White Chicken Chili Recipe (CrockPot)
- By Amy Dong
- Updated May. 24, 2024
Hearty and comforting, this crockpot white chicken chili recipe is hands down the best comfort food we’ve ever had the privilege of devouring. Made with simple ingredients and plenty of flavor, it’s rich, creamy, and so easy to make! Pairs perfectly with rustic bread or sweet corn muffins.
In This Article
- What is White Chicken Chili?
- Watch us Make White Chicken Chili
- Why You’ll Love White Chicken Chili
- Regular Chili vs. White Chili
- Key Recipe Ingredients
- Easy Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- What To Serve With White Chicken Chili
- White Chili Chicken Recipe Commonly Asked Questions
- Did you make this?
- White Chicken Chili (Crockpot) Recipe
- More to Cook and Eat
This post may contain affiliate links, at no additional cost to you.
What is White Chicken Chili?
White chicken chili generally refers to a cozy, thick stew type of dish made with white beans, chicken, and green chilis. Heat level can vary depending on whether mild green chilis, hot green chilis, or hot sauce is used. White chili is creamier and whitish in color, due to being more cream-based rather than tomato-based. Instead of black beans, white chicken chili uses white beans such as great northern beans. Additionally, shredded white chicken is used versus ground beef in traditional chili recipes.
Watch us Make White Chicken Chili
Why You’ll Love White Chicken Chili
- Goodness: It’s full of protein and fiber for a meal that will not only warm you up from the inside out but will also keep you full!
- Slow Cooker AND Stovetop: Made in the crockpot, all you have to do is combine the ingredients so you can be in and out of the kitchen in no time and come home to a scrumptious dinner. Instructions for stovetop option included.
- Crowd Worthy: With 12 servings, it’s the perfect option for feeding a crowd.
- Meal Prep: Leftovers keep well for lunch the next day; if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers.
- Flavors: The spices and seasonings can easily be adjusted to fit your flavor preferences; so don’t be afraid to add a little extra hot sauce!
Regular Chili vs. White Chili
What is the difference between white chili and regular chili? Essentially, regular chili is tomato-based, built on a foundation red chili seasonings and tomatoes. On the other hand, white chili is cream-based, using cream cheese or creamy soups to create a hearty white stew.
Additionally, a classic chili recipe uses black beans or kidney beans, whereas white chili uses navy beans or great northern beans. White chili generally contains white meat such as shredded white chicken, in lieu of ground beef that’s found in traditional chili recipes.
Key Recipe Ingredients
There are seemingly a million different ways to prepare crockpot white bean chicken chili, and we’ve tried them all. However, this version is the one we always come back to again, and again….and again. Made with simple ingredients, it’s big on flavor and simply the best.
- Skinless, boneless chicken breasts are used as the protein source and added to the crockpot completely raw.
- Plenty of fiber can be found in this dish! Northern beans and corn are included to keep you satisfied.
- The secret to ultra creamy broth is a combination of condensed cream of chicken soup and chicken broth thickened with a pinch of flour.
- Chopped onions and garlic make everything tastier, including this dish.
- Plenty of spices belong here! Oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper create a warm flavor and are given a kick of heat with mild diced green chilis.
- Technically optional, this white bean chicken chili is best served with a sprinkling of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Easy Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Combine ingredients into large slow cooker. Mix well to incorporate.
- Cover and cook on low for about 4 hours. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- keep warm until ready to serve. Garnish with shredded cheddar.
What To Serve With White Chicken Chili
Cornbread
- Honey Cornbread Muffins – these are tender, hearty, and filled with the goodness of honey.
- Sweet Potato Cornbread – sweet potatoes make this cornbread extra moist and hearty.
- Sweet Cornbread – this is our classic cornbread that can be doubled for a crowd.
Breads
- Easy Dinner Rolls (Less Than 1 Hour) – these super soft, fluffy rolls are the quickest yeast rolls we’ve ever made.
- French Bread Recipe – this recipe makes 2 deliciously chewy French bread loaves.
- Rosemary Garlic Bread – this is a fan-favorite, as it’s full of flavor and perfect every time.
- Olive Garden Breadsticks – these are actually better than the restaurant’s.
Roasted Vegetables
- Best Easy Roasted Vegetables Recipe – super easy, flavorful, and delicious!
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts – brussels sprouts never tasted so good.
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Cinnamon – perfect side for any fall/winter meal.
Salad
- Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites) – this humble dish never fails to “wow” guests, with its wonderfully succulent flavors.
- Southwestern Chopped Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing – crispy, colorful, and delicious.
- Mexican Taco Salad – simple yet satisfying for any Tex-Mex themed meal.
White Chili Chicken Recipe Commonly Asked Questions
This crockpot white chicken chili makes for a satisfying meal all on its own. However, you can never go wrong with a side of tortilla chips, rustic bread, or sweet corn muffins to soak up all the goodness.
This white chili chicken recipe will work great on the stovetop as well. Just be sure to brown the chicken in a skillet first. Then, add the ingredients to a large pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to simmer, cover and let cook for 1 hour. If short on time, opt for this stovetop 30-minute white bean turkey chili instead!
Leftovers keep well so go ahead and make a big batch of this chili! When stored in an airtight container, it will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-5 days or freezer for up to 6 months. Just be sure to seal it airtight.
We keep our recipe here relatively mild, using 8oz mild diced green chilis. You’re free to use 1 can hot and 1 can mild, or add a splash of hot sauce to suit your heat preference.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
White Chicken Chili (Crockpot)
Ingredients
- 4 lbs chicken breast tenders, boneless, skinless, cut into chunks
- 3 cans Northern beans, 15 oz each, drained
- 2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup, 10.5 oz each
- 2 cans corn, 15 oz each
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 4 onions, small, chopped
- 8 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 tsp oregano
- 2 ½ tsp cumin
- 8 oz diced green chilis, drained, mild or hot (your choice)
- 6 TB flour
- Kosher salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Shredded cheddar , for optional garnish
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients (except salt/pepper) into large slow cooker. Mix well to incorporate.
- Cover and cook on low for about 4 hours or until chicken is no longer pink and onions are soft. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Turn slow cooker to “warm” setting, and keep warm until ready to serve. If desired, garnish with shredded cheddar. Serve with bread, chips, or corn muffins.
Notes
- Consistency: If you want to thicken your chili further after cooking, mix in 1 TB of flour at a time until desired thickness is achieved and let it cook another 30 min or so. If you want to thin it out, simply add more chicken broth until desired consistency.
- Stovetop Instructions: If you’d like to cook this on stovetop, brown chicken in a skillet first (no need to cook through, just browning is enough.) Then, add the ingredients to a large pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to simmer, cover and let cook for 1 hour.
Nutrition (per serving)
More to Cook and Eat
- Crock Pot Chili – One bite and you’ll know why this hearty chili recipe is one of our favorites.
- Butternut Squash Chili – The perfect meal to serve gathered around the table with friends.
- Vegetarian Chili – This is hands down the best vegetarian (or vegan) chili we’ve ever had; try it for yourself and see if you agree!
- Healthy Chicken Chili – Good for you and ready in 30 minutes, dinner doesn’t get better than this.
- Healthy Fall Pumpkin Chili – We absolutely adore this cold-weather meal. Loaded with nutritious ingredients and savory flavors, it’s comforting, cozy, and oh-so-tasty.