Simple & Soulful Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe

White chicken chili redefines ordinary ingredients into a soul-warming culinary experience that captures comfort in every spoonful.

Crafted with tender meat and creamy beans, this slow cooker marvel brings robust southwestern-inspired flavors to your dining table.

Gentle spices weave through the broth, creating a harmonious blend that tingles your taste buds without overwhelming them.

Hearty and nutritious, this chili offers a delightful alternative to traditional red chili recipes.

Families and friends will appreciate the rich, layered taste that develops during slow cooking.

Each bowl promises a delicious journey through familiar yet exciting flavor profiles.

You’ll find this recipe becomes an instant favorite for weeknight dinners and casual gatherings.

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Pairing Ideas

• Craft a Zesty Mexican-Inspired Beverage Pairing: Complement the white chicken chili's rich flavors with a crisp, citrusy Mexican cerveza like Modelo Especial or a tangy margarita that cuts through the chili's warmth and enhances its spicy undertones.
• Select Creamy Cheese Accompaniments: Sprinkle sharp white cheddar or pepper jack cheese to add depth and creaminess. Crumbled queso fresco provides a traditional Mexican touch that balances the chili's robust spices and tender chicken.
• Design a Fresh Herb-Focused Side Salad: Prepare a light cilantro-lime salad with mixed greens, diced avocado, and a zesty vinaigrette. This refreshing side dish will cleanse the palate and echo the chili's bright, herbal notes while offering a cool contrast to the warm, hearty stew.
• Bake Crispy Cornbread Triangles: Whip up jalapeño-cheddar cornbread as a perfect dunking companion that absorbs the chili's flavorful broth and provides a satisfying textural crunch to complement the tender chicken and soft beans.

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili: Fun Variations

• Spicy Southwest Sensation: Add diced jalapeños and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for extra heat. Swap chicken broth with fire-roasted tomato broth to enhance the robust flavor profile.
• Green Chili Verde Edition: Replace regular chicken with roasted chicken and incorporate tomatillos for a tangy green chili base. Sprinkle in extra fresh cilantro and use poblano peppers for deeper complexity.
• Creamy Ranch Style: Mix in ranch seasoning packet and cream cheese during final 30 minutes. Incorporate crispy bacon bits and green onions as garnish for richer, more indulgent texture.
• Protein Power Bowl: Substitute chicken with ground turkey or shredded pork. Add quinoa or brown rice directly into slow cooker for a complete meal. Top with avocado slices and protein-packed Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

• Effortless One-Pot Wonder: This slow cooker white chicken chili transforms complex flavors into a simple, hands-off meal that practically prepares itself while you go about your day.
• Protein-Packed Comfort: Loaded with tender shredded chicken and hearty beans, this chili delivers a satisfying protein punch that keeps you full and energized without feeling heavy.
• Southwest Flavor Explosion: Cumin, coriander, and green chilis create a vibrant, warm spice profile that transports your taste buds to a cozy Southwestern kitchen with every single bite.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: The recipe's versatile base allows for endless topping combinations, making it perfect for family dinners, game day gatherings, or casual weeknight meals that everyone will love.

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili: Essential Ingredients

• Chicken: Lean protein that forms the hearty base of the chili, best with boneless skinless breasts or thighs for tender texture.
• Chicken Broth: Provides essential liquid and deep flavor for the chilis base, choose low-sodium for better control of salt content.

• Onion, Celery: Classic flavor builders that add depth and subtle sweetness to the chili.
• Green Chilis: Mild peppers that contribute a gentle heat and southwestern flavor profile.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that enhances overall taste and provides a robust background note.

• Cumin, Coriander, Oregano: Traditional southwestern spice blend that creates authentic chili flavor and complexity.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that balances and enhances other ingredients.
• Bay Leaf: Adds subtle herbal undertone and depth to the overall dish.

• Beans: Protein-rich ingredient that adds texture and substance to the chili.
• Corn: Sweet kernel that provides additional texture and mild flavor contrast.

• Cheese, Lime, Cilantro, Sour Cream, Hot Sauce: Customizable garnishes that allow personal flavor adjustment.

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili: Easy Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker Base

Place chicken and all spices into a 6-quart slow cooker. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of flavors. The combination of herbs and spices will create a rich, aromatic foundation for your chili.

