I know I have a surefire hit on my hands any time I make this Crockpot white chicken chili recipe! This slow cooker recipe is filled with shredded chicken, white beans, green chiles, an array of spices, and cream cheese to make a creamy chicken chili that’s oh-so comforting. Whether I cook up this white bean chili for a weeknight dinner with the family or for guests, everyone finishes their bowls with a smile.
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I always get asked for my creamy white chicken chili recipe, so I knew making a slow cooker version was a good idea! Turns out, making this white bean and chicken chili in my Crockpot couldn’t be easier. I just throw in a few basic ingredients, set it to cook, then come back later to a creamy, comforting meal!
Ingredients for Creamy Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best for this white chili recipe. We’ll be shredding the chicken after it cooks, so bone-in pieces can be more difficult to work with.
- White Beans: Use 2 cans of Great Northern Beans, or another white bean (like Cannellini).
- Green Chiles: Cans of diced green chiles add some (very) mild heat.
- Chicken Broth: Broth helps create the base of the chili. I like to use low-sodium broth.
- Cream Cheese: This creates a thicker, creamier chili consistency. Let the cream cheese soften while the chili cooks, then cut it into cubes to help it melt evenly in the Crockpot.
- Heavy Cream: This creates a silkier finish for the chili broth.
- Garlic & Onion: These aromatics add earthy flavor.
- Spices: Use a mix of cumin, dried oregano, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and salt & pepper.
Tips for Success
- The cream cheese and heavy cream are optional ingredients, but I love making this slow cooker white chicken chili nice and creamy! If you prefer a thinner/brothier chili, simply skip Step 4, and just add the shredded chicken back into the Crockpot to serve.
- I rely on canned ingredients for convenience in this recipe. Throwing in cans of white beans and green chiles is really great for quick prep. I sometimes add a can of corn as well to bulk up the chili a little bit!
How to Store and Reheat
Let Crockpot white chicken chili cool to room temperature before storing. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerate for 3-4 days, or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-hight heat until fully warmed through. Thaw first if frozen.
Serving Suggestions
I always serve bowls of this creamy Crockpot white chicken chili with fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, crumbled tortilla chips, and a sprinkle of shredded cheese. It’s perfect served up with fresh cornbread for ultimate comfort!
5-Star Review
“Such delicious flavors and so easy to make! Added a can of corn (drained) per daughter request. It’s her favorite meal once soup season hits. Also favorite for friends gatherings, very raley have leftovers when I bring this over. Thanks so much!” – Heidi
Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 30 ounces great northern beans drained and rinsed (2 standard cans)
- 8 ounces diced green chiles drained (2 standard cans)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 4 ounces cream cheese cut into cubes
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- Sour cream, tortilla strips, and cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Spray the slow cooker insert with nonstick spray.
- Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the bottom of the crockpot. Sprinkle the chicken with salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and cayenne.4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Top evenly with the onion, garlic, great northern beans, and green chiles. Pour over the chicken broth.1 yellow onion, 3 garlic cloves, 30 ounces great northern beans, 8 ounces diced green chiles, 3 cups chicken broth
- Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 5-7 hours until the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place on a cutting board. Shred the chicken and return it to the pot.
- Add the cream cheese and heavy cream. Stir, cover, and cook on high for 15-20 minutes until the cream cheese has melted and the chili is warmed through.4 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup heavy cream
- Stir in the cilantro and serve!¼ cup chopped cilantro, Sour cream, tortilla strips, and cheese for garnish
Video
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make White Chicken Chili in a Crockpot Step by Step
Add the Chicken: Spray the slow cooker insert with nonstick spray, and arrange 4 chicken breasts in a single layer in the bottom of the crockpot. Then sprinkle the chicken with 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon go black pepper, 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, ½ teaspoon of chili powder, and ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
Add the Other Chili Ingredients: Next, add 1 diced yellow onion, 3 cloves of minced garlic, 2 cans of drained and rinsed Great Northern Beans (30 ounces), and 2 cans of drained green chiles (8 ounces). Then pour 3 cups of chicken broth on top.
Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook chili on HIGH for 2-3 hours; or on LOW for 5-7 hours (until the chicken is cooked through).
Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker and place on a cutting board. Then shred the chicken, and return it to the pot of white bean chili.
Make it Creamy: Add 4 ounces of cubed cream cheese and ½ cup of heavy cream. Stir, cover, and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes until the cream cheese has melted and the chicken chili is warmed through.
Serve: Set the cooker to WARM, and serve bowls of creamy white chicken chili straight from the Crockpot, topped with fresh cilantro, tortilla strips, sour cream, jalapeños, or whatever toppings you like. Enjoy!
So good. When I experiment with a recipe, I never know how my husband will respond. After I’d served myself a dish, he about finished the rest of the soup in the crockpot. I had make a recipe for 3 servings, but will definitely expand on that the next time I make this. Fairly soon!
Rather than a review at this time, I have a question::
CAN I USE CANNED WHITE BEANS OR MUST THEY BE NATURAL???
Hi Penny, we used canned white beans in this recipe!
Such delicious flavors and so easy to make! Added a can of corn (drained) per daughter request. It’s her favorite meal once soup season hits. Also favorite for friends gatherings, very raley have leftovers when I bring this over. Thanks so much!
Loved this recipe, it’s now in my favorites and a regular when the weather turns cold.
We love to hear that, Amber!
What a wonderful recipe! I tweaked a few things to make it fit my family!
This is delicious!!
Got this from a friend, and I’ve thanked her several times!! Did change the Great Northern beans to jumbo Lima beans/Butter beans, it’s a hit!!
New Favorite Chili Recipe. Easy and tasty
Glad to hear it, Conni!
Easy recipe and it always comes out yummy! Wondering if adding some vegetables other than corn would work? Not sure what! Zucchini?
I haven’t tried that yet!