There’s no reason to miss out on hearty chili if you can’t have legumes! This white chicken chili with beans is sure to become a favorite. It’s comforting, flavorful, and so warming on a cold winter’s day.

One allergy that can seem tricky, especially in the winter months, is a legume allergy.
Any allergy can be tough to deal with, but in the winter, when it seems like everyone is eating hearty turkey chili, lentil soup, and other bean dishes, a legume allergy can make you feel like you’re really missing out.
Fortunately, you can still make a delicious white chicken chili without beans! Beans aren’t really necessary to make a hearty and flavorful chili. I have a ground beef chili recipe that is also free of beans.
This recipe has lots of onion, corn, potatoes, and plenty of spice. Your family will love this dish. It’s just right for serving with your favorite gluten free crackers or vegan cornbread.
When I served this white chicken chili to my family, no one missed the beans! I think they loved this recipe almost more than the usual chili I make. This recipe is on the mild side, but if you want it hotter, add more salsa verde, or a spicier salsa.
If you are not comfortable with store bought salsa, you can make your own homemade salsa verde.
You can double this recipe if you need to feed a crowd – it would be a great dish to bring to a party or potluck.
If you’re looking for a vegan chili recipe, try this vegan quinoa chili.

Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Breasts – I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts in this chili. If you would like to take a shortcut, you could use rotisserie chicken, or canned chicken.
- Potatoes – I love Yukon Gold potatoes in soup and chili, but you could use any potatoes that you like.
- Corn – Feel free to use either canned or frozen corn kernels.
Substitutions
- If you prefer to use chicken thighs rather than chicken breasts, you could do that. Or you could use white or dark meat turkey as well.
- If you can’t have potatoes, you could use more corn, or add other vegetables to the chili, like squash, carrots, or celery.

Serving Suggestions
Serve this chili with:
- homemade guacamole
- homemade gluten free crackers
- tortilla chips or tortilla strips
- vegan garlic knots

You’re not in this alone! 🤍 Join my food allergy community and get the newest recipes, tips, and tricks for food allergy families. You can still eat delicious food, even with allergies and intolerances.
Storage
Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the fridge. It should stay fresh for about 3-4 days.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Recipe

White Chicken Chili without Beans.
Ingredients
- 1 sweet onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 3 chicken breasts cut into pieces
- 4 medium sized Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 ½ cups frozen corn kernels
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup salsa verde
- 32 ounces chicken broth
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 Tablespoons water
Instructions
- Place the chopped onion and garlic in a large pot with olive oil. Cook until soft, about 7 minutes.
- Add the chicken breasts, potatoes, corn, spices, salsa verde, and chicken broth. Raise the heat to high and bring the chili to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and place a lid on the pot. Simmer for 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Place the cornstarch and water in a small container with a lid and shake well. Drizzle the cornstarch mixture into the chili and stir well until it starts to thicken. Cook for about 5 more minutes.
- If you want the chicken cut into even smaller pieces, you can use kitchen shears to do that after it is cooked.
- Serve with fresh cilantro, chopped red onion, and tortilla chips.







Elise
I made this recipe last night. Halfway through I realized I didn’t have cornstarch or salsa Verde. So, I removed some of the potatoes, mashed them and put them back in the chili to thicken it a bit. I added a little chili powder as well. It was excellent! Thank you!
Elise
Katie
Delicious recipe!!!
Pam Vickery
I am looking forward to making this sooooo much. I have missed chili but can’t have beans due to a soy allergy. Thank you so much for giving me a chili recipe that I can eat!!!