Step 2: Add Liquid and Start Cooking

Pour chicken broth over the ingredients, making sure everything is completely covered. Select your cooking time: 4 hours on HIGH or 6 hours on LOW. This slow cooking method allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

Step 3: Final Touches

30 minutes before cooking ends, add beans and corn. This timing helps maintain their texture and prevents overcooking. Taste and adjust seasonings as you like.

Step 4: Shred and Serve

• Shredded cheese
• Fresh lime juice
• Chopped cilantro
• Sour cream
• Hot sauce

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Tips for the Best Taste

• Boost Flavor Depth: Toast cumin and coriander in a dry skillet before adding to enhance their aromatic qualities and create a more complex taste profile.
• Prevent Dry Chicken: Use bone-in chicken breasts or thighs to ensure moist, tender meat that doesn't dry out during slow cooking.
• Customize Heat Level: Adjust spiciness by choosing mild, medium, or hot green chilis, or mix different types of peppers for a personalized kick.
• Thicken Chili Perfectly: Mash some beans against the side of the slow cooker or use a quick cornstarch slurry to achieve your desired consistency.
• Maximize Freshness: Add fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and crisp toppings just before serving to brighten the overall flavor and add textural contrast.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers of Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

• Refrigeration: Store leftover chili in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Properly sealed, this hearty dish will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, maintaining its delicious flavor and texture.
• Freezing: Carefully transfer cooled chili to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn, and freeze for up to 3 months. Frozen chili provides a quick and comforting meal for busy nights.
• Reheating: Thaw refrigerated or frozen chili in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of chicken broth if the chili seems too thick.

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

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

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Description

Hearty white chicken chili simmers with creamy comfort, blending tender chicken, white beans, and green chiles in a rich, aromatic broth. Minimal prep and slow cooking create a soul-warming meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thighs, or a mix (680 to 907 grams)

Beans and Vegetables:

• 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini or navy beans, drained and rinsed (425 grams)
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 (4-ounce) cans diced green chili peppers, preferably “fire-roasted,” drained (113 grams)
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels (150 grams)

Spices and Liquids:

• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (946 milliliters)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1.5 to 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground coriander
• 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf

For serving:

• Shredded monterey jack cheese
• Lime wedges
• Chopped cilantro
• Sour cream
• Hot sauce

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Instructions

1. Nestle whole chicken breasts into the slow cooker, creating a base layer with freshly chopped onions, diced celery, and mild green chilis for a robust flavor foundation.
2. Sprinkle minced garlic, ground cumin, salt, ground coriander, dried oregano, and a single bay leaf across the chicken, ensuring an even distribution of aromatic spices.
3. Gently pour low-sodium chicken broth (32 fluid ounces / 946 milliliters) over the ingredients, completely covering the chicken and vegetable mixture.
4. Set the slow cooker to HIGH temperature and cook for 4 hours, or alternatively use LOW temperature for 6 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and flavors to meld.
5. During the final 30 minutes of cooking, introduce rinsed cannellini beans and sweet corn kernels, which will absorb the rich, spiced broth while maintaining their distinct textures.
6. Carefully remove the chicken breasts and use two forks to shred the meat into succulent, bite-sized pieces, then return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
7. Discard the bay leaf and taste the chili, adjusting seasonings with additional salt, cumin, or black pepper as needed for a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
8. Ladle the hearty white chicken chili into serving bowls and garnish with optional toppings such as shredded monterey jack cheese, fresh lime wedges, chopped cilantro, tangy sour cream, and your favorite hot sauce.

Notes

• Spice Magic Unleashed: Transform bland chicken into a flavor explosion with a bold spice blend that dances on your taste buds.
• Slow Cooker Simplicity: Dump ingredients, walk away, and return to a magical pot of comfort that requires zero culinary expertise.
• Protein Power Play: Tender shredded chicken becomes the star, soaking up every drop of zesty broth and spice combination.
• Texture Triumph: Creamy beans and sweet corn kernels create a satisfying contrast that makes each bite interesting and delightful.
• Topping Wonderland: Customize your chili with fresh garnishes that add bright, cool crunch and personalized flair to your bowl.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 310 kcal
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 740mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 26g
• Cholesterol: 60mg