In just over 30 minutes, you can make our Smoked White Salmon Chili recipe, and that’s on everything.
It is made with cannellini beans, sweet corn, celery, and onions, with a white chili base that is sure to please.
It’s the perfect comfort food with lots of smoky flavors and hearty enough to make the world a better place.
Smoked White Salmon Chili
When most folks think of chili, thoughts of a thick tomato-based stew made with ground beef come to mind.
But when folks start conversations about white chili, the protein of choice is chicken and, at times, turkey and no tomatoes in sight.
We’re rebels, and we flipped the white chili game upside down, and let me tell you, chili will never be the same!
The best white chili recipe!
For what it’s worth, this IS the best white chili recipe, hands down! It is lovingly made with sautéed onions, celery, garlic, low-sodium chicken stock, heavy whipping cream, sour cream, cannellini beans, whole kernel corn, etc., and grilled salmon.
It is a hearty mix of so many of my favorite things.
Be sure to check out these salmon recipes:
A hearty smoked white chili salmon recipe
A hearty smoked white chili salmon recipeAfter you have divided the steaming smoked white salmon chili into serving bowls, top each portion with a variety of delicious toppings like grated parmesan cheese (or whatever kind of cheese you like), fresh slices of red pepper, green onion, and a squeeze of freshly squeezed lime juice, then dig all the way in!
The flavor is simply unforgettable; it manages to be smoky without heat but still reminds you of what a bowl of homemade chili is supposed to be: delicious and filling.
So good you may hurt yourself with this one.
Other cheeses you may like with our smoked white salmon chili:
- Smoked Gouda
- Grana Padano
- A mild Goat Cheese
- Or, if you are feeling extra fancy, try an aged Stilton.
Other meat you can use in a white chili recipe
If, by chance, salmon isn’t your jam, it’s okay; leave it out. Or replace the salmon with chunks of grilled chicken breasts, also chopped garlicky chicken thigh meat is an excellent option.
This smoked white chili recipe is big on smoky flavor with spices and seasoning, bringing this easy chili recipe to life!
What You Will Need To Make Our Smoky White Salmon Chili:
Onions. EVOO. Smoked Sea Salt. Unsalted Butter. This recipe starts with sautéeing a large chopped onion with extra virgin olive oil, smoked sea salt, and unsalted butter.
Celery. Garlic. Low-Sodium Chicken Stock. Lime Juice. I build up the chili with sliced celery, minced garlic, low-sodium chicken stock, and a splash of freshly squeezed lime juice. At this point, the combination of ingredients has the whole house smelling like 100% pure love!
Freshly Cracked Black Peppercorns. Smoked Paprika. Garlic Granules. Chorizo Seasoning Mix. Dried Aleppo Peppers. Now, we are getting into the big flavor phase of this recipe with lots of flavors. This recipe gets its smokiness from the introduction of the smoked paprika infusion and the chorizo seasoning mix.
Heavy Cream. Sour Cream. Adding the heavy and sour cream creates a creaminess to this recipe, giving it its signature chili look. If you prefer to keep things dairy-free, replace the heavy cream with unsweetened coconut milk, and substitute the sour cream with vegan sour cream.
Cannelli Beans. Whole Kernel Corn. The addition of cannellini beans and whole-kernel corn bulk up this recipe to authentic chili status. I love cannellini beans for their silky texture and nutty flavor. And there is nothing like whole-kernel sweet corn; freshly cut off of the cob is ideal, but the canned whole-kernel corn will work too!
Grilled Salmon. Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice. Cilantro. I cooked the salmon on the grill. When the chili is finished cooking, separate the salmon into smaller bite-sized pieces and add them to the smoked white chili. I finished it off with freshly squeezed lime juice and chopped cilantro. So good!
Try these toppings for smoked salmon chili:
- cilantro
- julienned red bell peppers
- a drizzle of fresh lime juice
- shredded cheese
- homemade herb croutons
- diced red onion
- sliced green onion, chives, scallions, or shallots
- garlic scapes or wild ramps
- diced green tomatoes
Chorizo Lime Marinade Recipe
Ingredients & Directions:
2 tbsps of EVOO, 2 tbsp of chorizo seasoning mix, 2 tbsps of fresh lime juice, 1/2 tsp of smoked paprika, and 1/8 tsp smoked sea salt. Add all of the ingredients into a small bowl and mix well.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Into a small bowl, add 2 tbsp of chorizo seasoning mix, 2 tbsps of fresh lime juice, 1/2 tsp of smoked paprika, 1/8 tsp of smoked sea salt, and 2 tbsps of EVOO. Mix well.
Pat the salmon dry on both sides and liberally brush both sides of the salmon with the mixture.
Place it on a sheet pan lined with foil and cook for 30 minutes. You can also cook the prepared salmon on a charcoal grill until you get an internal temperature of 145°F.
How to make Smoked White Salmon Chili
6-8 Servings
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup onions
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup celery sliced
- 2 large cloves of garlic chopped
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 tsp smoky sea salt or sea salt (Kosher salt works, too)
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black peppercorns to taste
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules
- 1/2 tsp Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp chorizo seasoning mix or mild chili powder
- 3 cups unsalted chicken stock
- 4 cans cannellini beans, drained
- 2 cans of whole-kernel sweet corn, drained
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 pounds grilled, cooked salmon broken apart
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
*If you want more heat, add grilled jalapeño peppers, serrano, ancho, scotch bonnets, or habanero peppers.
