The Best Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe for Cozy Nights
Crafting a delightful white chicken chili in your crockpot promises a comforting meal that’ll warm your soul.
Slow-cooking transforms simple ingredients into a magical blend of flavors and textures.
Every spoonful brings a rich, creamy experience that feels like a culinary hug.
Tender chicken, hearty beans, and aromatic spices mingle to create a symphony of southwestern comfort.
Each ingredient plays a perfect role in this effortless one-pot wonder.
Minimal prep and maximum flavor make this recipe a weeknight champion that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Crockpot White Chicken Chili Go-To Flavor
White Chicken Chili Crockpot Ingredients
Protein:Beans and Vegetables:Dairy and Cream Base:Spices and Seasonings:Broth:Optional Toppings:Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe Process
Step 1: Nestle Chicken in Crockpot
Gently place whole chicken breasts into the slow cooker, ensuring they sit comfortably at the bottom of the pot.
Step 2: Layer Flavor-Packed Ingredients
Gather your delicious ingredients and add them to the crockpot:Sprinkle seasonings evenly over the ingredients to ensure maximum flavor distribution.
Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover the crockpot and let the magic happen.
Cook on low setting for 6-8 hours or on high setting for 3-4 hours until chicken is tender and fully cooked.
Step 4: Shred and Transform Chicken
Carefully remove chicken breasts from the crockpot.
Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Return the shredded chicken back to the slow cooker.
Step 5: Create Creamy Texture
Add softened cream cheese to the chili.
Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely and blends seamlessly with the other ingredients, creating a luxurious, velvety consistency.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Ladle the steaming chili into bowls.
Top with your favorite garnishes like:Enjoy your comforting and hearty white chicken chili!
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FAQs
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Just add 1-2 hours to the cooking time to ensure they’re fully cooked and can be easily shredded.
The recipe has mild spice from green chiles and chili powder. If you want less heat, use mild green chiles or reduce the chili powder amount. For more heat, add jalapeños or hot sauce.
Substitute the cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream or cashew cream. These will provide a similar creamy texture without dairy.
Mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with cold water, then stir into the chili during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This will help thicken the consistency without changing the flavor.
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Easy Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Hearty white chicken chili celebrates comfort with rich Mexican-inspired flavors simmering slowly in your crockpot. Creamy, spicy, and packed with tender chicken, beans, and green chiles, this one-pot meal delivers warmth and satisfaction in each delightful spoonful.
Ingredients
Main Proteins:
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1 block (8 ounces / 226 grams) cream cheese, softened
Beans and Vegetables:
- 2 cans (15 ounces / 425 grams each) great northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) corn, drained
- 1 can (4 ounces / 113 grams) diced green chiles
Liquid and Seasonings:
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Avocado
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Gently nestle chicken breasts into the crockpot as the foundation of this hearty white chili.
- Layer white beans, corn, and diced green chiles around the chicken, creating a vibrant base for the dish.
- Pour chicken broth over the ingredients, then sprinkle a robust blend of garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to infuse deep, complex flavors.
- Allow the crockpot to work its magic, slow-cooking the mixture on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken becomes tender and easily falls apart.
- Carefully extract the chicken breasts and use two forks to shred the meat into delicate, succulent strands.
- Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot, gently folding it back into the aromatic mixture.
- Introduce softened cream cheese, stirring continuously until it melts completely and creates a luxuriously creamy texture throughout the chili.
- Ladle the steaming chili into bowls and garnish with optional toppings like shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, or fresh cilantro for added brightness and texture.
Notes
- Customize spice levels by adjusting chili powder and adding hot sauce for more heat or reducing for milder flavor.
- Swap chicken breasts with thighs for richer, more tender meat that remains juicy during slow cooking.
- Use low-fat cream cheese or Greek yogurt to create a lighter version without compromising creamy texture.
- Enhance protein content by adding additional beans like cannellini or navy beans for extra nutrition and heartiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (on low)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
James Walker
Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction
Education
School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations
Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices.
James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).