Crockpot White Chicken Chili

This easy chili recipe is a huge hit, especially when the temps drop, and everyone starts craving something warm and satisfying.

Don't want to scroll through the page to get to the recipe? Use the table of contents to click on the section you want.

Table of Contents

• 🗝️ Key takeaways
• 🧾 Ingredients
• 📖 Variations
• 🔪 Instructions
• 🎥 Video
• 🥫 How to store leftovers
• 💭 Things to know
• 👩‍🍳 FAQs
• 📚 Related recipes
• 🍽️ Serve with...
• 📓 Meal plans in minutes
• 📞 The last word
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

🗝️ Key takeaways

• Creamy, homemade white chili is loaded with flavor, and the tender chicken cooks perfectly every time.
• This budget-friendly meal fills a large pot so you can feed a crowd on game day or the whole family any night of the week! Perfect for potlucks!
• Choose between crock pot or stove top prep to make this comfort food favorite fit your schedule.

If you're tired of classic chili, enjoy the mild, light flavor and hearty texture of cream cheese chicken chili—it's bound to become a family favorite.

Best of all? Just about 5 minutes prep time is all you'll need!

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Nothing in this cream cheese chicken chili that you wouldn't expect - don't use fat free or low fat ingredients though. Part of the goodness of this dish is in the richness of it.

📖 Variations

• Boneless chicken breasts or thighs are the easiest to cook. However, you can use bone-in chicken and remove the bones before serving.
• Use rotisserie chicken, shredded chicken, or leftover holiday turkey. If the meat's already cooked, just simmer the chili for 15-30 minutes.
• This recipe calls for cannellini beans or white kidney beans, but great northern beans, navy beans, or any other white beans will do.
• Feel free to use Pepper Jack instead of cheddar cheese.
• Homemade chili powder is what I use because it's simply the best. I won't stop you from using your favorite brand, though.
• Toss in a couple of guajillo chiles or poblano peppers for added deliciousness. Be sure to fish them out before serving.

🔪 Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.

1. Place chicken breasts in the crockpot and add the chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder.
2. Add green chiles - don't drain them first.
3. Add the drained and rinsed cannellini beans.
4. Put in the corn and onions.
5. Pour in chicken broth or stock.
6. Cover and cook on low.
7. An hour before serving shred the chicken.
8. Heat the butter, half and half, cream cheese, and sour cream and add to the slow cooker.
9. Cover and cook another hour. Serve with plenty of fresh cilantro on the top!

Stovetop instructions

If you're in a hurry to get dinner on the table and you forgot to start the slow cooker all is not lost!

Here's an easy way to cook this creamy white chicken chili recipe on top of the stove. I don't think the flavor is quite as good but it's still better than any takeout you can think of!

This will take just about 30 minutes.

1. Add the chicken breast to a heavy, 4-quart stockpot.
2. Turn the heat to medium.
3. Add chicken stock and cook the chicken until tender - it takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Shred chicken with two forks and then it add back to the stock.
5. Add the remaining vegetables and seasonings and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
6. While the chicken is cooking mix the cream sauce ingredients according to the recipe below.
7. Add it to the chicken mixture.
8. Simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes.
9. Remove from heat and serve.

🎥 Video

🥫 How to store leftovers

White chicken chili with cream cheese is great the next day, the next-next day, and even the day after that. You get the point—it's a real crowd-pleaser.

Spoon the leftovers into an airtight container and store in the fridge for four to five days. Reheat the chili over the stove or use your microwave.

You can freeze creamy chili, but the texture isn't usually as great after thawing—it might be a bit more watery. In a heavy-duty freezer bag or plastic container, white bean chicken chili will keep for three months.

I love making this chili right after Thanksgiving! I get so tired of turkey leftovers but this easy recipe hides the fact that there are leftovers in it!

💭 Things to know

Expert Tip: Don't use fat-free or low-fat ingredients. They'll make the chili watery and bland. Plus, part of the goodness of this dish is its richness!

• Even though you can cut down on cook time, the longer you let the creamy chicken chili simmer, the better the flavors will blend.
• Heating up the dairy products before stirring them in helps everything melt more smoothly and quickly.
• If using the stovetop method, once you add the cream cheese and sour cream, don't let the chili boil, or it can curdle.
• You can make white chicken chili in the crockpot using the high setting for 3-4 hours. However, switch back to low for the final steps.
• Add your favorite toppings! We like to garnish with some avocado, fresh cilantro, and candied jalapenos. It's also tasty with crumbled tortilla chips or Fritos on top.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

📚 Related recipes

I love slow cooker recipes for back to school! Here are some of my favorites.

• Mexican chicken soup, officially called Pozole Verde, is packed with flavor and texture—the chewy hominy is so satisfyingly delicious.
• Frito Pie combines classic chili (the beefy, tomato-y kind) with salty corn chips. It's a fun way to get everyone excited for dinnertime.
• With zingy Tex-Mex flavor, black beans, and chicken, Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup is a soul-warming meal for the chilliest of days.

🍽️ Serve with...

There's nothing better than chili and a hunk of fresh bread... except for when that bread is actually the bowl and you don't have to clean dishes!

Another classic pairing with chili is Buttermilk Cornbread. It's both easy and so delicious.

If you're still looking for more, check out my collection of 75 sides to go with white chicken chili. There's enough to keep even picky eaters happy all season long.

Chili season, that is.

📓 Meal plans in minutes

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📞 The last word

When my son headed to college about 2 hours south of here I sent him a slow cooker and a copy of the cream cheese chicken chili because it's his favorite chili recipe.

Not only was he super popular but I didn't need to worry about his eating habits - this stuff is SO good, y'all!

And, honestly? It's so easy to put together that even a brand new cook can do it successfully!

Love this? Next time try my cheesy chicken enchilada soup or fiesta chicken!

So good for tailgating parties.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars!

📖 Recipe

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First published August 15, 2018. Last updated September 9, 2023 for readability and clarity.