with beans, but use even fewer beans and more chicken or turkey if you want a version with lower carbs.

How to make Amy’s Amazing White Chicken Chili:

(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

1. Heat oil in in the Instant Pot on SAUTE, MEDIUM, then cook onions about 3-4 minutes.
2. Add garlic and cook about 1 minute more, then add ground cumin, oregano, ground cayenne pepper, and diced green chiles and cook a couple minutes more.
3. Add chicken stock, 2 cans white beans, and chicken flavor base (if using).
4. Lock lid on Instant Pot and set to MANUAL, LOW PRESSURE for 20 minutes.
5. Then NATURAL RELEASE for 5 minutes and release the rest of the pressure with quick release.
6. While bean/broth mixture cooks, trim fat and undesirable parts from chicken breasts and cut into 2 or 3 lengthwise strips.
7. Heat oil in a heavy non-stick pan, add chicken and cook until the chicken is cooked through and starting to brown.
8. Remove from pan and let cool, then shred chicken apart into chunks.
9. After pressure has released, add shredded chicken and cook using SAUTE, LOW for 10-15 minutes more.
10. Chop cilantro (if using) while the chili simmers.
11. After 10-15 minutes, taste chili to see if you want to add salt or pepper or Green Tabasco Sauce.
12. Stir in chopped cilantro and serve hot, with grated cheese to add at the table if desired.
13. And as you can tell, I love the White Chicken Chili with a generous amount of melted cheese on top.

Want Chili Recipes without Beans?

If you’d prefer chili made without beans, check out my collection of Amazing Low-Carb and Keto Chili Recipes.

Weekend Food Prep:

This White Chicken Chili recipe has been added to a category called Weekend Food Prep where you’ll find recipes you can prep or cook on the weekend and eat during the week!

Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
Amy’s White Chicken Chili is a great main dish for any low-glycemic eating plan, including any phase of the original South Beach Diet. I’m not tagging the recipe low-carb, but this chili is relatively low in net carbs for a chili recipe with beans. For for stricter low-carb diets you can use even fewer beans and more chicken or turkey for a version that’s even lower in carbs.

Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Chili Recipes to find more recipes like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.

Historical Notes for this Recipe:
My sister-in-law Amy Denny first gave me this recipe in 2010! The white chicken chili recipe was updated with better photos and an option to make it in the Instant Pot in 2017 and it was last updated with more information in 2025.

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These delicious and hearty lentil tacos can be made in a pressure cooker or on the stovetop. They are so easy to make, and the warm, smoky flavors are amazing!

Have you had lentil tacos before? You won’t even miss the meat. They are so flavorful and so good!

How to Make Lentils for Tacos

The easiest way to make the filling for these lentil tacos is in a pressure cooker!

Using this cooking method is hands off and so much faster than cooking on the stovetop (although I do have instructions for that, if you need!).

1. Combine brown or green lentils, broth and simple pantry seasonings in a pressure cooker.
2. Secure the lid and valve and cook for 12 minutes.
3. Let the pressure naturally release 10 minutes before releasing the remaining pressure.
4. Stir in salsa for a boost of fresh, yummy flavor.

For the stovetop, combine the lentils, broth and seasonings in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for 40 to 45 minutes until the lentils are tender. Stir in the salsa.

A Few Bonus Tips for Success

I have a few things to say. I think you should listen. (If you’ve identified a “mom voice” you are really dialed in – these two sentences are repeated often at my house – I’m not entirely sure how often the listening part happens but it doesn’t stop me from saying what I have to say. )

First, make sure to choose a brand (or homemade recipe) of broth and salsa that has great flavor. Both will have a significant impact on the overall flavor of the lentils.

Second, if you are unsure what kind of lentils to use, brown or green lentils will work best in this recipe. Red or yellow lentils break down quite a bit more and may have a mushy consistency in this recipe.

Third, make sure to season the lentil mixture with additional salt and pepper before serving, if needed!

Serving Suggestions

The flavorful lentils can be served in hard or soft tortilla shells with taco toppings of your choice and they work beautifully in taco salad, as well.

I often eat the leftover lentil mixture alongside eggs with a sprinkle of cheese for breakfast or lunch. A terrific combo!

