Easy Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe

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

  • Minimal Effort Cooking: Toss ingredients into the crockpot and walk away, letting the appliance do all the hard work without constant monitoring or complicated techniques.
  • Family-Friendly Comfort: Delivers a hearty, mild-flavored meal that satisfies both kids and adults, with customizable toppings making it an instant crowd-pleaser.
  • Time-Saving Wonder: Requires only 10 minutes of prep time and cooks independently, perfect for busy families needing a nutritious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Versatile Meal Prep: Easily freezes and reheats, making it excellent for preparing ahead of time or creating multiple meals with minimal additional effort.

White Chicken Chili Crockpot Ingredients

Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: Tender, lean protein that creates the base of the chili's heartiness.
Beans and Vegetables:
  • Great Northern Beans, Corn: Provide texture, fiber, and wholesome bulk to the chili.
  • Green Chiles: Add mild heat and tangy flavor to the dish.
Dairy and Cream Base:
  • Cream Cheese: Creates a rich, creamy texture and smooth consistency.
Spices and Seasonings:
  • Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Ground Cumin, Chili Powder, Paprika: Classic spice blend that delivers deep, warm flavor profile.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential for enhancing overall taste.
Broth:
  • Chicken Broth: Liquid base that helps blend flavors and create desired consistency.
Optional Toppings:
  • Shredded Cheese, Sour Cream, Avocado, Fresh Cilantro: Customize and add extra layers of flavor and texture.

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:
  • White beans
  • Corn kernels
  • Diced green chiles
  • Chicken broth
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Ground cumin
  • Chili powder
  • Paprika
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

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:
  • Shredded cheese
  • Dollop of sour cream
  • Fresh chopped cilantro

Enjoy your comforting and hearty white chicken chili!

White Chicken Chili Made Easy With Crockpot Cooking Advice

  • Let chicken cool slightly before shredding to prevent burning your fingers and ensure easy, clean pulls.
  • Add an extra pinch of cumin or chili powder to enhance the depth and warmth of the chili's taste profile.
  • Swap cream cheese with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed alternative that maintains a rich, smooth texture.
  • Adjust heat by using mild or hot green chiles, or add a dash of cayenne pepper for those who love extra kick.
  • This chili freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it an excellent make-ahead option for busy weeknights or quick lunches.

Reheat White Chicken Chili Smoothly From Crockpot

  • Transfer leftover chili to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Pour cooled chili into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture if needed.
  • Place single servings in microwave-safe dishes, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until heated thoroughly.

What Pairs Nicely with Crockpot White Chicken Chili

  • Boost Flavor Pairing: Serve with crisp corn tortilla chips that add delightful crunch and complement the chili's creamy texture.
  • Refreshing Beverage Match: Pour a cold Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or Corona, which cuts through the richness and enhances the dish's southwestern spices.
  • Zesty Side Kick: Add a bright, tangy lime-avocado salad with fresh cilantro to balance the chili's warmth and provide a cool, refreshing contrast.
  • Comfort Bread Partner: Warm cornbread with a drizzle of honey creates a sweet and savory companion that soaks up the chili's delicious broth perfectly.

White Chicken Chili in the Crockpot with Comforting Twists

  • Dairy-Free Delight: Replace cream cheese with coconut cream or cashew cream for a lactose-free version that maintains creamy texture.
  • Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives, using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • Spicy Kick Option: Add diced jalapeños or increase chili powder for extra heat, perfect for those who love a more intense flavor profile.
  • Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap white beans with cauliflower florets and reduce corn quantity to lower carbohydrate content, ideal for keto dieters.

FAQs

  • Can I use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe?

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.

  • Is this chili spicy?

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.

  • Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Substitute the cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream or cashew cream. These will provide a similar creamy texture without dairy.

  • How can I thicken the chili if it's too runny?

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

Easy Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 39 reviews

  • 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

Scale

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

  1. Gently nestle chicken breasts into the crockpot as the foundation of this hearty white chili.
  2. Layer white beans, corn, and diced green chiles around the chicken, creating a vibrant base for the dish.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Carefully extract the chicken breasts and use two forks to shred the meat into delicate, succulent strands.
  6. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot, gently folding it back into the aromatic mixture.
  7. Introduce softened cream cheese, stirring continuously until it melts completely and creates a luxuriously creamy texture throughout the chili.
  8. 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

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).

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