Crockpot White Chicken Chili

4.80 from 10 votes
23 Comments

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Crockpot white chicken chili is so easy to throw together in the slow cooker on a cold day. Versatile enough to make as mild or spicy as you like!

Two bowls of white chicken chili with white beans, chicken, Jack cheese, and sour cream.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients for Crockpot White Chicken Chili
  2. Steps to Make Crockpot White Chicken Chili
  3. Use Cooked Chicken for Crockpot White Chicken Chili
  4. Type of Beans for Crockpot White Chicken Chili
  5. More Tasty Options
  6. Instructions for Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
  7. Stovetop Instructions
  8. Frequently Asked Questions
  9. Storing and Reheating Crockpot White Chicken Chili
  10. More Chili Recipes
  11. How to Make Crockpot White Chicken Chili
  12. Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe

There is nothing better than gathering around a warm pot of soup with friends and family on a crisp evening. During the colder temperatures, we all have comfort food on the brain, and this Crockpot white chicken chili is one of our favorites to make when there’s a chill in the air. Since it simmers in the slow cooker all day, your house will smell divine!

Tender, shredded chicken combined with buttery white beans and just the right amount of kick makes this recipe a family hit! Around these parts we enjoy a good amount of spice, so we love to use El Pinto HOT Green Chili Salsa. It’s pretty spicy but so very delicious! If you like it more mild, La Victoria mild green salsa is a tamer alternative and tastes just as glorious. That is the beauty of this recipe you can make it as mild or spicy as you want!

Ingredients for Crockpot White Chicken Chili

Don’t let this list of crockpot white chicken chili ingredients scare you! These are all pantry staple ingredients that can stored and ready to go when craving this soup. Kids to adults will be raving about this chili!

  • Onions – Slice and dice an onion for sauteing. This will enhance the flavors instantly.
  • Oil – Heat a skillet and use the oil to cook the onions.
  • Green salsa – Adds additional heat with a thicker texture.
  • Corn – Fresh or frozen corn is a great way to add that sweet texture and a beautiful golden yellow kernel to the chili.
  • White beans – Any kind of white bean will work great. It comes down to the size of the beans that you prefer in your chili. You can use white kidney beans, cannellini beans, navy beans, great northern beans, or we can use these Rancho Gordo Alubia Blanca Beans.
  • Chicken broth – Adds liquid and flavor enhancers to the white chicken chili.
  • Chicken – Protein that adds flavor and more depth to the chili. You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts already cooked.
  • Cream cheese – Gives the crockpot white chicken chili a creamy texture with a sweet and tangy flavor.
  • Lime – Fresh lime juice squeezed into the chili for a zesty flavor.
  • Seasonings – Cumin and chili powder add that sweet and savory spice to the easy crockpot dinner.
  • Cheese – Monterey jack cheese shredded and melted into the crockpot soup.
  • Garnish – Tortilla chips can be crunched or set on top for an additional crunchy texture.
A Crock Pot with white beans, chopped chicken, green salsa, and corn.


Steps to Make Crockpot White Chicken Chili

You can’t go wrong with this crockpot white chicken chili! It is so simple to cook and make. Dump all the ingredients into the crockpot and let it do all the work!

  1. Cook – In a large saucepan, cook onion in hot oil over medium heat. After it is caramelized a little bit, add the green salsa. Heat for about 3 minutes.
  2. Combine – Add salsa mixture to the crockpot and add corn, beans, broth, cooked chicken, cream cheese (optional), lime juice, and seasonings. Cook on high for 4 hours.
  3. Melt – About 10 minutes before serving, add the shredded cheese and stir until melted (this is how we like it best).
  4. Serving – You can also serve the cheese on the side as a garnish. Serve with tortilla chips, cilantro, avocado, or any other preferred garnishes.

Use Cooked Chicken for Crockpot White Chicken Chili

We like using chicken that is already cooked for this recipe, just to make things easier. Most of the time we will use the chicken breast or chicken thighs from a rotisserie chicken. You can also use leftover chicken from a previous meal or even leftover cooked turkey. This is a great way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers.

