That's right, this chili is award-winning! Okay, technically it was from my daughter’s elementary school chili cook-off, but still. Two years in a row. That’s right, friends. This White Chicken Chili took home not one, but two trophies. One of them said Best Overall Chili, which, if you ask me, basically makes it a national title. Or at least a regional one. (Fine, it was the PTA, but still a major award.)
Course Christmas, Crowd Pleasers, High Protein, Main Course, One Pot Meals, Soup, Weeknight Meals
Cuisine Southern Comfort Food, Texan
Servings 6people
Equipment
1 Large Dutch Oven
Ingredients
1bell pepper, choppedI use green
1smallonion, chopped
2clovesgarlic, minced
1tablespoonavocado oil
2cupsshredded rotisserie chicken
1tablespooncreole or cajun seasoning(I use Tony's)
128 oz canBlue Runner Creole Mirepoix Navy Beans
4cupschicken broth
2tablespooncream cheese(must be room temperature)
1pkgCarroll Shelby's White Chicken Chili Mix
Instructions
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat avocado oil over medium heat.
Add chopped bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Sauté until softened and fragrant.
Add chicken (or rotisserie chicken) and season everything with your creole/cajun seasoning of choice.
Stir in your beans, bone broth and cream cheese.
Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and let it gently bubble for about 30 minutes.
That’s it. You’ve got yourself a bowl of chili that could technically win you an award. Results may vary depending on PTA judges and school cafeteria lighting.
Notes
When the weather cools down and comfort food cravings hit, this easy White Chicken Chili recipe is the answer. It’s cozy, creamy, and filled with bold flavor, making it one of my favorite fall dinner ideas. This is the kind of bowl that feels like it’s been simmering all day, even though it comes together in under an hour. Whether you’re cooking for your family, hosting a game day party, or looking for a quick cozy meal, this award-winning chili is going to be a new go-to.I love using Carroll Shelby's White Chicken Chilimix, because they really have perfected the seasoning blend! If you can't find it anywhere, here is a great alternative recipe:
2 teaspoon oregano
2 teaspoon onion powder
3 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (less if you want it milder)
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoon cornstarch
White Chicken Chili Winning Recipe
That's right, this chili is award-winning! Okay, technically it was from my daughter’s elementary school chili cook-off, but still. Two years in a row. That’s right, friends. This White Chicken Chili took home not one, but two trophies. One of them said Best Overall Chili, which, if you ask me, basically makes it a national title. Or at least a regional one. (Fine, it was the PTA, but still a major award.)
Every year my daughter’s school hosts their big fall chili cook-off. You know the one with slow cookers lining the cafeteria tables, a few rogue dads sneaking in brisket, and at least one kid running around with a ladle. I didn’t go in expecting much, but when that first judge took a bite, I saw it in their eyes. This wasn’t your average chili. Award Winning White Chicken Chili
This recipe has become a family favorite ever since. It’s cozy, creamy, and has just enough Creole flavor to keep things interesting. It tastes like it’s been simmering all day, but it comes together in about an hour which makes it perfect for busy weeknights, lazy Sundays, or anytime you want a bowl of comfort that feels a little “award-worthy.”
Also cooks beautifully in a slow cooker! Cook all of the ingredients on low for 4 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
This White Chicken Chili is the definition of easy fall comfort food. It’s hearty without being heavy, has a cozy Southern twist, and somehow tastes like you spent all afternoon making it. The Creole Trinity & Herb Blend gives it depth, while the cream cheese adds that creamy finish everyone loves.
Pair it with cornbread, top it with shredded cheese, sour cream and sliced jalapeños, and get ready for the compliments to roll in. Bonus points if you print your own “Major Award” certificate for the fridge. Just saying.Award Winning White Chicken Chili
Save this recipe, and share it with a friend!
Because sure, it started as a little school chili cook-off win, but around here, it’s a major award.
Keyword chili, soup, weeknight dinner, weeknight meals, white chicken chili
Cinco de Mayo marks an important victory for Mexico over French forces in 1862. It is not Mexico’s Independence Day, but here in Texas, it has taken on a life of its own. It is less about history lessons at the dinner table and more about gathering people, putting out something good to eat, and leaning into the flavors that already feel like home.
Growing up in Texas, Mexican food was never something “different” or occasional. It was just part of how we ate. Right alongside the German and Southern influences that show up in everything from sausage to potato salads, Tex-Mex and Mexican-inspired dishes have always been woven into everyday life. Tacos on a weeknight, enchiladas for a crowd, chips and salsa that somehow turn into dinner. It is not a theme night. It is just how things are done.
That is exactly what these recipes reflect. They are not complicated or overly traditional. They are the kind of meals you actually make, the ones that hit that balance of bold flavor and real-life ease. Whether you are planning something for Cinco de Mayo or just trying to get dinner on the table without overthinking it, these are five you will keep coming back to.
Birria Tacos (Slow Cooker)
There is something about birria that feels like you went all in, even if you did not. A chuck roast, a rich chile-based sauce, and a slow cooker that quietly does its job all day. By the time it is done, the beef is fall-apart tender and packed with deep, smoky flavor. Dip your tortillas in that consommé, crisp them up, and suddenly you have that restaurant-style taco at home.
Why it makes the list: It feels impressive without requiring constant attention, and it feeds a crowd without stress.
