Creamy Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
A comforting and creamy white chicken chili made effortlessly in a slow cooker with cream cheese, tender chicken, and mild spices. Perfect for cozy dinners and easy weeknight meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 7 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 7 hours 15 minutes (low) or 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds / 680 grams)
- 2 cans (15 oz / 425 grams each) white beans (great northern or cannellini), drained and rinsed
- 8 oz (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups (720 ml) low sodium chicken broth
- 1 can (4 oz / 115 grams) mild diced green chilies
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh cilantro for garnish
- Optional: 1 small jalapeño, seeded and chopped
Instructions
- Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves. If using jalapeño, remove seeds and chop finely. Drain and rinse the canned white beans and green chilies.
- Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle chopped onion, garlic, green chilies, and optional jalapeño evenly over the chicken.
- Pour the drained white beans on top. Sprinkle ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper over everything.
- Add 3 cups of low-sodium chicken broth, ensuring ingredients are mostly submerged but not swimming.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until chicken is tender and easy to shred.
- Remove chicken breasts with tongs and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
- Cut softened cream cheese into chunks and stir into the chili until melted and fully combined.
- Let chili cook on low for another 15 to 20 minutes with cream cheese, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Ladle chili into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice if desired.
Notes
Soften cream cheese before adding to avoid lumps. Shred chicken directly in the slow cooker to retain juices. Taste and adjust seasoning midway through cooking. Add extra broth or water if chili is too thick after adding cream cheese. For stovetop cooking, simmer on low for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1.5 cups (350
- Calories: 350400
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 6
- Protein: 30
Keywords: white chicken chili, slow cooker chili, creamy chili, easy dinner, comfort food, slow cooker recipe, chicken chili, cream cheese chili