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Creamy white chicken chili is made with shredded chicken, white beans, corn, green chiles, and cream cheese. This flavor-loaded Southwest chili recipe includes Crockpot and stovetop instructions.
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Have you heard? This very white bean chicken chili recipe, along with my three bean chili recipe, was published in Brian Baumgartner's Seriously Good Chili Cookbook released September 2022. Fans of The Office know actor Brian as Kevin Malone – and who could ever forget his famous chili scene?! I'm so honored to have my chili recipes included in the project.
Why you'll love this recipe
- The combination of simple, budget-friendly ingredients make this chili unbelievably flavorful and comforting.
- Conveniently make white chicken chili in the Crockpot or on the stovetop.
- The recipe prep time is only 10 minutes and there's no cutting raw chicken, which makes for easy cleanup.
- White beans, boneless chicken, and Southwest seasonings make white chili a unique and delicious change from classic beef chili.
- You'll see how to thicken white chicken chili without adding unnecessary ingredients.
- Serve white chicken chili at family dinners or game day gatherings.
Key ingredients
Ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card below.
- chicken - I like to use chicken thighs for this recipe because they stay juicy and tender, especially with the longer-cooking Crockpot method. If using boneless skinless chicken breasts, visit the recipe footnote for timing recommendations.
- chicken broth - Use your favorite chicken broth or vegetable broth.
- white beans - Use any variety of canned or pre-cooked white beans such as Great Northern beans, navy beans, or cannellini beans.
- onions - Use any color onions for this recipe.
- corn - Use frozen, fresh, or canned corn.
- canned diced green chiles - These add distinct Southwest flavor
- garlic cloves - I recommend fresh garlic over granulated, but of course, use what you have on hand.
- cumin, chili powder, and oregano - These are essential seasonings to this Southwest chili.
- cream cheese - This adds a layer of flavor and richness that also makes white bean chicken chili undeniably white.
How to make white chicken chili in the Crockpot
These step-by-step photos offer a visual guide for the slow cooker method. You'll also find stove top instructions in the printable recipe below. Enjoy!
Step 1. Place chicken, white beans, onions, corn, green chiles, garlic, oregano, chili powder, cumin, black pepper, and chicken broth in a 6-quart slow cooker. Cover and set the slow cooker on HIGH for 2-4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours.
Step 2. Confirm that the cooked chicken has reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit on a meat thermometer. Then transfer it out of the slow cooker and shred into bite-sized pieces.
Step 3. Add shredded chicken back to the chili. Add cream cheese to the chili and stir until well-combined.
Pro tip: To make white chili thicker without adding other ingredients, use a potato masher to mash some of the beans right inside the Crockpot until the chili thickens to your liking.
What to serve with white chicken chili
Serve white chili with toppings like cilantro, avocado, sour cream or lime crema, fresh lime, jalapeños, and Cotija cheese or other variety. Of course, a hunk of cornbread or this savory beer bread recipe will add another level of comfort to chili. Cilantro lime rice or a healthy green salad with avocado ranch dressing would also make delicious sides.
Recipe variations
- This white chili recipe is moderately spicy. You can adjust the heat level to make it hotter or milder by adjusting the amount of green chiles to your liking.
- Using reduced-sodium versions of ingredients such as chicken broth and canned beans allows you have complete control over the salt for this recipe. Of course you can also omit the stated salt amount and season the cooked chili to taste.
- Add contrasting color to this recipe by replacing some of the white beans with canned or pressure cooked black beans.
- You can substitute canned white beans with dried white beans. To do this, I recommend soaking dried beans for 8 hours and slow cooking them for 8 hours on the LOW setting, or longer, if needed.
- Fresh chicken can be substituted with store-bought rotisserie chicken or leftovers from recipes such as Instant Pot shredded chicken and pressure cooker whole chicken. In all cases, I recommend adding it near the end of the cook cycle to prevent overcooking it.
- When you make white chicken chili with cream cheese, it adds a layer of irresistible flavor and richness. Of course, you can omit it, which would make this chili dairy-free.
Chicken thighs or breasts
You can use either for this recipe, but the cook time varies. When using the Crockpot method, I prefer to make white chicken chili with chicken thighs because they're effortlessly juicy, even with prolonged cooking. Chicken breasts are lean, which means they're easily overcooked in a slow cooker because they lack fat and connective tissue needed to stay juicy once they're fully cooked. If using chicken breasts, visit the recipe footnotes to get my timing recommendations for optimal results.
