Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili is a cozy and hearty meal made with tender chicken, creamy white beans, and a blend of aromatic spices. This easy slow cooker recipe delivers rich, comforting flavors with minimal effort, making it perfect for chilly evenings, family dinners, or casual gatherings. Packed with lean protein and fiber, it’s a nutritious dish that can be customized to your taste or dietary needs.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (low) or 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American Southwestern
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Beans and Vegetables
- 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini or Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (4 oz) canned green chilies
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids
Spices
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
Creaminess
- 6 oz cream cheese or ½ cup sour cream, softened
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Chop the onion and mince the garlic to create the flavorful base of the chili. Drain and rinse the white beans to ensure the right texture and reduce excess sodium.
- Layer Ingredients in the Slow Cooker: Place the chicken breasts or thighs at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the drained beans, canned green chilies, chopped onion, minced garlic, chicken broth, and then sprinkle the cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper evenly on top. Layering in this order ensures even cooking and flavor blending.
- Cook Low and Slow: Set the slow cooker to low heat for 6 to 8 hours or high heat for 3 to 4 hours. Allow the ingredients to meld together and the chicken to become tender enough for easy shredding.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir to combine, infusing every bite with juicy chicken flavor.
- Add Creaminess and Adjust Seasoning: Stir in softened cream cheese or sour cream until the chili is smooth and creamy. Taste and season with additional salt, pepper, or spices according to your preference.
Notes
- Choose chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful chili or breasts for a lighter dish.
- Rinsing canned beans reduces excess sodium and improves texture.
- Layer ingredients thoughtfully to prevent burning and promote even cooking.
- Use fresh onion and garlic for richer flavor.
- If the chili becomes too thick towards the end of cooking, add a splash of chicken broth or water to reach desired consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: slow cooker, white chicken chili, comfort food, easy chili, creamy chili, white bean chili, healthy chili, cozy dinner