If you are looking for meatless meal inspiration, these lentil tacos should be at the top of your list! They are so simple and fast to make, and they provide a wonderfully nutritious and hearty meal.

I promise, you won’t even miss the meat. However, if you are currently learning to embrace meatless meals (or training your family to do so ), these lentils can be combined with ground beef or cooked chicken for an extremely yummy compromise.

One Year Ago: Creamy Beef and Tomato Noodle Soup
Two Years Ago: Crazy Good Kale and Wild Rice Salad 
Three Years Ago: Peanut Butter Banana Bread
Four Years Ago: Banana Cream Cheese Coffee Cake with Chocolate Chip Streusel
Five Years Ago: Chicken and Vegetable Dumpling Soup 
Six Years Ago: Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken + Veggies Dinner {30-Minute Meal}
Seven Years Ago: Yum Yum Bowls with Knockoff Cafe Yumm Sauce
Eight Years Ago: German Pancake {Whole Grain Option} with Butter Syrup
Nine Years Ago: Amazing Romaine Salad with Light Poppy Seed Vinaigrette 
Ten Years Ago: Roasted Maple-Glazed Pork Tenderloin 

Instant Pot Lentil Tacos

Yield: 12 to 15 tacos

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 12 minutes mins

Pressure Release:: 10 minutes mins

• 1 ½ cups (300 g) dried brown or green lentils, rinsed and drained
• 3 ½ cups chicken or vegetable broth (see note)
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon coarsely, ground black pepper
• 1 cup red or green salsa (preferably thick and chunky vs thin and watery)
• 12 to 15 soft or crunchy taco shells
• Taco toppings of choice

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

• In a 6-quart electric pressure cooker, combine the lentils, broth, chili powder, cumin, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and pepper.

• Secure the lid and valve and cook on high for 12 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes before releasing remaining pressure.

• Drain off any excess liquid, if desired. Stir in salsa and season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if needed (this is important for flavor!).

• Optional: lightly mash the lentils, if desired.

• The lentil mixture will thicken a bit if left to sit/keep warm in the pressure cooker.

• Serve the lentils warm in taco shells with your choice of toppings.

Stovetop Variation: bring the lentils, broth and seasonings to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Cover, reduce the temperature to medium-low, and cook for 40 to 45 minutes until the lentils are tender. Stir in the salsa, season with additional salt and pepper, if needed, and mash the lentils, if desired. 
Broth: each brand/variety of broth will have a distinctive flavor, so make sure to use a broth that you already know you like the flavor of, as it will impact the overall flavor of the lentils. 
Salsa: see above note for broth. Same applies for the salsa. Use one you love! It is preferable to use a thick and chunky variety here so there isn’t excess liquid in the lentil mixture. 
Refrigerate or Freeze: the cooked lentils keep well in a covered container in the fridge for several days (the flavor gets even better!). They can also be frozen to thaw, reheat and serve later.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Serving: 1 taco (lentils only), Calories: 98kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 0.4g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 246mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 2g

Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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A collection of healthy dinner recipes that actually taste amazing – flavorful, satisfying meals you’ll genuinely be excited to cook and eat!

Eating well shouldn’t feel hard, and it definitely shouldn’t mean not being excited about dinner. These healthy dinner recipes are proof that food can be both nourishing and genuinely delicious! Think bold sauces, cozy bowls, bright flavors, and meals that leave you feeling good and happy. The kind of dinners you actually look forward to making, not ones you force yourself through because you “should.”

This list is full of go-to recipes that prioritize flavor first, while still being balanced and feel-good. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight, feeding a family, or just trying to get out of a dinner rut, these are healthy recipes that you’ll be excited to cook, happy to eat, and ready to make again and again.

Want more dinner ideas? Here are the quickest and easiest around!

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Healthy Dinner Recipes

Roasted Sweet Potato Stacks with Chipotle Sauce

Roasted sweet potatoes topped with creamy chipotle sauce, spicy ground chicken, avocado, cilantro, and pickled onion. My family loves them!

Carrot Soup with Spiced Ground Beef and Pine Nuts

Silky carrot soup topped with spiced ground beef and toasty pine nuts! Bright, savory, warming, all the best things!