You can use uncooked chicken and shred it afterward but because a crockpot or slow cooker takes a while to come up to high enough temperatures the chicken could be sitting in the “risky” temperature zone for too long. If you want to use uncooked chicken, it would probably be better to use the Instant Pot (see notes below).

Dry white beans being poured into a Crockpot.

Type of Beans for Crockpot White Chicken Chili

If you have dry beans on hand, you can use dry beans instead of canned. You will need to add more liquid and cooking time to the chili. We love using these Rancho Gordo dry beans that are freshly grown and packed in California.

Simply rinse the beans then add them to the Crockpot with the other ingredients and cover with about 2″ of chicken broth. This will allow enough liquid for the beans to absorb. Add one to two hours to the cooking time to allow enough time for the beans to soften. 

More Tasty Options

Take your crockpot white chicken chili to the next level by including all or some of these easy add-ins and garnishes! Make it creamy, change the flavors, or garnish with your favorites. These options make crockpot white chicken chili stand out in the crowd!

  • Cream cheese – Delicious if you want to make it a thick and creamy white chicken chili.
  • Sour cream – Always a creamy choice when adding to a white chicken chili recipe. Tangy and delicious in every bite!
  • Green chiles – Spice up your white chicken chili with just the right amount of green chiles from a can.
  • Avocado – Slice the avocado into thin strips or cut it into chunks for a delicious addition.
  • Fresh cilantro – Place a couple of cilantro pieces overtop the chili in a bowl.
  • Lime wedges – Slice and cut a fresh lime to add appearance and use it to squeeze additional lime juice into the crockpot white chicken chili.
A close up of a bowl of chili made with chicken and white beans.

Instructions for Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

If you need dinner on the table in a hurry, you can always cook up this chili in the Instant Pot. The best thing about using an Instant Pot is that you can use uncooked, frozen chicken breasts, or thighs because the chicken will be brought up to temperature quickly. This is a great alternative if you don’t have cooked chicken on hand.

Simply add all the ingredients, adding the liquids first and making sure the beans are on top (if the beans are on the bottom you will get a burn notice, the beans sink and burn easily). Cook on high pressure for 35 minutes if using thawed chicken, and 45 minutes for frozen chicken.

Stovetop Instructions

If you prefer cooking on the stovetop, make step 1 as directed below in a large pot on the stove. Once the onions are cooked through, add the remaining ingredients to the pot. Cover and simmer on low for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

“Made this for a chili pot luck at school and it’s sooo yummy.”

-Courtney

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicken Chili Gluten Free?

The only ingredient that may make this recipe not gluten-free is the chicken broth. Most chicken broths are gluten-free but it is always a good idea to just check the labels to be sure. You can substitute with water or some decent gluten-free chicken broth varieties are specifically labeled as such if you are uncertain.

Can I use frozen chicken in a crockpot white chicken chili?

It is best to thaw the chicken ahead of time and add it to the crockpot. Some chicken may or may not heat properly. This will ensure safe food regulations too.

How long should I cook white chicken chili in a crockpot?

We like to cook it for 6 to 8 hours on low and high heat for three to four hours.

Can I overcook white chicken chili in a crockpot?

Yes! You can overcook the chicken or have mushy beans if it is overcooked. Check for doneness about 30 minutes prior to being done. This will ensure the chili is being cooked properly.

Do I need to brown the chicken before adding it to the crockpot?

Browning the chicken ahead of time gives the chicken a crispy outside with a tender inside. It does help to hold together when cooking in the slow cooker.

A close up of a Crock Pot with white chicken chili and a scoop being lifted from the pot.

Storing and Reheating Crockpot White Chicken Chili

We love to store and reheat this crockpot white chicken chili recipe either in the freezer or refrigerator. Place the chili in an airtight container and store. When ready to reheat allow to thaw and place in the microwave or on the stovetop for best results!