Storage instructions
Allow chili to cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container or freezer-safe packaging. Refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze up to 90 days (or longer if vacuum sealed). Thaw in the refrigerator for 8 hours.
More easy dinner favorites
- Turkey Chili Recipe
- Lentil Chili
- Ham and Beans
- Best Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Crockpot Corned Beef
- Kale and White Bean Soup
- Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
- Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili
📖 Recipe
Creamy White Chicken Chili Recipe
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Video
When scaling the recipe 2x or 3x, the gray ingredient note stays the same. Adjust quantities accordingly.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, or boneless breast
- 3 (15-ounce cans) White Beans (drained), (same as 4 ½ cups cooked beans)
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- 2 (4-ounce cans) Diced Green Chiles, keep the juice
- ½ medium Onion, diced
- 1 cup Corn (canned, fresh, or frozen)
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1-3 teaspoons Dried Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- ¼ teaspoon Chili Powder (not chile powder)
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 4 ounces Cream Cheese, or sour cream
Instructions
Crockpot instructions (see footnotes for stove instructions)
- Place CHICKEN THIGHS, WHITE BEANS, CHICKEN BROTH, GREEN CHILIS, ONION, CORN, GARLIC, CUMIN, CHILI POWDER, OREGANO, SALT, and BLACK PEPPER in the slow cooker.* See footnote about using chicken breasts
- Cover the slow cooker and set on HIGH for 2-4 hours or on LOW for 6-8 hours. (Slow cooker times may vary)
- Transfer chicken out of the cooker, shred, and stir back into the chili.
- Stir CREAM CHEESE into the chili until well-combined.
- (optional) To make the chili creamy, use a potato masher to mash some of the beans right in the pot until the chili has thickened to your liking.
Serving and storage
- Serve warm with your choice of toppings. Ideas include: cilantro, lime, avocado, jalapeños, sour cream, shredded cheese.
- To store, cool chili completely and refrigerate in an airtight container up to five days.
Equipment
- can opener if using canned beans
- 6 quart slow cooker or 4-quart soup pot
Carol says
I've made this recipe a number of times and am looking forward to making it again for my family again this Christmas. So good, so easy and everyone raves!
Traci says
Yay!! I always love when the family wants more 🙂 Thank you so much for letting me know! Enjoy!
KC says
Find a different chilli recipe and thank me later. You going to erase this comment as well? Gave my honest opinion!
Traci says
Hello, I have no problem with opinions. Your comment was backlogged pending approval, but never erased. It's published below this one. Thanks
KC says
WAYYY too much oregano! Don't use cream cheese, use sour cream at the end. And more Chicken 1lbs is not enough.
Crystal Stevens says
Hello, If I wanted to double this recipe would it still fit in a 6 quart slow cooker or would I need to go bigger? I am making this for a work potluck and would need more than what one recipe makes.
Traci says
Hi Crystal! Yes, the 6 quart slow cooker will easily accommodate this chili when doubled. I'm excited you're making this chili for your workplace. It's so easy and perfect for that! Here's a fitting story you can tell when you serve it – this recipe was recently published in the Seriously Good Chili Cookbook authored by Brian Baumgartner aka Kevin from The Office 😉 Let me know if you have any more recipe questions. I'm here for it ... enjoy!!
Stephannie says
Loved this recipe! I’ve been using a similar one from an old cooking magazine for years, but this one was tastier and easier than that one. It was a hit with both kids and adults in my house, which is very rare! I made it on the stovetop and I used cooked shredded chicken that I had on hand. Delicious, thank you!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awww such a compliment! I'm so glad to inspire the ease of use and your family's love for it. Honored, actually 🙂 Thanks for letting me know. It's one of our favorites too! xoxo
Donna says
Great chili recipe! Loved it with cheese, cilantro, lime and hot sauce on top.
The Kitchen Girl says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Donna 🙂 White chicken chili is definitely one of our favorites. Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback. I really appreciate it!
Karen says
Can this be made in the instant pot? If so how long would you cook?
