Soul-Warming Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe

Chili lovers rejoice as this slow cooker white chicken chili recipe brings comfort straight to your dinner table.

Packed with tender chicken, creamy beans, and a blend of zesty spices, this dish promises warmth in every single bite.

The magic happens effortlessly inside your trusty slow cooker, creating a meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Hearty and satisfying, this chili stands out from traditional red versions with its vibrant white base and rich flavors.

Green chiles and aromatic spices dance together, creating a symphony of taste that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Minimal prep work means you can toss ingredients in the morning and return to a soul-warming meal that’s ready to devour.

Each spoonful delivers a perfect balance of protein, vegetables, and comforting goodness that transforms an ordinary evening into something extraordinary.

Best Ways to Serve Creamy Chicken Chili

• Cozy Comfort Bowl: Pair this hearty chili with warm cornbread or crispy tortilla chips for a delightful texture contrast that makes every bite more satisfying.
• Fiesta Flavor Boost: Sprinkle fresh chopped jalapeños, diced avocado, and a zesty squeeze of lime to elevate the chili's flavor profile and add vibrant freshness.
• Game Day Winner: Serve in individual bread bowls or deep mugs for a perfect casual gathering dish that keeps everyone warm and happy during sports events or movie nights.
• Meal Prep Magic: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days, knowing the flavors will continue to develop and taste even more delicious with each reheat.

Keeping Your White Chili Delicious for Days

• Batch Cooking Magic: Whip up a double recipe and freeze half for busy weeknights. This chili tastes even better after flavors meld together, making it a perfect make-ahead meal.
• Fridge Freshness Strategy: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Keep separate toppings like cheese and cilantro in small containers to maintain maximum crunch and flavor.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Cool chili completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat gently on stovetop.
• Smart Portion Planning: Portion chili into individual serving containers for quick grab-and-go lunches. Pack toppings separately to prevent sogginess and maintain texture when reheating.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 7

White Chicken Chili Ingredient Essentials

• Chicken Breasts, Chicken Thighs: Select tender, fresh cuts that will shred beautifully and provide rich, hearty flavor to the chili.

• Yellow Onion, Celery, Garlic: Foundational vegetables that create a deep, complex flavor profile and add wonderful texture to the chili.
• Green Chili Peppers: Bring a mild, smoky heat and vibrant green color, enhancing the overall taste experience.
• Ground Cumin, Ground Coriander, Dried Oregano: Warm, earthy spices that add authentic southwestern depth and complexity to the dish.
• Kosher Salt: Balances and elevates all the other flavors, ensuring a perfectly seasoned chili.
• Bay Leaf: Infuses a subtle, sophisticated herbal undertone during slow cooking.

• Chicken Broth: Creates a silky, rich liquid base that helps tenderize the chicken and blend all flavors.
• Cannellini Beans, Corn Kernels: Add creamy smoothness and sweet bursts of texture, making the chili more substantial and satisfying.

• Monterey Jack Cheese: Melts beautifully, adding creamy richness.
• Lime Wedges: Provides a bright, tangy freshness to cut through the rich flavors.
• Cilantro: Offers a fresh, herbal pop of color and flavor.
• Sour Cream: Creates a cool, smooth contrast to the warm chili.
• Hot Sauce: Allows personalized heat adjustment for each serving.

Tools That Help Simmer Chili in a Slow Cooker

• Slow cooker: 6-quart size perfect for this hearty chili.
• Cutting board: Chop onions and celery with ease.
• Chef's knife: Sharp blade makes quick work of ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Ensure precise spice measurements.
• Measuring cups: Accurately pour chicken broth and add beans.
• Forks: Shred chicken directly in the slow cooker.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Stir ingredients and distribute spices.

