Crockpot White Chicken Chili – This creamy, zesty dish is a delicious twist on traditional chili, perfect for chilly nights or busy weeknights. Packed with tender chicken, white beans, green chilies, and spices, it’s a crowd-pleaser that requires minimal effort thanks to the magic of your slow cooker.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-Off Cooking: Set it and forget it—your crockpot does all the work.
- Flavor-Packed: The combination of spices, green chilies, and creamy ingredients creates a robust taste profile.
- Healthy Yet Indulgent: Loaded with lean protein and fiber, yet rich and creamy.
- Customizable: Easy to adapt to various dietary preferences or spice levels.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a quick list of the ingredients to ensure your White Chicken Chili turns out perfect every time:
- Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
- White Beans: Cannellini beans or Great Northern beans work best.
- Green Chilies: Add mild or spicy diced green chilies for flavor.
- Onion and Garlic: Essential for depth and aroma.
- Chicken Broth: Opt for low-sodium for better control over seasoning.
- Cream Cheese or Sour Cream: For a creamy, tangy finish.
- Spices: Cumin, chili powder, and oregano bring warmth and complexity.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect White Chicken Chili
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: For an even quicker version, shred store-bought rotisserie chicken and add it during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Boost the Creaminess: Blend a portion of the beans with some broth before adding to the pot for an ultra-creamy texture.
- Layer Flavors: Saute onions and garlic before adding them to the crockpot for a deeper flavor profile.
- Adjust Spice Levels: If you prefer a milder dish, use fewer green chilies or substitute with diced tomatoes.
Variations to Try
This versatile recipe can be easily tailored to suit your preferences:
- Low-Carb Option: Skip the beans and add extra chicken or low-carb veggies like cauliflower or zucchini.
- Vegetarian: Swap chicken with extra beans, chickpeas, or even jackfruit for a plant-based version.
- Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Toppings Galore: From shredded cheese and avocado slices to crushed tortilla chips and cilantro, toppings can make your chili even more indulgent.
How to Serve Crockpot White Chicken Chili
This chili is best served warm with your favorite toppings. Here are a few ideas:
- Over Rice: Spoon it over fluffy rice for a hearty meal.
- With Cornbread: Pair with a slice of sweet cornbread for a classic combo.
- As a Dip: Serve with tortilla chips for a party-friendly appetizer.
- Taco-Style: Use it as a filling for soft tortillas, adding shredded cheese and lettuce.
How to Store and Reheat White Chicken Chili
Storage: Let the chili cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: White Chicken Chili freezes well. Place in freezer-safe containers, leaving a bit of space for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through. Add a splash of broth if it thickened too much during storage.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken in the crockpot?
Yes! You can add frozen chicken directly to the crockpot, but ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
What’s the best way to thicken White Chicken Chili?
Blending some of the beans or adding a slurry of cornstarch and water will give your chili a thicker consistency.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the cream cheese with coconut cream or a dairy-free alternative.
What kind of beans should I use?
White beans like cannellini, Great Northern, or navy beans are ideal for this dish.
Can I cook this on high?
Yes, you can cook it on high for 3-4 hours instead of low for 6-8 hours if you’re short on time.
Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Crockpot White Chicken Chili - This creamy, zesty dish is a delicious twist on traditional chili, perfect for chilly nights or busy weeknights. Packed with tender chicken, white beans, green chilies, and spices, it’s a crowd-pleaser that requires minimal effort thanks to the magic of your slow cooker.
Ingredients
- Chicken: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Beans: 2 cans (15 oz each) great Northern beans, rinsed
- Green Chilies: 2 cans (4 oz each, one hot, one mild)
- Broth: 24 oz low-sodium chicken broth
- Veggies: 1 diced yellow onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 can (15 oz) drained corn
- Spices: 1 tsp cumin, ¾ tsp oregano, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp chili powder, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- Creamy Finish: 4 oz softened reduced-fat cream cheese, ¼ cup half-and-half
- Fresh Touch: A handful of chopped cilantro
- Optional Toppings: Sour cream, jalapeños, avocado slices, tortilla strips, shredded cheese, or more cilantro.
Instructions
- Layer Ingredients: Place chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and cayenne. Add onion, garlic, beans, chilies, corn, broth, and cilantro. Stir gently.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours (or HIGH for 3-4 hours).
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is tender, remove it, shred it in a bowl, and return it to the slow cooker.
- Creamy Magic: Stir in softened cream cheese and half-and-half. Cook on HIGH for 15 minutes until the chili thickens and becomes creamy.
- Pro Tip: For a smooth blend, whisk cream cheese with a few ladles of hot chili in a bowl before adding it back to the pot.
- Serve & Top: Stir well and ladle into bowls. Pile on your favorite toppings like sour cream, tortilla strips, or shredded cheese.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 383Total Fat 16gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 88mgSodium 596mgCarbohydrates 25gFiber 8gSugar 3gProtein 36g
Dinnerfocus.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
With this guide, you’re all set to create the most flavorful and comforting Crockpot White Chicken Chili. Whether you’re serving it for a cozy family dinner or meal prepping for the week, it’s a recipe that’s guaranteed to impress. Don’t forget to let me know how it turns out in the comments below!
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