The Kitchen Girl says
Hi Karen, if I were to cook this in my 6-quart Instant Pot, I would most likely add all of the ingredients to the Instant Pot (adding chicken on top of the ingredients) and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes with a 10 minute natural pressure release. Let me know if you have more questions 🙂
Alison says
Chili in the slow-cooker is one of my go-to meals in the fall as we all get used to the busy back to school schedule. I love all the spices in this chili
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Alison! Love hearing this...and those spices get the best of me too 🙂
Toni says
This quickly became a favorite at my house! Taste really good!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much, Toni. Glad to hear it...day made! 🙂
Julia says
I love recipes like this chili. It's hearty and delicious plus has an easy prep!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Julia 🙂 Yes, the easiest prep ever!!
Beth Neels says
I just love dump and go crockpot recipes. I couldn't resist making it! We love it so much! I love the white beans and all of the veges. The beans add so much volume! My whole family loved it! Can't wait to make it again!
Traci Antonovich says
Awesome, Beth! So glad you enjoyed it...makes my day! 🙂
Raia Todd says
Definitely comfort food! Love the addition of corn.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Raia! Yes...the corn makes it! 🙂
Charon says
My son can’t eat corn. Do you have a healthy alternative to suggest that would add the color, texture and flavor interest the corn contributes? Thanks!
Traci Antonovich says
Hi Charon, I would try yellow or red bell peppers diced up or riced cauliflower. Either should add texture, flavor, and a nice color contrast to the white chili. Hope that helps! 🙂
Sherry says
Do I cook the chicken before placing it in the
crockpot?
Traci Antonovich says
Hi Sherry, this recipe calls for uncooked chicken. I'll make sure that's more clear in the recipe. Let me know if you have any more questions. Thanks! 🙂
Mark Henry says
Yum Yum... very nice ... Loved it 🙂
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much Mark! Glad you loved it 🙂
Ginny says
I love crock~pot cooking especially for soups, chilis and stews. Mild green chilies go so well with white beans in a chili like this.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Ginny! I couldn't agree more...and so easy. You just throw and go! 🙂
Jillian says
Quick prep & delicious - my favorite things!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Jillian! Yep quick and delicious all the way! 🙂
Joyce says
whoa cool, white chili!! 😀 I am loving how easy everything put together and how I don't need to babysit my stove! Thank you for this recipe! 😀
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Joyce! Yep, no babysitting THIS one! Just drop the ingredients and go get stuff done! My fav kind of crockpot cooking 🙂
Jessica Levinson says
Fix it and forget it is just the kind of dinner I need for busy weeknights! This will be perfect!
Traci Antonovich says
Haha thanks Jessica, fix and forget it exactly right! My favorite meals on busy days for sure! 🙂
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Winter is the perfect time of year to get that slow cooker and and start cooking. I am notoriously bad for actually using mine. I must make more of an effort.
Traci Antonovich says
Oh Jacqueline, this is THE perfect recipe to break you back in. You literally drop everything in and go away for hours. No pre-cooking, no searing, etc. Drop and run 🙂
Pam says
This sounds healthy, delicious and easy! I love thickening sauces and soups with beans too!
Traci Antonovich says
Ahhh, you do that trick too? I love it! It saves money, and doesn't add any extra calories or carbs to the mix! Thanks for noticing 🙂
Nichole says
We have cold and dreary weather in Kansas already, and this soup looks like just the fix I need to warm me up! I love "set it and forget it" cooking as well especially when I get to smell something as delicious as that white chicken chili simmering in the slow cooker all day! 🙂
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Nichole! I think you'll find this to be the perfect antidote for a dreary, midwest day 🙂
Sandi says
You are totally killing it with all of these yummy recipes lately. I love your old crock pot...mine is ancient too. I think the old ones were built to last forever.
Traci Antonovich says
Sandi, you're killin me with that lovely comment...thank you! Yea, the old school crockpot truly cooks "slow". From what I've seen and read, some of the newer ones heat control cycles are too short to cook away from home during the average work day. I'm hanging on to my orange beast 🙂
Amy at cooking1handed.com says
I love recipes that use what I have in my pantry! I'm from New Mexico so I always have about 12 cans of green chiles ready and waiting...you can never have too many. This looks like a perfect dish for the cool nights of fall.
Traci Antonovich says
Haha, can I borrow a few cans of those chilis? Last time I went to make this chili, I had zero LOL. Thanks for stopping by!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
Mmmm. I love that you use chicken thighs in this delicious chili!! I love white chili and this looks absolutely perfect!! Especially when it involves a slow cooker!! I will be trying your delicious chili this weekend!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Elaine! Yeah, I'm with you on the chicken thighs...you can cook them all day and they don't dry out. Thanks for commenting...hope you love this recipe!