Dreamy Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe for Cozy Nights

Crafting a hearty slow cooker white chicken chili promises comfort and warmth on chilly evenings.

Creamy textures blend with zesty spices that dance across your palate.

Tender chicken pieces nestle among soft white beans, creating a rich medley of flavors.

Home kitchens will buzz with anticipation as this simple yet satisfying meal simmers gently.

Minimal prep work means maximum enjoyment for busy cooks seeking delicious meals.

Nutritious ingredients combine effortlessly, turning an ordinary dinner into a memorable culinary experience.

Dive into this recipe and watch magic unfold in your kitchen.

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili: Hearty and Comforting

• Simplify Meal Prep: Toss ingredients into the slow cooker and let it work its magic with minimal hands-on cooking, perfect for busy households.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Creamy, hearty chili that satisfies everyone from kids to adults with its rich, flavorful profile and customizable toppings.
• Nutritious One-Pot Wonder: Packed with protein from chicken, fiber-rich beans, and veggies, delivering a balanced meal in a single delicious dish.
• Flexible Serving Options: Easy to adapt with various toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, or tortilla chips for a personalized dining experience.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that absorbs the rich flavors of the chili and provides a tender, hearty base for the dish.

• Onion: Adds a savory depth and aromatic foundation to the chili's flavor profile.
• Frozen Corn: Brings a sweet, fresh crunch and additional texture to the chili.
• Red Beans: Provides a creamy texture and plant-based protein to complement the chicken.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds moisture, acidity, and a vibrant color to the chili.

• Chicken Broth: Creates a flavorful liquid base that helps cook and infuse the ingredients.
• Ranch Dressing: Adds a tangy, creamy element that enhances the overall flavor.
• Cumin: Provides a warm, earthy spice characteristic of traditional chili.
• Chili Powder: Delivers a classic chili heat and depth of flavor.
• Cream Cheese: Melts into the chili, creating a rich, creamy, and luxurious texture.

How to Cook Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Base

Nestle chicken breasts into the slow cooker, ensuring they are positioned to absorb maximum flavor from surrounding ingredients.

Step 2: Build Flavor Foundation

• Diced onions
• Frozen corn kernels
• Red kidney beans
• Diced tomatoes with their juices
• Chicken broth

Step 3: Spice It Up

• Ranch seasoning
• Ground cumin
• Chili powder

Stir thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

• Low setting: 6-8 hours
• High setting: 3-4 hours

Cook until chicken becomes tender and flavors merge harmoniously.

Step 5: Transform Chicken

Approximately 30 minutes before serving, use two forks to shred chicken directly inside the slow cooker.

Step 6: Create Creamy Texture

Add cubed cream cheese and stir until completely melted, transforming the chili into a rich, velvety dish.

Step 7: Serve and Savor

Ladle the steaming white chicken chili into bowls and enjoy with family and friends.

Tips for Flavorful Slow Cooker Chili

• Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts to ensure the most tender, easy-to-shred meat in your chili.
• Toast cumin and chili powder in a dry skillet for a few minutes before adding to intensify their rich, aromatic qualities.
• Swap cream cheese with Greek yogurt or sour cream for a lighter, tangier alternative that still provides a delightful creamy texture.
• Replace chicken with turkey or white beans for a vegetarian version that maintains the chili's hearty, satisfying profile.
• Adjust chili powder and add a dash of cayenne pepper to dial up or down the heat according to your personal preference.

Variations on White Chicken Chili

• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Add diced jalapeños and a dash of hot sauce for those who love extra heat in their chili.
• Mediterranean Style: Replace red beans with chickpeas, add oregano, and top with crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Green Chili Verde: Swap tomatoes with green chiles, use tomatillo salsa, and add cilantro for a tangy green chili variation.
• Southwestern Fusion: Include black beans, bell peppers, and garnish with fresh avocado slices and lime wedges for a southwestern flair.

Perfect Pairings for Slow Cooker Chili

• Pair with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: The wine's bright acidity and herbal notes perfectly cut through the chili's creamy richness, balancing the dish's flavors and providing a refreshing contrast.
• Complement with Cornbread Muffins: Soft, slightly sweet cornbread muffins absorb the chili's delicious broth and add a delightful textural element to each comforting spoonful.
• Top with Fresh Cilantro Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro on top to introduce a burst of bright, herbaceous flavor that elevates the chili's depth and adds a fresh, zesty finish.
• Serve with Lime Wedges: Squeeze fresh lime juice just before eating to add a tangy brightness that awakens the chili's complex spices and cuts through the creamy texture.

How to Store Slow Cooker Chili Safely

Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the chili fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Transfer cooled chili to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, removing excess air, and freeze for up to 3 months for future enjoyment.

Place desired portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.

Pour chili into a saucepan, add a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying, warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated completely.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Just add an extra hour to the cooking time to ensure they’re fully cooked and tender.

• Is this chili spicy?

The recipe has a mild flavor. If you want more heat, add extra chili powder or include some diced jalapeños when cooking.

• Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Substitute the cream cheese with coconut cream or a dairy-free cream cheese alternative to keep the creamy texture.

• How can I make this chili more protein-rich?

Add extra beans like black beans or increase the amount of chicken for a more protein-packed meal.

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets Mexican-inspired flavors in this hearty Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili, packed with tender chicken, creamy beans, and zesty green chiles. Guaranteed to warm souls and delight hungry diners, you’ll savor every spoonful of this easy, satisfying meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, cubed

Vegetables and Beans:

• 1 onion, diced
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 can red beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup ranch salad dressing
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder

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Instructions

1. Position chicken breasts compactly within the slow cooker, ensuring maximum flavor absorption during cooking.
2. Layer diced onions, frozen corn, red beans, and tomatoes with their natural juices directly over the chicken, then gently pour chicken broth to cover the ingredients.
3. Distribute ranch dressing, ground cumin, and chili powder evenly throughout the mixture, thoroughly blending to create a uniform seasoning profile.
4. Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the chili to simmer on low temperature for 6-8 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours, enabling chicken to become tender and ingredients to harmonize.
5. Approximately 30 minutes before serving, use two forks to meticulously shred the chicken directly within the slow cooker, maintaining the dish’s internal temperature and moisture.
6. Introduce cubed cream cheese into the chili, stirring continuously until completely melted and integrated, transforming the texture into a rich, velvety consistency.
7. Transfer the hot chili into serving bowls, presenting a comforting meal that promises warmth and satisfaction for family and friends.

Notes

• Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts to ensure tender, easy-to-shred meat that absorbs flavors perfectly.
• Swap cream cheese with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed alternative that maintains the creamy consistency.
• Enhance spice levels by adding jalapeños or increasing chili powder for those who love a kick of heat.
• Prepare this dish ahead of time and freeze in portions for quick, nutritious meals during busy weeks.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 237 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 530 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg