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
- 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