Setting the render distance to a high value (16 chunks for example) will not force new chunk generation. If you move towards the empty chunks, they will then generate, and thus render.

I find this a little hard to describe correctly. Please see the screenshot I attached.
The screenshot was taken at a view distance of 16 chunks. I allowed the chunks to load before shooting as well.

I apologize to the moderators if this is an intended feature, duplicate, etc.
(I did search.)