30 Minute Red Chicken Enchiladas
This is the recipe that saves dinner more often than I can count. Rotisserie chicken keeps things moving, red enchilada sauce brings the flavor, and a generous layer of cheese pulls it all together. It is classic, simple, and exactly what you want when time is not on your side.
Why it makes the list: It is fast, dependable, and always a win on busy nights.
Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos
These are the kind of nachos that do not last long once they hit the table. Crispy chips, seasoned chicken, melted cheese, and whatever toppings you have on hand. Everything bakes together on one pan, which means you are not stuck cleaning up a kitchen full of dishes afterward.
Why it makes the list: Easy to throw together, easy to share, and perfect for a laid-back gathering.
Sheet Pan Taco Fries
This one leans a little more comfort food, and no one is mad about it. Crispy fries loaded with seasoned ground beef, cheese, and toppings turn into something that feels fun without being complicated. It is the kind of meal that works just as well for a casual get-together as it does for a random weeknight.
The best sheet pan taco fries. Perfect for a celebration or just a fun weeknight meal.
Why it makes the list: It is low effort, customizable, and disappears fast.
30 Second Salsa
If there is one thing that shows up at just about every table, it is chips and salsa. This version keeps it simple. A can of Rotel, jalapeño, cilantro, onion, garlic, lemon juice, and salt all blended together in seconds. No extra steps, no waiting around. Just fresh, smooth, bold flavor right away.
Why it makes the list: It is fast, it is easy, and it tastes like something you would get at your favorite local spot.
Bringing It All Together
This is not about creating a perfect menu or doing everything at once. It is about pulling together a few good things that people actually want to eat. Maybe it is chips and salsa to start, nachos or taco fries in the middle, and a pan of enchiladas or a batch of birria tacos as the main event.
That is the beauty of cooking this way, especially here in Texas. The flavors are familiar, the recipes are flexible, and the goal is simple. Feed people well, keep it approachable, and make something worth sitting down for. Cinco de Mayo just gives you a good reason to do exactly that.
Cinco de Mayo marks an important victory for Mexico over French forces in 1862. It is not Mexico’s Independence Day, but here in Texas, it has taken on a life of its own. It is less about history lessons at the dinner table and more about gathering people, putting out something good to eat, and leaning into the flavors that already feel like home.
Growing up in Texas, Mexican food was never something “different” or occasional. It was just part of how we ate. Right alongside the German and Southern influences that show up in everything from sausage to potato salads, Tex-Mex and Mexican-inspired dishes have always been woven into everyday life. Tacos on a weeknight, enchiladas for a crowd, chips and salsa that somehow turn into dinner. It is not a theme night. It is just how things are done.
That is exactly what these recipes reflect. They are not complicated or overly traditional. They are the kind of meals you actually make, the ones that hit that balance of bold flavor and real-life ease. Whether you are planning something for Cinco de Mayo or just trying to get dinner on the table without overthinking it, these are five you will keep coming back to.
Birria Tacos (Slow Cooker)
There is something about birria that feels like you went all in, even if you did not. A chuck roast, a rich chile-based sauce, and a slow cooker that quietly does its job all day. By the time it is done, the beef is fall-apart tender and packed with deep, smoky flavor. Dip your tortillas in that consommé, crisp them up, and suddenly you have that restaurant-style taco at home.
👉 Super Easy Slow Cooker Birria Beef Tacos
Why it makes the list: It feels impressive without requiring constant attention, and it feeds a crowd without stress.
30 Minute Red Chicken Enchiladas
This is the recipe that saves dinner more often than I can count. Rotisserie chicken keeps things moving, red enchilada sauce brings the flavor, and a generous layer of cheese pulls it all together. It is classic, simple, and exactly what you want when time is not on your side.
👉 30 Minute Red Chicken Enchiladas
Why it makes the list: It is fast, dependable, and always a win on busy nights.
Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos
These are the kind of nachos that do not last long once they hit the table. Crispy chips, seasoned chicken, melted cheese, and whatever toppings you have on hand. Everything bakes together on one pan, which means you are not stuck cleaning up a kitchen full of dishes afterward.
👉Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos
Why it makes the list: Easy to throw together, easy to share, and perfect for a laid-back gathering.
Sheet Pan Taco Fries
This one leans a little more comfort food, and no one is mad about it. Crispy fries loaded with seasoned ground beef, cheese, and toppings turn into something that feels fun without being complicated. It is the kind of meal that works just as well for a casual get-together as it does for a random weeknight.
👉 Sheet Pan Taco Fries
Why it makes the list: It is low effort, customizable, and disappears fast.
30 Second Salsa
If there is one thing that shows up at just about every table, it is chips and salsa. This version keeps it simple. A can of Rotel, jalapeño, cilantro, onion, garlic, lemon juice, and salt all blended together in seconds. No extra steps, no waiting around. Just fresh, smooth, bold flavor right away.
👉 30 Second Salsa
Why it makes the list: It is fast, it is easy, and it tastes like something you would get at your favorite local spot.
Bringing It All Together
This is not about creating a perfect menu or doing everything at once. It is about pulling together a few good things that people actually want to eat. Maybe it is chips and salsa to start, nachos or taco fries in the middle, and a pan of enchiladas or a batch of birria tacos as the main event.
That is the beauty of cooking this way, especially here in Texas. The flavors are familiar, the recipes are flexible, and the goal is simple. Feed people well, keep it approachable, and make something worth sitting down for. Cinco de Mayo just gives you a good reason to do exactly that.