How to Make White Chicken Chili That’s Creamy

• Flavor Foundation Mixing ingredients together in the slow cooker creates a robust base for the chili. Combine chicken, chopped onions, diced celery, zesty green chilis, minced garlic, and a blend of warm spices like cumin, coriander, and oregano. Gently stir to ensure every ingredient gets coated with the aromatic seasonings.
• Liquid Immersion the chicken and vegetables will slowly simmer in a bath of rich chicken broth. Pour the liquid over the ingredients, making sure everything is completely submerged. Set the slow cooker to high heat for a quick meal or low heat for a more leisurely cooking experience.
• Final Touches beans and corn join the party near the end of cooking, bringing additional texture and sweetness. About 30 minutes before serving, add these ingredients to prevent them from becoming mushy. Taste and adjust the seasoning to create a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
• Serving and Presentation shred the tender chicken using two forks, creating delicate, moist pieces that blend seamlessly into the chili. Discard the bay leaf and ladle the chili into warm bowls. Invite guests to personalize their meal with toppings like tangy cheese, fresh lime, vibrant cilantro, creamy sour cream, and spicy hot sauce.

Tips for Getting Texture and Spice Right

• Elevate Your Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
• Replace chicken with turkey or shredded rotisserie chicken for quick, flavorful alternatives that save cooking time.
• Adjust heat by selecting mild or hot green chilis, or add jalapeños for extra kick without overwhelming the dish's delicate flavor profile.
• Stir in cream cheese or heavy cream during the last 30 minutes to create a richer, more velvety chili consistency that feels luxurious.
• This chili freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Cool completely, store in airtight containers, and reheat gently for a convenient meal anytime.
• Sneak in extra nutrition by adding diced bell peppers or zucchini during the last hour of cooking for added texture and wellness.

Ultimate Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired slow cooker white chicken chili brings comfort to weeknight dinners with minimal prep work. Hearty beans, tender chicken, and zesty spices create a soul-warming meal you can enjoy without hours of kitchen labor.

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Ingredients

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• 1.5 to 2 lbs (680 to 907 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thighs, or mix
• 1 (15 oz/425 g) can cannellini or navy beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 cups (946 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 (4 oz/113 g) cans diced green chili peppers, preferably fire-roasted, drained
• 1 cup (150 g) frozen corn kernels
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsps ground cumin
• 1.5 to 2 tsps kosher salt
• 0.5 tsp ground coriander
• 0.5 tsp dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• shredded monterey jack cheese
• lime wedges
• chopped cilantro
• sour cream
• hot sauce

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Layer whole chicken breasts in the slow cooker, creating a base with onions, celery, and mild green chilis to establish a flavor-rich foundation.
2. Seasoning: Distribute minced garlic, cumin, salt, coriander, oregano, and a bay leaf evenly across the chicken to infuse deep, aromatic complexity.
3. Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth over the ingredients, ensuring complete coverage and allowing the liquid to penetrate the entire mixture.
4. Cooking Process: Activate the slow cooker at HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6 hours, enabling the chicken to tenderize and spices to harmonize thoroughly.
5. Final Additions: Introduce cannellini beans and corn kernels during the last 30 minutes of cooking, allowing them to absorb the rich, spiced broth while maintaining their distinctive textures.
6. Meat Preparation: Extract chicken breasts, shred into delicate morsels using two forks, then reintegrate into the chili, creating a cohesive and satisfying dish.
7. Flavor Refinement: Remove the bay leaf and calibrate seasonings, adjusting salt, cumin, or black pepper to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
8. Serving Presentation: Transfer the robust chili into serving vessels and embellish with monterey jack cheese, lime wedges, cilantro, sour cream, and optional hot sauce for a personalized finishing touch.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Chop onions, celery, and green chilis uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor distribution.
• Spice Strategy: Toast ground cumin and coriander briefly before adding to enhance their aromatic qualities and deepen the chili’s complexity.
• Liquid Logic: Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and allow personal seasoning flexibility during final taste adjustments.
• Shredding Secrets: Let chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to retain moisture, making shredding easier and preventing dry meat.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg