Discover a truly delicious and effortless dinner with this white chicken chili crockpot recipe. It’s incredibly creamy, packed with savory flavor, and requires minimal prep work. Perfect for busy weeknights, cozy family meals, or even casual gatherings, this slow cooker chili will quickly become a favorite. Get ready to learn all the ingredients, simple steps, and expert tips to make this amazing dish.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This White Chicken Chili Crockpot Recipe
You’ll adore this white chicken chili crockpot for so many reasons:
- Minimal Effort: This is a true dump-and-go meal. Simply add ingredients to your crockpot, set it, and forget it.
- Incredibly Creamy: Reduced-fat cream cheese and half and half create a rich, comforting texture.
- Flavorful & Zesty: A thoughtful blend of spices gives this chili a perfect balance of warmth and zest.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the spice level to suit your family’s preferences.
- Family Favorite: This hearty dish is a crowd-pleaser for adults and kids alike.
Ingredients for White Chicken Chili Crockpot
Gather these simple ingredients to create your comforting white chicken chili crockpot. This recipe simplifies dinner without sacrificing taste.
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (trimmed of excess fat)
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 24 oz. low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 15oz cans Great Northern beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2 4-oz cans diced green chiles (use one hot, one mild for balanced heat)
- 1 15oz can whole kernel corn (drained)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cumin
- 3/4 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- Small handful of fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 4 oz reduced-fat cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup half and half
Notes & Substitutions
- Chicken: For an even richer flavor, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts.
- Beans: Cannellini beans, navy beans, or even black beans make great alternatives to Great Northern beans.
- Creaminess: If you don’t have half and half, heavy cream or milk can work. Adjust the amount for your desired consistency.
- Spice: To increase the heat, add more cayenne pepper or include a fresh, diced jalapeño.
- Vegetables: Feel free to toss in diced bell peppers or zucchini for added nutrients and texture.
Equipment
You won’t need much for this easy recipe. Gather these basic kitchen tools before you begin cooking.
- 6-quart slow cooker (crockpot)
- Cutting board and sharp knife
- Two forks for shredding chicken
- Ladle for serving
Step-by-Step Instructions for White Chicken Chili Crockpot
Making this creamy slow cooker white chicken chili is incredibly straightforward. Just follow these steps for a perfect meal every time.
- Add Chicken & Seasoning: Place the trimmed chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle them generously with salt, black pepper, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Layer Remaining Ingredients: Top the seasoned chicken with the diced onion, minced garlic, drained and rinsed Great Northern beans, diced green chiles, and drained whole kernel corn.
- Pour & Stir: Pour the low-sodium chicken broth over all the ingredients. Add the chopped fresh cilantro. Stir everything gently to combine it well.
- Slow Cook: Cover your slow cooker with the lid. Cook on the LOW setting for 8 hours, or if you are short on time, cook on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be very tender and easily shreddable.
According to the USDA, slow cookers are a safe way to prepare food as they cook at temperatures between 170°F and 280°F, destroying bacteria. Learn more about slow cooker food safety guidelines.
- Shred Chicken: Carefully remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker and place them in a large mixing bowl. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker with the chili.
- Add Creamy Elements: Add the softened reduced-fat cream cheese and half and half to the pot.
- Optional Cream Cheese Smoothing: For an extra smooth blend, take a few ladles of the hot chili liquid into a small mixing bowl with the softened cream cheese. Whisk until smooth, then stir this mixture back into the slow cooker. This prevents lumps.
- Final Cook: Stir everything well to incorporate the cream cheese and half and half.
Cover the slow cooker again and cook on HIGH for another 15 minutes. This final cook time allows the chili to become wonderfully creamy and slightly thickened. - Serve: Give the chili a good stir once more. Serve your delicious white chicken chili crockpot immediately with your favorite toppings.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Making your creamy white chicken chili crockpot even better is simple with these pointers.
- Smooth Cream Cheese: Whisk softened cream cheese with a few ladles of hot chili liquid in a separate bowl before adding it to the pot. This prevents lumps.
- Thickening: If your chili isn’t as thick as you like, create a cornstarch slurry. Mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of milk or broth, then stir it into the chili at the end of cooking. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes on high.