  • Freezing – This recipe doesn’t have any type of creams or cheeses as written so it can easily be frozen. Simply place your chili in an airtight container or freezer-safe zip-top bag and freeze for up to three months. Just wait to add your shredded cheese until re-heated and ready to serve.
  • Storing – A good rule of thumb when storing soup with chicken in the fridge is three to four days, for maximum freshness.
  • Reheating – Allow the whole thing to thaw completely in the refrigerator, then simmer on the stove until hot but not boiling, stirring often to prevent scorching. Then, add your cheese and enjoy!

More Chili Recipes

If you’re as excited about soup season as much as we are, here are a few of our favorites, guaranteed to warm your family’s bellies and bring big smiles to their faces. What could be better?

How to Make Crockpot White Chicken Chili

A close up of a bowl of chili made with chicken and white beans

Crockpot White Chicken Chili

4.80 from 10 votes
Crockpot white chicken chili is so easy to throw together in the slow cooker on a cold day. Versatile enough to make as mild or spicy as you like!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
0 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people

Video

Equipment

  • Crockpot Slow Cooker

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large saucepan, cook onion in hot oil over medium heat. After it is caramelized a little bit, add the green salsa. Heat for about 3 minutes.
    Pan of onions, garlic and butter for Creamed Spinach sauce base.
  • Add salsa mixture to the Crock Pot and add corn, beans, broth, cooked chicken, cream cheese (optional), lime juice, and seasonings. Cook on high for 4 hours.
    A close up of a Crock Pot with white chicken chili and a scoop being lifted from the pot
  • About 10 minutes before serving, add the shredded cheese and stir until melted (this is how we like it best). You can also serve the cheese on the side as a garnish. Serve with tortilla chips, cilantro, avocado, or any other preferred garnishes.
    A close up of a bowl of chili made with chicken and white beans

Nutrition Information

Calories: 476kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 27gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 746mgPotassium: 1084mgFiber: 10gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 711IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 327mgIron: 5mg

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About the author

Echo Blickenstaff

Echo lives in Pleasant Grove, Utah with her husband, Todd, who works in advertising, and her four kids: two girls and two boys. She deploys her accounting degree as the blog’s resident problem solver. In her time outside the kitchen, Echo loves to get away from the phones and busy schedules and spend quality time with the family. Anywhere’s great – but getting out into nature in the mountains or on the beach – is the best kind of getaway.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Because the chili cooks for four hours in the crock pot, can I use fresh chicken breasts and just shred them after the 4 hours ?

        1. I’m so sorry, I was not that impressed with the white chicken chilly taste. I actually followed the “stove top” instructions. Wondered if the other two versions had better results. Added more cumin and chili powder to get that more authentic chili flavor. Thank you ladies forall you do!

    1. This soup makes about 12 cups total depending on how much salsa you use. Depending on serving size, it makes about 6-8 servings. Thanks for asking!

  2. 4 stars
    I made this tonight and it was delicious! I made a few modifications to fit our taste…added a few bell peppers, only used 1 onion and 1 can of corn and then stuck a can of beans in the blender thicken the soup. Thanks for the recipe!

  3. 5 stars
    Made this for a chili pot luck at school and it’s sooo yummy. My husband doesn’t like beans… Any suggestions on modifying it without beans?!

  4. 5 stars
    WOW!!!!!! This is amazingly good!!! And SO easy too! Just made it for the first time 4 days ago and my kids asked if I would make it again today 🙂 Here were my slight modifications – La Victoria Medium, 3 cans of beans, 1 can of corn (what I had on hand), and skipped the cheese (due to allergies) – Yummy!

    This is a keeper and will be in our regular rotation. Thank you!

    1. Thanks Suzanne! So glad you liked it! Thank you for the modifications as well – it’s always nice to have new ideas and options for recipes.

  5. mm chilli chicken.. sound delishious… might be worth a try in the old crock pot.. good for these cold winter days