Crispy Buffalo Tofu with Caesar Salad

This Buffalo Tofu is SO EASY! A two-ingredient sauce tossed with air-fried crispy tofu, laid on top of a kale caesar salad.

Roasted Veggie Grain Bowl with Balsamic Dressing

The BEST Grain Bowl! Roasted root vegetables, earthy grains, dried fruit, dark leafy greens, buttery goat cheese, and lusciously creamy balsamic dressing.

Crockpot Chicken Bowls with Yellow Rice and Cilantro Pesto

Saucy shredded chicken, yellow rice, pickled onions, greens, and cilantro pesto on top. It’s a flavor and color delight!

Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas with Tzatziki

Part bowl, part salad, part sandwich folded up into any kind of bread you like, and I’m here for it in every form.

Lemon Rosemary Chicken Soup

Lemon Rosemary Chicken Soup with loads of veggies like carrots and kale, beans, chicken, and a lemon rosemary broth. So cozy.

Couscous Salad with Lime Basil Vinaigrette

A bright, zippy, unexpectedly delicious couscous salad that’s packed with sweet potatoes, black beans, spinach, feta, and more – all tossed with a life-changing lime basil vinaigrette!

Ridiculously Good Air Fryer Salmon

My go-to salmon recipe that’s perfect every time! Crisped and golden on the outside, buttery and juicy on the inside, and made in 15 minutes start to finish.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Lime Drench

These lettuce wraps are a SUMMER DREAM. Mountains of crumbled-crisp ground chicken, fluffy quinoa, and/or rice for added satisfaction, and garlicky gingery sautéed veggies in crisp butter lettuce leaves.

The Best Detox Crockpot Lentil Soup

Detox Crockpot Lentil Soup – a clean and simple soup made with onions, garlic, carrots, olive oil, squash, and LENTILS! Super healthy and easy to make.

Sheet Pan Meatballs with Tomato Salad and Green Sauce

Juicy little sheet pan meatballs that are salty, zesty, briney, and so so delicious. Pile them on tzatziki, spoon some punchy green sauce over top, and serve with a simple salad and crusty bread.

Banza Chicken Bowls with Calabrian Chili Sauce

This bowl has it all! The crunch of the tomato cucumber salad, the thin slips of bitey red onion, the golden crisped air fryer chicken cut into tender little strips, a big pile of perfectly chewy Banza, and a dollop of tangy calabrian chile sauce on top.

Roasted Peanut Kale Crunch Salad

OOOH BABY, this salad is so good! Crunchy kale and cabbage, fresh herbs and fresno peppers, chopped peanuts, and a perfect roasted peanut vinaigrette that tucks into all the salad nooks and crannies.

Salmon with Basil Sauce and Tomato Salad

We’re making a summery salmon with a beautiful, big-flavored basil sauce that is so good, you’re going to want to just drink it. Perfectly-spiced, fresh, and a dinner for everyone!

Avocado Mojo Bowls with Sweet Potato and Chicken

We are living our best bowl life this week. Seasoned sweet potato wedges and chicken meatballs or rotisserie chicken all piled onto a plate with a little puddle of punchy green avocado mojo sauce. Yes, wow, repeat.

Sheet Pan Jambalaya

Sheet Pan Jambalaya: maximum flavor, minimal dishes. Sausage, peppers, onions, shrimp, and cauliflower rice all roasted up on a sheet pan. Big flavor, easy dinner!

Roasted Cauliflower Hummus Bowls

These Roasted Cauliflower Hummus Bowls are LIFE-CHANGING. A bed of garlicky creamy hummus, piled high with spiced roasted cauliflower, and a speckling of fresh lemony tomatoes and herbs.

Lemongrass Vermicelli Salad

Lemongrass Vermicelli Salad – a summer showstopper! A twirl of vermicelli noodles, pan-fried tofu, fresh herbs and veggies, and a lime-and-lemongrass-based sauce that just slips all over the plate.

Chopped Thai-Inspired Chicken Salad

This simple chopped Thai chicken salad has BIG flavors – peanut, lime, soy, chili, cilantro. Topped with a homemade peanut dressing! Healthy and fresh.

