You may have had white chicken chili over at a friend’s place and now you want to try it again at home. You asked for the recipe and over the weekend, you made a bowl of white chicken chili. The only problem is that you are left with excess so now you wonder: Can you freeze white chicken chili? The direct answer is yes; you can but for no longer than three months.

Freezing white chicken chili is a sure way of ensuring you don’t throw the excess away and you can enjoy it again later. In this article, we touch on how you can freeze them and the best tips to ensure you freeze them successfully.

What Exactly Is White Chicken Chili?

White Chicken Chili is a hearty dish that is prepared ahead of time or freshly made. It is prepared from white beans that have been soaked overnight.

It may interest you to check out: Can You Freeze Soaked Beans?

After the beans are soaked and soft, they are slowly cooked in a pot for hours with chicken broth. Other ingredients like salt, pepper, cumin, garlic, etc. are then added to give it taste and flavor. It is served with cheese and, sometimes, cream.

How to Freeze White Chicken Chili

To answer the question, can you freeze white chicken chili? We recommend the following steps when freezing them: These steps ensure you freeze them successfully for about two months.

STEP 1: Let White Chicken Chili Cool

Allow the prepared white chicken chili to cool off after cooking. The number one rule of thumb for freezing food is to always allow cooked food to cool completely before freezing.

STEP 2: Divide into Portions

Divide the soup into portions. Freezing white chicken chili in portions makes decorating easy for you when you are ready to eat.

STEP 3: Pack in Containers

Next, spoon the white chicken chili into an airtight container. Alternatively, you can use freezer bags but the best option is air-tight containers. Ensure that you do not fill the white chicken chili to the top of the container; always leave space for expansion while in the freezer.

STEP 4: Record and Freeze

When you have successfully filled the container with soup, close the lid tightly and firmly. This way, you get to package them properly and keep them from spoiling.  Next, label the containers with the freezing date using a marker pen and place them in the freezer for about 2 months. This labeling helps you remember how long you stored the soup in the freezer.

How Long Can You Freeze White Chicken Chili?

You can freeze white chicken chili for about 2 months in the freezer.

We recommend freezing white chicken chili in smaller portions; this way, you can consume it within the first month. Beyond these months, chili becomes unpleasant and less enjoyable.

5 Tips For Freezing White Chicken Chili

Coming back to the question, can you freeze white chicken chili? The answer is yes. However, you must keep these tips in mind to freeze them successfully.

TIP 1: Allow white chicken chili to cool completely before freezing.

TIP 2: Use air-tight containers with tight lids.

TIP 3: Push out excess air from the freezer bag before sealing it.

TIP 4: Leave room for expansion when filling an airtight container with the white chicken chill.

TIP 5: Label freezer bags or air-tight containers with the storage date.

How Do You Defrost White Chicken Chili?

When you’re ready to eat white chicken chili again, you must defrost it first. To defrost, transfer frozen white chicken chili from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight. Allow it to defrost safely and effectively for 24 hours. Alternatively, you can pop it in the microwave and use the defrost setting if you’re in a hurry.

How to Tell If Your Frozen White Chicken Chili Is Bad

A bad white chicken chili will have the following signs:

• Sour smell
• Slimy and watery texture
• The appearance of molds
• Bitter or sour taste

You mustn’t consume bad white chicken chili, as it could lead to food poisoning.

Can You Refreeze White Chicken Chili?

Unfortunately, white chicken chili should not be frozen again. Once defrosted, ensure that you consume it immediately and do not freeze it again. Freezing white chicken chili can promote bacterial growth and could lead to spoilage while in the freezer.

Does White Chicken Chili Freeze Well?

White chicken chili freezes well. This hearty dish has to be packaged firmly and tightly in air-tight containers or freezer bags and kept in the freezer. It stays for about 2 months.

Conclusion

Surely, you freeze white chicken chili; however, there are tips like allowing the dish to cool down completely and packaging it in containers or freezer bags that must be done for the dish to stay in the freezer for about two months.

FAQs

Can you freeze leftover chicken chili?

Absolutely! Leftover chicken chili can be frozen successfully for about 2 months. Spoon out chili in a freezer bag or air-tight container, label the bag or container, and place them in the freezer.

How long does white chicken chili last in the freezer?

White chicken chili will last in the freezer for about 3 months. Provided it is packaged in an air-tight container or freezer bag, it stays for that period.

Can I reheat chili from frozen?

Before you reheat frozen chili, you want to make sure they defrost or thaw safely. To do this, transfer chili from the freezer to the fridge overnight and allow it to thaw. When defrosted, reheat over a medium heat stovetop with white chicken chili in a saucepan. Let it heat for 15 minutes and serve.