What to Serve with White Chicken Chili (Toppings & Sides)

White Chicken Chili is the ultimate comfort food! There is nothing more satisfying than a big bowl of chili for a main dish. White chicken chili is always a huge hit at game day parties and is bound to be a fan favorite at your chili cook-off too! This post outlines all of the best side dishes to pair with your white chicken chili to help round out your meal.

Jump to:

• First Things First, Making the Perfect White Chicken Chili
• Favorite Toppings for White Chicken Chili
• Perfect Side Dish Ideas for White Chicken Chili
• Don’t Forget Dessert!
• Try some of our other favorite chili recipes!

First Things First, Making the Perfect White Chicken Chili

Our easy white chicken chili recipe is made right in your slow cooker! The main ingredients in our crockpot white chicken chili are: boneless skinless chicken breasts, yellow onion, sweet corn, black beans, fire roasted tomatoes with green chiles, chicken broth, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chili powder, and cumin. Our flavorful white chicken chili also gets it’s wonderfully unique flavor from two secret ingredients… ranch seasoning and bacon! This chili has the perfect creamy texture, rich flavors, and will make your taste buds sing. 

Favorite Toppings for White Chicken Chili

Adding toppings to your chili is a great way to customize your dinner. Some of the best toppings for chili include:

• Additional cheese
• Oyster crackers or saltine crackers
• Fresh cilantro
• Green onions
• Jalapeno slices
• Avocado slices
• Pico de gallo
• Sour cream
• Crunchy tortilla chips or tortilla strips
• Fritos chips
• Lime wedges to squeeze fresh lime juice on top
• Hot sauce for a dash of added spice if desired

Perfect Side Dish Ideas for White Chicken Chili

Consider serving side dishes along with your chili to create a hearty meal. Add one or two of these great side dish recipes to your meal spread next time you make white chicken chili.

Cornbread

Cornbread is a classic chili side! You can make cornbread in pan and cut it into squares, in a skillet and cut it into triangles, or make cornbread muffins! No judgement if using a box mix is easiest for you. You can even dress up a simple box mix cornbread! But if you’re up for trying something homemade, why not give our Whole Wheat Cornbread, our Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins, this Skillet Jalapeno Cornbread, or this Buttermilk Cornbread recipe a try. 

Bread or crackers

You really can’t go wrong with a nice slice of bread or crackers for dipping in chili. Keep it simple with a slice of No Knead Dutch Oven Bread or Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls. Indulge in more cheesy goodness with this easy but fun with a quick Air Fryer Cheese Toast or this Epic Cheesy Garlic Bread. 

Rice

A lot of people like to serve their chili with a side of rice. You can make a homemade rice recipe or use your favorite boxed or quick rice (like Zatarain’s or Ben’s Original Ready Rice). Try Instant Pot Spanish Rice, or Insta Pot Cilantro Lime White Rice or Cilantro Lime Brown Rice.

Steamed, Sautéed, or Roasted Vegetables

Veggies like green beans, broccoli, and bell peppers are great white chicken chili sides. Whatever veggies you and your family like is a great option. Using the frozen steamer packets is a great hack for busy weeknights! If you want to try a veggie side that’s a little different than your standard sauteed broccoli, give this Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes, Collard Greens, or Mexican Street Corn recipe a try!

Salad

Salad and chili is the perfect combination! Especially with a super creamy white chili, salad is a nice way to lighten your meal up a bit. Whether you want to keep it simple with the greens of your choice tossed in a vinaigrette or make a fun salad recipe, you really can’t go wrong. Try this Classic House Salad, this Lemony Arugula Salad, or this Fall Apple Cranberry Salad with your chili.

Don’t Forget Dessert!

Oftentimes people make big batches of chili for gatherings like football watch parties or chili cook-offs. If you’re hosting a friends or family, having a great dessert to end your meal is always a great choice. A few of our favorite party desserts to enjoy in the fall and winter include:

• Seasonal Desserts:
  • Old Fashioned Apple Crisp with Oat Crumble Topping
  • Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Dessert Dips like Pumpkin Pie Dip or Easy Caramel Apple Dip with Toffee
• Bars:
  • Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
  • Scotcheroo Bars
  • Easy no-bake bars like Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Bars or Fruity Pebbles Treats

Try some of our other favorite chili recipes!

Want to try a more traditional chili? Give one of these yummy chili recipes a try!