Cozy Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe for Fall Nights
Comfort meets convenience in this delightful slow cooker white chicken chili that brings warmth to your dinner table.
Tender chicken pieces mingle with creamy white beans, creating a hearty meal packed with flavor.
Fragrant spices dance through the broth, promising a satisfying experience with every spoonful.
The slow cooker works its magic, melding ingredients into a rich, soul-warming dish that speaks directly to your hunger.
Crisp toppings like fresh cilantro and zesty lime add brightness to this comforting classic.
Weeknight meals just got easier and more delicious with this effortless chili that delivers maximum taste with minimal effort.
Prepare to be delighted by a recipe that turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.
Why Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Is a Cozy Favorite
Ingredients Needed for Slow Cooker White Chili
Protein:Vegetables and Beans:Seasonings and Broth:Garnish (Optional):How to Make White Chicken Chili Easily
Step 1: Lay the Foundation
Place whole chicken breasts directly into the bottom of your slow cooker, creating a protein-packed base for the delicious chili.
Step 2: Create Flavor Explosion
Toss these ingredients into the slow cooker:Stir everything together until all ingredients are well combined and dancing with flavor.
Step 3: First Slow Cook
Cover the slow cooker and let magic happen. Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours until chicken is perfectly tender.
Step 4: Transform the Chicken
Carefully remove chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Using two forks, gently pull and shred the meat into delectable, bite-sized pieces.
Step 5: Creamy Transformation
Return the shredded chicken back to the slow cooker. Cut cream cheese into small cubes and drop them into the mixture.
Stir thoroughly to help cream cheese melt and create a luxurious, velvety texture.
Step 6: Final Simmering
Cover and cook on low heat for an additional 30 minutes, allowing cream cheese to completely dissolve and create a rich, creamy consistency.
Step 7: Serve and Celebrate
Give the chili a final stir to ensure all ingredients are perfectly blended. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and sliced green onions for a beautiful, restaurant-worthy presentation.
Notes for Creamy White Chicken Chili Success
Tasty Ways to Switch Up White Chili
What to Eat With White Chicken Chili Bowls
How to Store Leftover White Chicken Chili Well
FAQs
The chili has a mild heat from green chilies and spices, but it’s not overly spicy. You can adjust the heat by adding more or less chili powder.
Yes, chicken thighs work great in this recipe. They’re often more flavorful and tender compared to chicken breasts.
No, you can add raw chicken breasts directly to the slow cooker. They will cook thoroughly during the slow cooking process.
Use low-fat cream cheese, reduce sodium chicken broth, and add extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to boost nutrition.
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Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Comfort meets flavor in this slow cooker white chicken chili, delivering a hearty Mexican-inspired meal packed with creamy texture and zesty spices. Tender chicken, white beans, and green chiles combine for a soul-warming dish you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Main Proteins:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables and Beans:
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 (17-ounce / 482 grams) can red beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (19-ounce / 539 grams) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup ranch salad dressing
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (8-ounce / 227 grams) package cream cheese, cut into cubes
Instructions
- Position chicken breasts in the base of the slow cooker, creating an even foundation for the chili.
- Layer diced onions, frozen corn, red beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chicken broth, ranch dressing, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper over the chicken. Thoroughly mix ingredients to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Secure lid and slow cook on low temperature for 6-8 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to become tender.
- After cooking period, extract chicken breasts and use two forks to meticulously shred meat into small, uniform pieces.
- Reintroduce shredded chicken into the slow cooker. Dice cream cheese into small cubes and scatter throughout the mixture.
- Continue cooking on low temperature for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to help cream cheese dissolve completely and create a smooth, velvety texture.
- Gently stir chili to ensure all ingredients are well integrated. Transfer to serving bowls and crown with sprinkled cheddar cheese and thinly sliced green onions for added freshness and visual appeal.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by using chicken thighs instead of breasts for richer, more tender meat.
- Reduce sodium by selecting low-sodium chicken broth and reducing added salt.
- Make it vegetarian by substituting chicken with extra firm tofu or additional beans for protein.
- Freeze leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 months, ensuring a quick meal for later.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (or 8 hours)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 342 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Jess Martinez
Contributing Recipe Writer & Nutrition Consultant
Expertise
Southwestern and Latin American cooking, Nutritional analysis and healthy recipe planning, Cultural food traditions, Modifying traditional dishes for better health
Education
Santa Fe Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focused on mastering the flavors and cooking methods of traditional Southwestern cuisine.
Jess’s love for bold, homegrown flavors led her straight into the world of Southwestern cooking and cultural nutrition.
After completing her Certificate in Culinary Arts at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to show that good-for-you food can still taste incredible.
At saltytart.com, Jess shares vibrant, health-conscious recipes with roots in tradition but a fresh, modern twist. When she’s not testing new recipes, you’ll find her at local growers’ markets, tending her herb garden, or digging into food history books.