- Prevent Dry Chicken: Remove the chicken as soon as it shreds easily. Overcooking can make it dry.
- Enhance Flavor: For a deeper base flavor, briefly sauté the diced onion and minced garlic in a pan before adding them to the crockpot.
- Adjusting Heat: Control the amount of cayenne pepper and green chiles you add. Start with less and add more to taste.
Serving, Storage & Variations
This white chicken chili crockpot is versatile for serving, easy to store, and simple to adapt.
Serving Suggestions
Top your chili with a variety of delicious additions. We love sliced avocados, a dollop of sour cream, extra minced fresh cilantro, and crispy tortilla strips. Shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican cheese also melts beautifully on top. Sliced jalapeños add a nice kick.
Pairs Well With
Serve this hearty chili alongside warm cornbread for a classic pairing. A crusty bread also works wonderfully for soaking up all the creamy broth.
Storage
Store any leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. It often tastes even better the next day!
Freezing Instructions
To freeze, cook the chili as directed, but do not add the cream cheese or half and half. Let the chili cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags. It will keep for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw the chili overnight in the refrigerator, reheat it on the stove or in the slow cooker, then stir in the dairy products until creamy and heated through.
White chicken Chili Crockpot Variations
- Turkey Chili: For a leaner option, substitute ground turkey or leftover shredded turkey for the chicken.
- Extra Beans: Add an extra can of rinsed black beans for more fiber and a different texture.
- Dairy-Free: Omit the cream cheese and half and half entirely for a lighter, broth-based version of this chili.
- Stovetop/Instant Pot: Check the recipe card notes for alternative cooking instructions if you prefer not to use a slow cooker.
Nutrition Information
Here is an estimated nutritional breakdown for one serving of this white chicken chili crockpot. These values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 155 kcal |
| CarbohydrateContent | 5 g |
| ProteinContent | 18 g |
| FatContent | 6 g |
| SaturatedFatContent | 2 g |
| CholesterolContent | 62 mg |
| SodiumContent | 988 mg |
| SugarContent | 1 g |
| ServingSize | 1 serving |
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
For the best results, thaw your chicken breasts completely before adding them to the slow cooker. This ensures even cooking.
How do I make the chili thicker?
You can easily thicken the chili by mixing a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with a small amount of milk or broth) into the pot at the end.
What kind of beans are best?
Great Northern beans are traditional for this type of chili, but cannellini beans or even navy beans also work very well.
Can I prepare this chili ahead of time?
Yes, cook all the ingredients as directed, omitting the cream cheese and half and half. Add the dairy when you reheat it.
What are common toppings for white chicken chili?
Popular toppings include shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, jalapeños, and crispy tortilla strips for crunch.
Conclusion
You now have everything you need to create an incredibly easy, creamy, and flavorful white chicken chili crockpot. This recipe truly delivers comfort in a bowl, perfect for any day of the week. We hope you enjoy making and sharing this delightful meal. Don’t forget to share your creation and rate the recipe!
The Best White Chicken Chili Crockpot – 5 Easy Steps
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk (optional)
- Ladle (optional)
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts trimmed of excess fat
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 24 oz. chicken broth low sodium
- 2 15oz cans great Northern beans drained and rinsed
- 2 4oz cans diced green chiles one hot, one mild
- 1 15oz can whole kernel corn drained
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cumin
- 3/4 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- fresh cilantro small handful, chopped
- 4 oz reduced fat cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup half and half
Toppings
- sliced jalapenos
- sliced avocados
- sour cream dollop of
- minced fresh cilantro
- tortilla strips
- shredded Monterey jack or Mexican cheese
Instructions
Instructions
- Add chicken breasts to the slow cooker and season with salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Top the chicken with diced onion, minced garlic, great Northern beans, green chiles, corn, chicken broth, and cilantro, then stir to combine.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- Remove the cooked chicken to a large mixing bowl, shred it, and then return it to the slow cooker.
- Stir in the softened cream cheese and half and half, then cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 15 minutes, or until the chili is creamy and slightly thickened.
- For a smoother blend, whisk the softened cream cheese with a few ladles of chili in a separate small bowl until smooth before stirring the mixture back into the slow cooker with the half and half.
- Stir the chili well before serving with your desired toppings.