I’ve spent many afternoons savoring the aroma of Crockpot White Chicken Chili as it cooks slowly to perfection. Loaded with tender chicken, zesty green chiles, tangy cream cheese and hearty white beans, this unique recipe intrigues with its balanced flavors and promises a delightful blend of culinary creativity.
This Crockpot Creamy White Chicken Chili is one of my favorite recipes to throw together for a satisfying meal that doesn’t overcomplicate anything. I start with 2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into chunks, then toss in a roughly chopped onion and minced garlic to give it a savory kick.
I add diced green chiles along with cumin and dried oregano which works perfectly with 4 cups of low sodium chicken broth. Then i stir in the two cans of white beans and cream cheese cubes to create that unique cream feel, finishing with 1 cup of heavy cream.
I season it with salt and pepper and let it all meld together slowly in the crockpot. Sometimes I top it off with chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime for an extra zing.
This recipe is a simple twist on traditional chicken chili thats full of flavor and sure to spark your curiosity.
Why I Like this Recipe
I really love this recipe because it always makes me feel cozy and satisfied, like I’m treating myself to a warm hug on a cold day. I also appreciate how simple it is to throw together; I mean, who has time for complicated meals these days, right? The blend of cream cheese and heavy cream gives it that rich, velvety texture that I can never resist, and the spices mix together in a way that’s both comforting and a little exciting. Plus, the fact that it almost makes itself in the crockpot means less time spent in the kitchen and more time to chill out.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts supply lean protein that supports muscle growth and boosts overall flavor.
- White beans offer fiber and complex carbs that aid digestion and keep you full.
- Cream cheese gives a rich, tangy creaminess that balances spicy and savory notes.
- Green chiles deliver a mild heat with a fresh, zesty flavor kick thats irresistible.
- Heavy cream creates a smooth, velvety texture and slightly sweet dairy note to finish.
- Fresh cilantro adds a bright, citrusy note and a touch of herbal freshness.
Ingredient Quantities
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
- 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans (4 oz each) diced green chiles
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 (15 oz) cans white beans (Cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, cut into cubes
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half if you prefer a lighter touch)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: chopped fresh cilantro and lime wedges for garnish
How to Make this
1. Put the chicken, chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced green chiles in a crockpot. Sprinkle in the cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Pour in the chicken broth and add the drained white beans.
3. Toss in the chicken chunks, making sure they’re mostly covered by the broth.
4. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for about 6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is completely cooked.
5. Once it’s done, remove the chicken and shred it with two forks then return it back to the pot.
6. Stir in the cubed cream cheese and let it melt for a few minutes.
7. Pour in the heavy cream (or half-and-half) and mix everything together until smooth.
8. Season with extra salt and pepper if needed.
9. Serve hot and if you want, garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
10. Enjoy your creamy chili and feel free to adjust the spices to suit your taste!
Equipment Needed
1. Crockpot with lid
2. Cutting board
3. Chef knife
4. Forks (for shredding the chicken)
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Can opener
7. Mixing spoon
FAQ
Crockpot Creamy White Chicken Chili Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- If you dont have boneless, skinless chicken breasts, you can use chicken thighs instead. They tend to be more flavorful and stay really tender in the crockpot.
- If you don’t have diced green chiles, try using a diced poblano pepper or a fresh mild green chili. It gives a nice twist without being too spicy.
- For low sodium chicken broth, homemade chicken broth or even a good quality veggie broth works well if youre looking to change things up a bit.
- If cream cheese isn’t around, you could use thick Greek yogurt or even a dollop of ricotta cheese. Just keep in mind they might add a tangy flavor so you may need a little extra salt.
- If heavy cream is off the menu, half-and-half is a great alternative. You can also try coconut milk for a slightly different but very tasty creamy texture.
Pro Tips
1. Try browning your onions in a pan before adding them to the crockpot. It gives a nice caramelized flavor and makes the dish taste more complex.
2. If you want to amp up the creaminess without worryin bout your cream cheese curdlin, mix the cream cheese with a little bit of warm broth in a separate bowl first. Then stir it back in.
3. For a little extra kick, add a diced jalapeno or an extra can of green chiles if you’re into spicier flavors. It really brings the dish to life.
4. Lastly, always taste and adjust the seasonings at the end. Sometimes the slow cooking process can mellow out the spices so a bit of extra salt or pepper might be needed.
Crockpot Creamy White Chicken Chili Recipe
My favorite Crockpot Creamy White Chicken Chili Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Crockpot with lid
2. Cutting board
3. Chef knife
4. Forks (for shredding the chicken)
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Can opener
7. Mixing spoon
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
- 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans (4 oz each) diced green chiles
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 (15 oz) cans white beans (Cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, cut into cubes
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half if you prefer a lighter touch)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: chopped fresh cilantro and lime wedges for garnish
Instructions:
1. Put the chicken, chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced green chiles in a crockpot. Sprinkle in the cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Pour in the chicken broth and add the drained white beans.
3. Toss in the chicken chunks, making sure they’re mostly covered by the broth.
4. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for about 6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is completely cooked.
5. Once it’s done, remove the chicken and shred it with two forks then return it back to the pot.
6. Stir in the cubed cream cheese and let it melt for a few minutes.
7. Pour in the heavy cream (or half-and-half) and mix everything together until smooth.
8. Season with extra salt and pepper if needed.
9. Serve hot and if you want, garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
10. Enjoy your creamy chili and feel free to adjust the spices to suit your taste!