Name: Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 480 min
Total time: 495 min
Ingredients: 2 sweet bell peppers (chopped); 1 red or yellow onion (chopped); 1 (15 oz) can cannelini beans (rinsed and drained); 2 (4 oz) cans diced green chilies (undrained); 1 1/2 lbs. chicken breasts or thighs; 2 teaspoons Kosher salt; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon cumin; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 3 cups low sodium chicken broth; 4 oz. cream cheese (cubed, at room temperature); Juice of 1 lime; Chopped green onions or cilantro (for serving); Sour cream (for serving); Shredded cheese (for serving); Fritos, jalapeno slices, or avocado (for serving (optional))

Let the slow cooker do all the hard work with this easy, satisfying Crock Pot White Chicken Chili recipe. Filled with beans, veggies, chicken, and cozy spices, this creamy chicken chili will warm you all the way up!

We recommend serving it with all your favorite chili toppings and Skillet Cornbread for an easy fall dinner!

Bowl of slow cooker white chicken chili with sour cream and shredded cheese.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love this Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

I’ve been having a lot of fun revisiting some of our oldest recipes and seeing how they stack up to our taste buds ten years later. In the case of this White Chicken Chili, it had all the same hearty warmth that I remember, but I felt a little more like soup than chili.

To remedy this, I added some cream cheese, which helped thicken the soup as well as add a super creamy, satisfying texture–exactly what I’m looking for in a white chili.

This chili will warm you up on the coldest days. It’s got everything you need for a complete meal, plus tons of great texture from all the different veggies and beans. We like our white chili to have a mild heat–the kind that will open up your sinus passages, not the kind that will make you need to drink a gallon of milk.

The smoky warmth of this dish is just right for a fall evening when you begin to crave something a little heartier. With only 15 minutes of prep work, this meal is perfect for busy weeknights when the days are shorter, kids are starting sports practice, and the nights call for a sweatshirt. This Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili wants to make your life easier (and tastier!)

Courtney

Key Ingredients

Chicken, beans, cream cheese, red onion, spices, green chiles, lime, better than bouillon, and bell peppers on a light wood background.

Onions– Red or yellow onions both work well.
Bell peppers– Red, orange, or yellow bell peppers can be used.
Canned green chiles– These add a subtle heat.
Beans– We’ve tested this with all different kinds of beans, and they all work. I’m partial to cannellini beans, but Great Northern and pinto beans also work well.
Chicken– This chili works great with either chicken thighs or breasts.
Spices– You’ll need chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and just a hint of cayenne pepper.
Chicken broth– Use your favorite chicken broth. I prefer low sodium varieties.
Cream cheese– Full fat cream cheese is added at the end of the cooking time to thicken the soup and give it a creamy texture.
Lime juice– Fresh lime juice really brightens up this chili and keeps it from feeling too heavy.
Toppings– Arguably the best part of any chili is the toppings! I like to add Fritos Scoops, shredded cheese, sour cream, and sliced avocado. You can also add green onions or cilantro.

How to Make White Chicken Chili in the Crock Pot

Bell peppers, onions, chicken, broth, beans, and seasonings in a crock pot.

Step 1: Place all the chopped veggies, green chiles, and beans at the bottom of the crock pot, then add the chicken. Sprinkle with seasonings, then pour the chicken broth over all. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.

Cubed cream cheese added to a crock pot full of chili.

Step 2: Thirty minutes before serving, remove the lid from the crock pot, and add chopped cream cheese. Replace the lid and continue to cook.

Two forks shredding chicken in a crock pot with white chili.

Step 3: Stir the cream cheese into the broth until no lumps remain. Remove the chicken pieces to a cutting board and shred, then return it the crock pot. Serve with your favorite toppings.

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

Storing: White chili keeps well stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Reheating leftovers: In the microwave, stirring every minute, or on the stove top.
To freeze white chili: Prepare the soup all the way to the end, omitting the cream cheese. Cool completely, then store in freezer safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the slow cooker or on the stove top, adding the cream cheese before serving.

Big soup spoon full of slow cooker white chicken chili.

Recipe Tips & Variations

Swap or add veggies: Substitute the bell peppers for carrots and celery for a white chili that leans closer to classic chicken noodle soup.
Make it spicier: Try adding diced jalapeno or hot sauce to the crock pot or serve it on the side after cooking so everyone can customize their spice levels.
Make it thicker or thinner: Omit the cream cheese for a brothier soup, or add an extra 4 ounces for a very creamy chili.
Make it dairy free: Omit the cream cheese, and thicken the soup by blending an additional can of white beans until smooth, then stirring it into the chili.

Crock pot white chicken chili in two yellow bowls, topped with sour cream and cheese.

What to Serve with White Chicken Chili

We recommend a full slate of chili toppings, including sour cream, shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese, sliced avocados, sliced jalapenos, and green onions or cilantro. We also love to add something crunchy, like Fritos or tortilla strips.

White chicken chili also pairs well with easy drop biscuits, jalapeno cornbread muffins, gluten free cornbread, and seasonal favorites like Autumn pear salad and baked cinnamon apples.

Serve chili with one of these fall drinks for a truly memorable meal.

More Chili Recipes to Try

If you prefer a more traditional chili, you’ll definitely want to check out our Slow Cooker Steak Chili.
Our Italian Sausage Chili is a meaty, spicy chili that’s perfect for people who don’t enjoy beans.
My mom’s Green Bean Chili is a very mild chili with pasta that’s perfect for kids!
Don’t forget to check out our Best Fall Soups for more cozy meals like this!

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