This Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili is the ultimate comfort food for chilly evenings. With its rich and creamy texture combined with just the right amount of spice, it’s sure to warm you up from the inside out. Perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings, this dish is both satisfying and easy to prepare. The slow cooker does all the work, allowing you to enjoy a hearty meal with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Preparation: Just toss everything into the crockpot and let it do the magic while you go about your day.
- Delicious Flavor: A perfect blend of spices and creamy goodness makes every bite delightful.
- Versatile Serving Options: Serve it as a standalone dish or pair it with rice, tortillas, or toppings like avocado and cheese.
- Healthy Ingredients: Packed with protein from chicken and beans, this chili is both nutritious and filling.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for gatherings, game nights, or cozy family dinners.
Tools and Preparation
Before diving into making your creamy white chicken chili, gather your tools. Having everything ready will streamline the cooking process.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Mixing bowl
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
Importance of Each Tool
- Slow cooker: This is essential for cooking your chili low and slow, ensuring that flavors meld beautifully.
- Mixing bowl: Useful for shredding chicken and combining ingredients smoothly.
- Knife: A sharp knife helps make quick work of chopping vegetables.
Ingredients
This creamy white chicken chili is made super easy in your crockpot! Creamy with plenty of spice, it’s the perfect companion on a chilly night!
For the Chili
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (trimmed of excess fat)
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 24 oz. chicken broth (low sodium)
- 2 15oz cans great Northern beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2 4oz cans diced green chiles (I do one hot, one mild)
- 1 15oz can whole kernel corn (drained)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cumin
- 3/4 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- small handful fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 4 oz reduced fat cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup half and half
For Serving
- sliced jalapenos
- sliced avocados
- dollop of sour cream
- minced fresh cilantro
- tortilla strips
- shredded Monterey jack or Mexican cheese
How to Make Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Spices
- Add chicken breasts to the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Top with salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.
Step 2: Add Vegetables and Beans
- Top with diced onion, minced garlic, great Northern beans, green chiles, corn, chicken broth, and cilantro.
- Stir well to combine all ingredients.
Step 3: Cook the Chili
- Cover the slow cooker.
- Cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours until chicken is cooked through.
Step 4: Shred the Chicken
- Remove cooked chicken to a large mixing bowl.
- Shred the chicken using two forks then return it to the slow cooker.
Step 5: Make It Creamy
- Add softened cream cheese and half-and-half into the slow cooker.
- Stir until well combined then cover again.
- Cook on HIGH for an additional 15 minutes until creamy.
Step 6: Serve
- Stir well before serving.
- Garnish with desired toppings such as sliced jalapenos, avocado slices, sour cream, fresh cilantro, tortilla strips, or shredded cheese.
Enjoy your delicious Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili!
How to Serve Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Serving Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili is an opportunity to get creative and enhance the flavors of this delightful dish. Whether you prefer traditional toppings or something unique, there are plenty of options to satisfy your taste.
Classic Toppings
- Sour Cream: A dollop of sour cream adds a tangy creaminess that balances the spices in the chili.
- Shredded Cheese: Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese melts beautifully over warm chili, enhancing its richness.
- Avocado Slices: Fresh avocado adds a creamy texture and a healthy fat component to your bowl.
Spice it Up
- Sliced Jalapeños: For those who love heat, adding sliced jalapeños gives an extra kick to each bite.
- Fresh Cilantro: Sprinkle chopped cilantro on top for a burst of freshness and color.
- Tortilla Strips: Crunchy tortilla strips provide a delightful contrast in texture while adding flavor.
Accompaniments
- Cornbread: Serve with warm cornbread for a comforting side that pairs perfectly with chili.
- Rice: A side of fluffy rice can soak up the creamy goodness of the chili, making for a hearty meal.
How to Perfect Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili
To ensure your Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili turns out perfectly every time, follow these helpful tips.
- Use Quality Chicken: Opt for fresh, boneless skinless chicken breasts for the best flavor and texture.
