Short Description
If you’re craving a warm, comforting bowl of chili but want something light and creamy, this Easy White Chicken Chili is the perfect solution. Made in the slow cooker, it’s packed with tender chicken, white beans, and a rich, flavorful broth—perfect for cozy nights or meal prepping.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Easy White Chicken Chili is the kind of dish that feels like a hug in a bowl. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, letting the chicken cook to perfection while blending together all the wonderful flavors. It’s creamy, hearty, and full of protein, and the best part is, you can set it and forget it while the slow cooker works its magic. Whether you’re serving it to the family or taking it for meal prep, this chili is a winner every time.

Ingredients
Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll need:

Chicken breasts (or thighs for extra flavor)
White beans (like great northern or cannellini)
Chicken broth
Onion
Garlic
Green chilies
Cream cheese

For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, scroll down below!

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables
Place your chicken breasts (or thighs) in the bottom of the slow cooker. Then, chop the onion and garlic and add them in with the chicken. These two ingredients will bring a great base flavor to your chili.

Step 2: Add the Beans and Broth
Next, pour in your white beans (drained and rinsed) and the chicken broth. Stir everything around so that the chicken and beans are well-coated in the broth.

Step 3: Add the Chilies and Seasonings
Add the green chilies (either mild or spicy, depending on your taste), and sprinkle in your seasonings like cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Give it all a quick stir to combine.

Step 4: Let the Slow Cooker Work Its Magic
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for about 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. By the end of the cooking time, your chicken should be tender enough to shred with a fork.

Step 5: Shred the Chicken and Add the Cream Cheese
Once the chicken is fully cooked and tender, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Add the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker and stir in a block of cream cheese. The cream cheese will melt and give the chili a nice, creamy texture.

Expert Tips and Tricks

To make it extra creamy, you can stir in a bit of sour cream or even some heavy cream at the end.
If you like a little heat, throw in some jalapeños or extra green chilies for more spice.
You can add extra vegetables like corn or bell peppers for more flavor and color.

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

You can swap out the chicken breasts for chicken thighs for a richer, juicier option.
If you want to make this recipe dairy-free, you can skip the cream cheese and use coconut milk for a slightly different but still creamy texture.
Feel free to use any white beans you have on hand—great northern, cannellini, or even navy beans all work well.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions
This white chicken chili is delicious served on its own, but you can make it even better by adding a handful of shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. It also pairs wonderfully with a side of cornbread or tortilla chips for some crunch.

Storage and Reheating Tips
Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a little more chicken broth if it thickens too much. You can also freeze this chili for up to 3 months, so it’s great for meal prep!

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes! You can add frozen chicken straight to the slow cooker, but make sure to cook it for the full time (7-8 hours on low or 4 hours on high).
Can I make this chili ahead of time?
Definitely! This chili actually gets better the next day as the flavors meld together. Store it in the fridge or freeze for later!
Can I make this chili spicier?
Yes, if you like heat, add more green chilies or toss in some diced jalapeños for an extra kick.
Can I use a different type of bean?
Yes, feel free to swap out the white beans for other beans you have on hand, such as navy beans or even black beans.

Conclusion
This Easy White Chicken Chili is a perfect blend of creamy, hearty, and comforting—making it ideal for chilly evenings, family dinners, or meal prep. With minimal prep and the slow cooker doing most of the work, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a bowl of pure deliciousness. Give it a try, and I’m sure it will become a regular in your recipe rotation!

Easy White Chicken Chili (Slow Cooker)

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If you’re craving a warm, comforting bowl of chili but want something light and creamy, this Easy White Chicken Chili is the perfect solution. Made in the slow cooker, it’s packed with tender chicken, white beans, and a rich, flavorful broth—perfect for cozy nights or meal prepping.

Author: Touria Elkoudssi
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes (low) or 3 hours 15 minutes (high)
Yield: 6 servings (with 2-4 extra servings)
Category: Soup/Chili
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables
Place your chicken breasts (or thighs) in the bottom of the slow cooker. Then, chop the onion and garlic and add them in with the chicken. These two ingredients will bring a great base flavor to your chili.
Step 2: Add the Beans and Broth
Next, pour in your white beans (drained and rinsed) and the chicken broth. Stir everything around so that the chicken and beans are well-coated in the broth.
Step 3: Add the Chilies and Seasonings
Add the green chilies (either mild or spicy, depending on your taste), and sprinkle in your seasonings like cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Give it all a quick stir to combine.
Step 4: Let the Slow Cooker Work Its Magic
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for about 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. By the end of the cooking time, your chicken should be tender enough to shred with a fork.
Step 5: Shred the Chicken and Add the Cream Cheese
Once the chicken is fully cooked and tender, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Add the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker and stir in a block of cream cheese. The cream cheese will melt and give the chili a nice, creamy texture.

Notes

To make it extra creamy, you can stir in a bit of sour cream or even some heavy cream at the end.
If you like a little heat, throw in some jalapeños or extra green chilies for more spice.
You can add extra vegetables like corn or bell peppers for more flavor and color.