Chipotle Tahini Bowls

Healthy and versatile bowls that come together under a generous drizzle of addictingly creamy vegan chipotle tahini sauce.

Chicken Teriyaki Burgers with Sesame Slaw

These Chicken Teriyaki Burgers are amazingly simple while also being ridiculously delicious. Caramelized burgers that are fried up in minutes, a pile of sesame slaw on top, and a perfectly toasted bun. YUM.

The Oliver’s Salad

We’re bringing you the most beautiful salad inspired by the restaurant Oliver’s in Minnesota. Tender salmon, savory peppers and garlic confit, buttery chunks of avocado, fire-roasted corn, bacon bits, and a river of homemade smoky ranch dressing.

Healing Chicken and Rice Soup

Healing Chicken and Rice Soup that is limey, salty, and so fresh! Garlic-ginger-infused broth, shredded chicken thighs, tender jasmine rice, fresh herbs, and peanuts. YUM.

Cilantro Lime Chicken and Lentil Rice Bowls

15 Minute Meal Prep Cilantro Lime Chicken and Lentils! The BEST easy protein powerhouse meal prep. Just 15 mins of prep and totally hands-off cooking!

Roasted Vegetable Bowls with Green Tahini

Roasted Vegetable Bowls! Crispy tender roasted veggies, buttery avocado, all together in a bowl with a drizzle of green tahini sauce.

Smoky Red Lentil Soup with Spinach

This Smoky Lentil Soup is ultra creamy and totally vegan! Packed to the brim with veggies, red lentils, coconut milk, and lots of spices, it’s a total win for the coziest months of the year!

Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad

This Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad features red peppers, cabbage, chicken, soba noodles, and a quick homemade spicy peanut sauce. Salads don’t get much yummier than this.

Steph’s Chickpea Curry with Spinach and Rice

Amazingly creamy, saucy chickpea curry served over rice with a dollop of chili crisp and a side of cucumber salad. Ready in 20 minutes!

Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato + Kale

Okay, YUMMMM. Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potatoes + Kale! Comforting and SUPER nutritious. Naturally vegan, gluten free, refined sugar free, ALL THE GOOD THINGS.

Yummy Salmon Burgers with Slaw

These salmon burgers are THE YUMMIEST! and made with just five ingredients. The best for a quick + easy high protein lunch or dinner.

Avocado Kale Caesar Salad + Sweet Potato Fries

Avocado Kale Caesar Salad is a life-changer! Kale, avocado, and crunchy seeds drenched in a quick creamy avocado caesar dressing that can easily be made vegan, too. Toss some crispy sweet potato fries in are you are SET FOR LIFE.

Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce! A mix of quinoa, cucumbers or kale or spinach, feta cheese, kalamata olives, and pepperoncini!

Golden Soup

Cozy, bright, and healing with power-foods like turmeric, cauliflower, and cashews. Topped with crispy chickpeas. Super creamy and SO GOOD.

Tofu and Brown Rice Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce

These lettuce wraps are ridiculously good! Crunchy, fresh, and packed with tofu, brown rice, crispy onions, plus a drizzle of peanut sauce and spicy mayo. Delicious!

Crunchy Roll Bowls

A block of tofu, nicely browned in teriyaki sauce, served on a bed of sticky rice with edamame, cucumber, avocado, jalapeño, and a handful of crushed-up crunchy onions, buried under a thick drizzle of extra teriyaki and spicy mayo. 

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Healthy Dinner Sides

One of my favorite go-to healthy dinner formulas is air fryer chicken or salmon served along a few sides. It’s simple, easy, light, and feels like a win all around. Here are my go-to sides to pair with dinner!

• My Favorite Skillet: These healthy nonstick ceramic skillets are PFAS-free, made in the USA, and super versatile! Love them so much.
• Air Fryer: My original dinnertime lifesaver is the Air Fryer Chicken, and there are several recipes above that use the air fryer as well! It cooks food quickly, makes it super crispy, and is easy to clean.
• Instant Pot: I love to use an Instant Pot for healthy soups, but is also my go-to appliance for making perfect rice!
• My Favorite Sheet Pans: Simple, affordable, and perfect for loading up proteins and veggies to roast!

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