- Adjust Spices to Taste: Feel free to tweak the amount of spices used based on your heat preference.
- Blend Cream Cheese Smoothly: To avoid lumps, mix softened cream cheese with some chili before adding it back to the pot.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cooking on LOW allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in a richer taste.
- Garnish Generously: Don’t hold back on toppings—garnishes elevate the dish visually and add extra flavor layers.
- Make It Ahead of Time: This chili keeps well, so consider making it a day in advance for even better flavors.
Best Side Dishes for Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Pairing sides with your Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili can enhance your meal experience. Here are some delicious options:
- Garlic Bread: Crispy garlic bread complements the chili’s creaminess while providing a satisfying crunch.
- Mexican Rice: Flavored rice adds depth and can help balance out the spice in the chili.
- Green Salad: A light salad with fresh greens offers a refreshing contrast to the rich chili.
- Grilled Vegetables: Seasoned grilled veggies bring smoky flavors that pair nicely with the creamy chili.
- Quesadillas: Cheese quesadillas make for a cheesy side that kids will love as well!
- Potato Wedges: Seasoned potato wedges add substance and are perfect for dipping into the chili.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili, it’s easy to overlook a few key details. Here are some common mistakes to help you achieve the best results.
- Skipping the seasoning: Not seasoning the chicken and veggies can lead to bland chili. Always sprinkle your spices generously for flavor.
- Overcooking the chicken: Leaving chicken in the crockpot too long can make it dry. Stick to the recommended cooking times for juicy meat.
- Forgetting to drain beans and corn: Not draining canned beans and corn can make your chili too watery. Make sure to rinse them well before adding.
- Adding cold cream cheese: If you add cold cream cheese directly, it may clump. Soften it beforehand or blend with some chili before mixing.
- Not adjusting spice levels: Everyone has different heat preferences. Taste your chili towards the end of cooking and adjust spices accordingly.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store leftover chili in an airtight container.
- It will last for up to 3-4 days in the fridge.
Freezing Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili
- Freeze in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags.
- It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C), place chili in an oven-safe dish, and heat until warm throughout, stirring occasionally.
- Microwave: Use a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in increments of 1-2 minutes until warmed through.
- Stovetop: Pour chili into a pot over medium heat, stirring often until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about making Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili.
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Just extend the cooking time by about an hour if cooking on low.
How can I make this chili spicier?
To add more heat, consider using more cayenne pepper or adding fresh jalapeños when serving.
Can I substitute other beans?
You can substitute great Northern beans with white kidney beans or black beans if desired.
What toppings go well with this chili?
Delicious toppings include sliced avocados, shredded cheese, sour cream, and tortilla strips for added crunch.
How do I thicken my chili if it’s too watery?
If your chili is too thin, try simmering it uncovered for a while or mixing in a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) to thicken it up.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili is not only comforting but also versatile. You can customize it with your favorite toppings or adjust spice levels to suit your taste. Perfect for chilly nights, this dish is sure to please everyone at your table!
Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili is the perfect dish to warm you up on chilly evenings. This comforting and hearty meal combines tender shredded chicken, creamy beans, and a blend of spices that create a delightful flavor explosion in every bite. With the slow cooker doing all the work, you can easily prepare this satisfying recipe for family dinners or casual gatherings. Serve it with your favorite toppings, and enjoy a cozy bowl full of goodness!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6 people
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 24 oz low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 (15 oz) cans great Northern beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2 (4 oz) cans diced green chiles
- 1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn (drained)
- 4 oz reduced-fat cream cheese
- 1/4 cup half-and-half
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. Season with salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Add diced onion, minced garlic, great Northern beans, green chiles, corn, chicken broth, and chopped cilantro. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until chicken is fully cooked.
- Shred cooked chicken in a mixing bowl using two forks, then return it to the slow cooker.
- Mix in softened cream cheese and half-and-half until creamy. Cook on HIGH for an additional 15 minutes.
- Stir well before serving and garnish with your favorite toppings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
