The Coziest Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe Ever
Whipping up a delightful white chicken chili in your crockpot promises pure comfort and warmth on chilly evenings.
Slow-cooking transforms simple ingredients into a rich, hearty meal that fills your kitchen with incredible aromas.
Tender chicken, soft beans, and a velvety broth combine to create a soul-satisfying dish everyone will adore.
Mild green chiles add a gentle kick without overwhelming spice, making this recipe perfect for all palates.
Minimal prep work means you can toss everything into the crockpot and let magic happen while you tackle other tasks.
Hearty and nutritious, this chili delivers protein-packed goodness in every single spoonful.
Invite friends over and watch their faces light up as they savor each creamy, comforting bite.
What Makes Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili So Rich
Ingredients for Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Protein:Beans and Vegetables:Dairy and Herbs:Seasonings:Liquid:How to Prepare Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Step 1: Prepare Crockpot Base
Nestle chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker.
Layer the following ingredients:Sprinkle the seasonings directly over the ingredients:Step 2: Slow Cook The Mixture
Cover the crockpot and let it simmer on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours.
The chicken should become perfectly tender and easily fall apart when touched with a fork.
Step 3: Shred The Chicken
Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the crockpot.
Using two forks, shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
Return the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker.
Step 4: Create Creamy Texture
Introduce rich, velvety elements to transform the chili:Stir the ingredients until the cream cheese completely melts and blends into a smooth, luxurious consistency.
Step 5: Serve And Garnish
Ladle the chili into warm bowls.
Top with your favorite garnishes.
Pro Tips for Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Variations on Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Serving Ideas for Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Storing Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili
FAQs
The recipe has a mild to moderate heat level from green chiles and cayenne pepper. You can adjust the cayenne amount to control spiciness or omit it completely for a milder version.
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts directly in the crockpot. Just add 1-2 hours to the cooking time to ensure they are fully cooked and tender.
You can substitute half-and-half with heavy cream or whole milk. Each will slightly change the richness of the chili, but the overall flavor will remain delicious.
The recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free chicken broth and check that your beans and seasonings are certified gluten-free.
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Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Comfort meets convenience in this hearty White Chicken Chili, packed with tender chicken, creamy broth, and zesty southwestern flavors. Slow-cooked simplicity delivers a soul-warming meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Protein:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables and Beans:
- 1 yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 (15 ounces) cans great Northern beans
- 2 (4 ounces) cans diced green chiles
- 1 (15 ounces) can whole kernel corn
- Small handful fresh cilantro, chopped
- Sliced jalapenos (optional topping)
- Sliced avocados (optional topping)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Liquid and Dairy:
- 24 ounces low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 ounces reduced fat cream cheese
- 1/4 cup half and half
Toppings:
- Sour cream
- Minced fresh cilantro
- Tortilla strips
- Shredded Monterey jack or Mexican cheese
Instructions
- Arrange raw chicken breasts in a single layer at the base of the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle diced onions and minced garlic over the chicken, then carefully pour chicken broth around the meat.
- Add green chiles, corn kernels, and variety of beans to create a robust base for the chili.
- Generously season the mixture with salt, pepper, ground cumin, dried oregano, chili powder, and a hint of cayenne for subtle heat.
- Secure the lid and cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes fork-tender and fully cooked.
- Transfer chicken to a cutting board and shred using two forks, then return the shredded meat back to the slow cooker.
- Cut cream cheese into small cubes and slowly incorporate into the hot chili, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
- Pour half-and-half into the mixture, stirring gently to create a rich, velvety consistency.
- Fold in freshly chopped cilantro for a bright, herbal finish.
- Ladle into serving bowls and garnish with optional toppings like additional cilantro, sour cream, or shredded cheese.
Notes
- Prevent dry chicken by using bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts which retain more moisture during slow cooking.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper amount – start with less and gradually increase for personal spice preference.
- For dairy-free version, replace cream cheese with cashew cream or coconut milk and use nutritional yeast for rich, creamy texture.
- Enhance protein content by adding quinoa or extra beans during the last hour of cooking, making the dish more filling and nutritionally balanced.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours (on Low) or 3 hours (on High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Lucas Bennett
Founder & Recipe Developer
Expertise
Education
Blue Ridge Community College – Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focused on seasonal cooking, sustainable kitchen practices, and farm-to-table techniques.
Appalachian State University – B.A. in English
Built critical thinking and analysis through diverse texts. Guided by faculty, it prepares graduates for publishing and more.
Growing up in the rolling hills of North Carolina, Lucas learned early that some of life’s best memories start around a kitchen table. After studying English at Appalachian State University and honing his culinary skills at Blue Ridge Community College, he dreamed of blending storytelling with rustic, seasonal cooking, and The Scrumptious Pumpkin was born.
Lucas focuses on easy, single-serving recipes that turn fresh, local ingredients into something special. His style is simple, heartfelt, and rooted in the beauty of the seasons. When he’s not testing a new dish, you’ll probably find him hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, browsing farmers’ markets, or scribbling food stories in a notebook.