Directions for making white chili:
- First, remove the lid from the Instant Pot, select the Saute setting, and add the extra virgin olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the chopped onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onions have started to soften.
- Add butter, smoked sea salt, celery, and garlic and continue to sauté for a few more minutes.
- Pour in the low-sodium chicken stock and a splash of the freshly squeezed lime juice, about an ounce, and stir.
- Add in the freshly cracked black peppercorns, smoked paprika, garlic granules, chorizo seasoning mix, and dried Aleppo peppers (or dried red pepper flakes). Continue to stir.
- Next, stir in the heavy cream and sour cream. Then add the cannellini beans and whole kernel sweet corn and continue to stir.
- Adjust the Instant Pot to the Keep Warm setting. Remove the salmon from the oven, break it into smaller pieces, and add them to the smoked white chili.
- Top with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and add chopped cilantro.
- Serve with toppings like fresh green onion, slivers of red bell pepper, and grated cheese; we used Parmigiano-Reggiano.
For the topping of the chili
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
- Chopped cilantro
- Fresh green onions
- Slivers of red bell pepper
- Grated cheese
Topping our Smoked White Salmon Chili with fresh toppings takes this easy chili recipe over the top.
We are fans of fresh green things like thinly sliced green onion, chives, leeks, and when in season, diced bi-colored zebra tomatoes, garlic scapes, or wild ramps!
Can I make this white chili dairy-free?
Use plant-based butter, replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock, and substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk and the sour cream with cashew milk.
Instead of using a dairy-based cheese, try a grated vegan cheese or nutritional yeast.
I don’t eat meat; what else can I use?
Grilled tofu is an excellent substitute for the salmon.
I also love using boiled potatoes that have been pan-fried until they are browned.
How long will chili last in the refrigerator?
Homemade chili will keep in the fridge for four to five days.
Store in an airtight container, and you’re golden.
Can I freeze the leftover white chili salmon?
Yes, immediately store any leftovers in portion-size freezer-safe containers and store them in the freezer for up to two months.
Our boys are not big fans of chili, but they love salmon. This was a winning combination for them, even asking for a second bowl of this hearty white chili salmon recipe.
Grab the printable ingredient list and directions down below, and add this soup recipe to your dinner menu this week! And if you make it, come back and let us know.
You can also tag us on Instagram (@thiswortheylife).
Try these soup recipes made in the Instant Pot:
Creamy Cabbage Soup {instant pot soup recipe} *one of our favorite soup recipes!
InChicken Tortilla Soup with Tortilla Croutons
Smoked Salmon White Chili Recipe
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
Chorizo Lime Marinade Recipe
- 2 tbsps of EVOO
- 2 tbsp of chorizo seasoning mix
- 2 tbsps of fresh lime juice
- 1/2 tsp of smoked paprika
- 1/8 tsp smoked sea salt.
Salmon Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds salmon
Smoked White Salmon Chili Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup onions
- 1/3 cup celery sliced
- 2 large cloves of garlic chopped
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 tsp smoky sea salt or sea salt Kosher salt works, too
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black peppercorns to taste
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules
- 1/2 tsp Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp chorizo seasoning mix or mild chili powder
- 3 cups unsalted chicken stock
- 4 cans cannellini beans drained
- 2 cans of whole-kernel sweet corn drained
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 pounds grilled or baked, cooked salmon broken apart
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
Instructions
Chorizo Lime Marinade Directions:
- Into a small bowl, add 2 tbsp of chorizo seasoning mix, 2 tbsps of fresh lime juice, 1/2 tsp of smoked paprika, 1/8 tsp of smoked sea salt, and 2 tbsps of EVOO. Mix well.
How To Cook The Salmon
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Pat the salmon dry on both sides and liberally brush both sides of the salmon with the Chorizo Lime Marinade mix.
- Place it on a sheet pan lined with foil and cook for 30 minutes. You can also cook the prepared salmon on a charcoal grill until you get an internal temperature of 145°F.
How to make Smoked White Salmon Chili Directions:
- First, remove the lid from the Instant Pot, select the Saute setting, and add the extra virgin olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the chopped onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onions have started to soften.
- Add butter, smoked sea salt, celery, and garlic and continue to sauté for a few more minutes.
- Pour in the low-sodium chicken stock and a splash of the freshly squeezed lime juice, about an ounce, and stir.
- Add in the freshly cracked black peppercorns, smoked paprika, garlic granules, chorizo seasoning mix, and dried Aleppo peppers (or dried red pepper flakes). Continue to stir.
- Next, stir in the heavy cream and sour cream. Then add the cannellini beans and whole kernel sweet corn and continue to stir.
- Adjust the Instant Pot to the Keep Warm setting. Remove the salmon from the oven, break it into smaller pieces, and add them to the smoked white chili.
- Top with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and add chopped cilantro.
- Serve with toppings like fresh green onion, slivers of red bell pepper, and grated cheese; we used Parmigiano-Reggiano.
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