Vegan White Bean Chili
Warm up with this simple Vegan White Bean Chili recipe. With plant-based chicken, creamy beans, and a few easy ingredients, it’s a cozy meal!
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If you’re on the hunt for an easy, comforting meal that’s perfect for chilly nights, you’re in for a treat! This Vegan White Bean Chili is a weeknight hero with just a handful of ingredients, making it a perfect cozy, hearty dish.
Watch How to Make This Chili
Sit me down with a bowl of chili any day, and I’m one happy camper! There’s something about the creamy, savory goodness of this Vegan White Bean Chili that warms me from the inside out.
Pair it with a slice of vegan cornbread or some pickled jalapeños for a little extra kick, and it’s perfection in a bowl.
Ingredients & Substitutions
You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.
- Plant-Based Chicken: I love using Tofurkey Plant-Based Chicken for this recipe, but you can swap in any vegan chicken you prefer. For a whole-food option, use jackfruit—it gives the chili a shredded texture similar to chicken!
- White Beans: Cannellini beans or Great Northern beans work best here. They’re creamy and hold their shape well.
- Vegan Cream Cheese: Any store-bought brand will do, but if you’re feeling fancy, try making a homemade cashew cream for an extra-rich touch!
- Spices: We’ll use a little bit of chili powder to give this chili its iconic seasoning without adding too much color.
- Corn: You’ll need a can of corn or substitute frozen corn for that fresh corn flavor.
- Green Chiles: We’ll add even more chili flavor thanks to a can of green chiles. Use mild or medium, based on your preference for a spicy kick.
How to Make Vegan White Bean Chili
- Sauté the base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions and garlic, cooking until they’re soft and translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Cook the chicken: Toss in your plant-based chicken and cook for 3-5 minutes, until it’s heated through.
- Add the good stuff: Stir in the white beans, corn, green chiles, chili powder, and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer and then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it cook for about 10-20 minutes.
- Creamy magic: Cut vegan cream cheese into cubes and stir it in. Cover and simmer for another 10 minutes to let everything meld together.
- Serve and enjoy: Ladle it into bowls, and top with vegan sour cream, jalapeños, or a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Serve alongside your favorite bread or crackers!
Slow Cooker Instructions
The slow cooker is my favorite kitchen power tool… As in, it makes me feel powerful when I use it! There’s nothing like a ready-to-eat dinner in the evening!
Here are the instructions to make this white bean chili in the slow cooker:
- Prep the ingredients: Add the olive oil, chopped onions, garlic, vegan chicken (or jackfruit), beans, corn, green chiles, chili powder, and vegetable broth to the slow cooker.
- Cook: Set your slow cooker to low and cook for 4-6 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours, until the flavors are well combined.
- Add the cream cheese: About 30 minutes before serving, cut the vegan cream cheese into cubes and stir it into the chili. Let it melt and get creamy, stirring occasionally to incorporate.
- Finish and serve: Before serving, use a spatula to break down the jackfruit if you’re using it. Serve with your favorite toppings like jalapeños, vegan sour cream, or cornbread!
Notes from the Kitchen
- Creamy Comfort: With vegan cream cheese melting into the broth, this chili has a velvety texture that’s pure indulgence.
- Plant-Powered Protein: The addition of plant-based chicken makes every serving hearty and satisfying.
- Easy-Peasy: Don’t be intimidated! This chili is a breeze to whip up in just a few steps, perfect for a busy weeknight.
Marly’s Tips
- Custom Spice Levels: If you like your chili with a kick, don’t be shy—add extra chili powder or even a dash of cayenne pepper!
- Bulk it Up: Looking to add more veggies? Toss in some diced bell peppers or zucchini when you add the beans.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this with your favorite side dishes, such as:
- Classic: Serve with a side of warm cornbread or a crusty slice of artisan no-knead bread for soaking up that creamy broth.
- Toppings Bar: Create a toppings bar with jalapeños, vegan shredded cheese, and air-fried tortilla chips for a fun, interactive meal.
- Chili Bowl: Spoon this chili over a baked sweet potato or in a bread bowl for an extra cozy presentation.
Storage Tips
This chili stores beautifully! Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It’s freezer-friendly too—just make sure to let it cool completely before freezing, and it’ll last for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave when ready to enjoy.
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Easy Vegan White Bean Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion peeled and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic peeled and minced
- 8 oz plant-based chicken (see notes)
- 30 oz canned white kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 15 oz can corn drained
- 4 oz can green chiles
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 4 oz vegan cream cheese
Instructions
Stovetop:
- Add oil to a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions and garlic, and cook until onions are translucent, around 3 minutes. Add vegan chicken and cook for 3 to 5 minutes to heat through.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 medium onion, 3 cloves garlic, 8 oz plant-based chicken
- Add beans, corn, chiles, broth, and chili powder. Stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 10 to 20 minutes.30 oz canned white kidney beans, 15 oz can corn, 4 oz can green chiles, 1 cup vegetable broth, 2 teaspoons chili powder
- Cut cream cheese into cubes and add this to the mixture as it cooks. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes to melt the cream cheese.4 oz vegan cream cheese
- Serve warm with jalapeños vegan sour cream, cornbread, crackers, or your favorite crusty bread.
Slow Cooker:
- Prep the ingredients: Add the olive oil, chopped onions, garlic, vegan chicken (or jackfruit), beans, corn, green chiles, chili powder, and vegetable broth to the slow cooker.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 medium onion, 3 cloves garlic, 8 oz plant-based chicken, 30 oz canned white kidney beans, 15 oz can corn, 4 oz can green chiles, 1 cup vegetable broth, 2 teaspoons chili powder
- Cook: Set your slow cooker to low and cook for 4-6 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours, until the flavors are well combined.
- Add the cream cheese: About 30 minutes before serving, cut the vegan cream cheese into cubes and stir it into the chili. Let it melt and get creamy, stirring occasionally to incorporate.4 oz vegan cream cheese
Serving:
- Finish and serve: Before serving, use a spatula to break down the jackfruit if you're using it. Serve with your favorite toppings like jalapeños, vegan sour cream, or vegan cornbread!
Recommended Equipment
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Video
Notes
Vegan Chicken
- I use Tofurkey Plant-Based Chicken and add it directly to the pot. It holds its texture and does not need to be pre-cooked.
- Other forms of vegan chicken require cooking first so that it’s firm. Read the package instructions.
- Alternatively, you can use jackfruit. If you’re using canned jackfruit, drain it and then add it to the saucepan with the beans. Allow it to simmer with the other ingredients and then after it softens (or right before serving), use a spatula to break it down into smaller pieces.
Cream Cheese
For cream cheese: Use any vegan cream cheese product or homemade vegan cashew cream.The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Stew Favorites
If you love this recipe for white bean chili, here are more rich and hearty stew favorites to try:
About the Author
Hi! I’m Marly McMillen. I’m the founding editor, author, recipe developer, vegan home chef, and food stylist behind Namely Marly. I’m so grateful to you and every member of my audience for your support and dedication. More about Namely Marly ›
2 Responses to Vegan White Bean Chili
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Delicious alternative to traditional chili!
I’m so glad you liked this recipe!