White Chicken Chili Crockpot – This slow cooker white chicken chili recipe is a household favorite, blending tender chicken, creamy beans, and just the right amount of spice to make it a go-to meal any night of the week.
Why You’ll Love This White Chicken Chili
- Effortless: Toss everything into the Crockpot, set it, and forget it!
- Healthy: Packed with lean protein from chicken and fiber-rich beans.
- Customizable: Adjust the heat level and flavors to suit your family’s taste.
- Great for Meal Prep: It stores and reheats beautifully, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
Tips and Tricks for the Best White Chicken Chili
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: If you’re in a pinch for time, swap the raw chicken breasts for a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. Just add the shredded chicken in during the last hour of cooking.
- Make It Thicker: If you prefer a thicker chili, mash some of the beans against the side of the Crockpot before serving.
- For More Heat: Add a chopped jalapeño or increase the amount of chili powder and cumin. You could even toss in a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Extra Creamy: For a richer, creamier texture, you can add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half just before serving.
Variations You Can Try
White chicken chili is endlessly adaptable! Here are a few fun twists:
- Turkey Instead of Chicken: Have leftover turkey from a holiday meal? Shred it up and use it in place of chicken.
- Vegetarian Option: Skip the chicken and add an extra can of beans, plus some diced sweet potatoes or butternut squash for heartiness.
- Instant Pot Version: You can easily adapt this recipe for an Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for about 12-15 minutes, then do a natural release.
How to Serve White Chicken Chili
This hearty dish is filling on its own, but you can serve it with a variety of sides or toppings to round out your meal:
- Toppings: Shredded cheese, avocado, cilantro, jalapeños, sour cream, or a squeeze of lime.
- Side Dish Ideas: Serve with warm cornbread, a side salad, or over a bed of rice for a more substantial meal.
- Chili Bar: If you’re hosting, set up a chili bar with a variety of toppings, allowing guests to build their bowls just how they like!
How to Store and Reheat
White chicken chili is an excellent meal to make ahead and store for later. Here’s how to keep it fresh:
In the Fridge:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop!
In the Freezer:
White chicken chili freezes very well. Let the chili cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but be aware that it might increase the cooking time by an hour or so. Just make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
Can I make this chili spicier?
Absolutely! You can add more diced green chilies, chili powder, or even a chopped jalapeño for an extra kick. Don’t be afraid to adjust the spices to your preference!
Is white chicken chili gluten-free?
Yes! This white chicken chili recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as all the canned ingredients, like the beans and green chilies, are certified gluten-free.
Can I double the recipe?
Certainly! This recipe is easy to scale up. Just make sure your Crockpot is large enough to accommodate the extra ingredients, and you may need to add a bit more time to ensure everything cooks through.
White Chicken Chili Crockpot
White Chicken Chili Crockpot - This slow cooker white chicken chili recipe is a household favorite, blending tender chicken, creamy beans, and just the right amount of spice to make it a go-to meal any night of the week.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (trimmed of excess fat)
- 2 cans (15 oz) Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 24 oz low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn, drained
- 2 cans (4 oz) diced green chiles (one hot, one mild)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 3/4 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cumin
- 4 oz reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 cup half and half
- Small handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
Toppings (Optional but highly recommended):
- Tortilla strips
- Dollop of sour cream
- Sliced jalapeños
- Sliced avocados
- Minced fresh cilantro
- Shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican cheese
Instructions
- Place your chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle the salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and cayenne on top.
- Toss in the diced onion, minced garlic, beans, green chiles, corn, chicken broth, and cilantro. Give it all a stir to mix the flavors.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours (or if you're in a rush, HIGH for 3-4 hours). Let the slow cooker work its magic!
- Once the time’s up, remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the slow cooker.
- Stir in the softened cream cheese and half and half. If you want a super smooth texture, whisk the cream cheese with a few ladles of the chili in a separate bowl, then stir it back in.
- Cook on HIGH for 15 minutes until everything is creamy and slightly thickened.
- Ladle your chili into bowls and top with your favorites—avocados, sour cream, tortilla strips, shredded cheese, and more. Dig in!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 402Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 606mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 8gSugar: 4gProtein: 37g
Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
This White Chicken Chili Crockpot recipe is the perfect blend of convenience and flavor, making it a must-try for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or lazy weekend meals. Whether you enjoy it on its own or with a spread of toppings, it’s sure to become a family favorite. Plus, the leftovers are just as delicious, if not better!