What Is In McCormick White Chicken Chili Seasoning? An In-Depth Look at This Popular Spice Blend

McCormick’s white chicken chili seasoning is a wildly popular spice blend used by home cooks and professional chefs alike to add delicious flavor to chilis, tacos, soups, and more. But what exactly is in this versatile seasoning that makes it so tasty? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the ingredients that make up McCormick white chicken chili seasoning.

A Brief History of McCormick Spices

To understand McCormick’s famous white chicken chili seasoning, it helps to know a bit about McCormick’s history. The company was founded in 1889 by Willoughby M. McCormick in Baltimore, Maryland. He started out selling root beer extract, but quickly expanded into spices and seasonings. Today, McCormick is the largest spice company in the world, known for their commitment to quality and purity. The white chicken chili seasoning blend was introduced fairly recently as part of their gourmet spice line. It quickly became a customer favorite for its ability to add bold, Southwestern flavor to dishes.

The Main Ingredients

The main ingredients in McCormick’s white chicken chili seasoning are

• Chili Peppers – This blend contains both chili powder and dried chili peppers to provide a mild heat and smokiness.

• Cumin – Cumin adds an earthy, nutty flavor and is essential for making authentic Southwestern-style dishes.

• Oregano – The blend contains dried oregano which gives a subtle herbal flavor.

• Onion & Garlic – Onion and garlic powders provide a savory flavor background.

• Cornstarch – A small amount of cornstarch thickens the chili and helps the spices adhere

• Salt – A touch of salt enhances overall flavor.

As you can see, the blend combines staple Southwestern spices like chili peppers and cumin with aromatic ingredients like oregano, onion, and garlic. This combination results in a seasoning with layered, complex flavor perfect for chili.

The Supporting Ingredients

In addition to the main ingredients listed above, McCormick white chicken chili seasoning contains a few other supporting ingredients that enhance the flavor:

• Yeast Extract – Yeast extract adds depth of flavor and umami.

• Chicken Powder – Dried chicken powder provides a subtle meaty flavor.

• Natural Flavors – The natural flavors used are likely derived from chili peppers and complement the other spices.

• Chicken Fat – A little chicken fat gives the blend a rounded, savory taste.

So in addition to the Southwestern spice blend, the seasoning gets an extra flavor boost from natural chicken flavors. This gives the blend a fuller, more complex taste.

##Flavor Enhancers

The McCormick seasoning contains a few ingredients included specifically to enhance flavor:

• Glutamic Acid – This amino acid naturally occurs in tomatoes, cheese, and other foods. It amplifies umami or savory flavors.

• Soy Sauce Powder – Dehydrated soy sauce powder adds a hint of savory depth.

Together, these ingredients intensify the overall flavor impact of the blend without overpowering the Southwestern spice flavors.

No Artificial Ingredients

Importantly, McCormick’s white chicken chili seasoning contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. The only ingredients used are natural spices, herbs, vegetables, and seasonings. This means you get pure, bold flavor in every bite.

Nutritional Profile

The McCormick white chicken chili seasoning has an excellent nutritional profile. Since it contains only dried spices and vegetables, one 1.25 oz packet provides:

• 10 calories
• 0g fat
• 135mg sodium

The blend is low-calorie, fat-free, and relatively low in sodium. It allows you to add big flavor without unwanted calories or fat.

Overall, by understanding the ingredients that make up McCormick white chicken chili seasoning, you can better appreciate the care and quality that go into this blend. It provides an authentic Southwestern flavor profile thanks to its blend of chilis, cumin, oregano, garlic, and more. The natural flavors like chicken powder and yeast extract boost the taste without artificial additives. So next time you use this versatile seasoning, you can feel good knowing exactly what’s inside.

How To Use McCormick White Chicken Chili Seasoning

Now that you know what’s inside McCormick’s signature seasoning, let’s look at the different ways you can use it in your cooking:

White Chicken Chili

This blend was designed specifically to flavor white chicken chili. To make, simply add the seasoning along with chopped cooked chicken, cannellini beans, onion, and chicken broth. The spices give traditional chili fantastic flavor without adding color. Garnish with avocado, cilantro, or sour cream.

Tacos

Spice up ground beef or turkey for tacos by mixing in the white chicken chili seasoning. It adds the perfect kick of spice and Southwestern flavor.

Chicken Fajitas

Use the blend to season chicken breast before slicing and sautéing for fajitas. The mix of spices pairs perfectly with sautéed peppers and onions.

Chili con Carne

Add depth of flavor to traditional beef chili by including some white chicken chili seasoning. It blends perfectly with the other chili spices.

Chicken Soup/Stew

Stir the seasoning into chicken noodle soup or chicken stew to give it a flavor boost. It adds warmth and a subtle kick.

As you can see, McCormick’s signature blend can spice up a wide range of dishes beyond just white chicken chili. Keep a packet handy to inject Southwestern flavor into all your cooking any night of the week.

##How Does McCormick’s Seasoning Compare to Other Brands?

McCormick has remained the top selling chili seasoning blend for good reason – it simply tastes better than other brands. Here’s a quick look at how it compares:

• More authentic flavor – McCormick contains premium quality ingredients like real chili peppers for genuine Southwestern taste. Store brands use lots of fillers.

• No artificial additives – McCormick uses natural spices and flavors only. Many competitors add artificial flavors and preservatives.

• Balanced seasoning – McCormick expertly balances heat, herbs, spices, and flavor enhancers. Other brands tend to be unbalanced and lack complexity.

• Trusted quality – As the world’s largest spice company, McCormick is known for exceptional quality control. Generic brands often lack consistency.

While there are other white chicken chili seasoning blends out there, McCormick remains the gold standard based on its carefully crafted blend of top quality ingredients and perfected balance of flavors.

##Tips for Keeping McCormick Seasoning Fresher Longer

To get the most out of your McCormick white chicken chili seasoning, follow these storage tips:

• Keep unused seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot. Exposure to light, heat, and humidity will cause spices to degrade faster.

• Avoid keeping the seasoning near the stove or oven, as heat can diminish flavor.

• Once opened, try to use the seasoning within 6 months for maximum freshness and potency.

• If the blend ever starts tasting dull or weak, it’s time to replace it with a fresh package.

• You can also freeze half the packet to extend the shelf life. Frozen pre-measured amounts thaw quickly.

With proper storage, your McCormick seasoning can maintain excellent quality and flavor for many months beyond the use by date. Follow these tips to get the most value from each packet.

From its origins in the late 1800s as a small Baltimore spice shop, McCormick has grown to become the largest spice company in the world, synonymous with quality and purity. McCormick white chicken chili seasoning has emerged as one of their most popular blends thanks to its blend of authentic Southwestern flavors. This versatile seasoning adds the perfect kick of heat and depth of flavor to chilis, tacos, chicken dishes and more.

By understanding the ingredients inside McCormick’s signature blend, from chili peppers to yeast extract, we gain an appreciation for the care and expertise that go into making this incredible seasoning. With McCormick white chicken chili seasoning stocked in your pantry, you’re never more than a shake away from restaurant-quality flavor in your cooking.