Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Mar 11, 2024Updated Feb 27, 2025

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Change up your chili game with this creamy and flavorful Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili recipe. Made from scratch with plenty of spiciness and decadence, this will be the best chicken chili you will ever make!

I make chili at least once a week and try to rotate my recipes. If I’m not making this chili recipe, I’m making Steakhouse Chili, Jalapeno Popper Chili, or Slow Cooker Turkey Chili.

overhead of slow cooker white chicken chili.

How to make White Chicken Chili in the Crockpot
Recipe Ingredients
Variations
Step-by-Step Directions
How to Serve Crock Pot White Chili
Recipe FAQs
More crockpot chili recipes:
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe

How to make White Chicken Chili in the Crockpot

The first time I had crock pot white chicken chili was at a soup and chili party. A friend brought the chili, and it was the only pot that disappeared completely! I had to get my hands on that recipe, and now I can’t stop making it.

The creamy white chicken chili contains shredded chicken, white beans, corn, and more. When it comes to cooking, you’ll love the dump-and-go method. Whether you’re looking to win a chili cookoff or win your family’s approval, this will be a chili recipe to keep on hand. Another recipe with similar flavors is my Chicken Chile Relleno Soup!

Recipe Ingredients

ingredients for slow cooker white chicken chili on a table.

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.
White Beans – any type of white canned bean works well, I like cannellini beans for they are larger than most beans. If you can’t find these beans, find canned great northern beans.
Corn – small can of drained yellow corn or two cups of frozen corn.
Seasonings – cumin, chili powder, oregano and garlic powder (and salt and pepper)
Chicken Broth – can use four cups water and two chicken bouillon cubes if needed. If you prefer you can use chicken stock. If you have leftover crockpot chicken stock, use that!
Sweet Yellow Onion – diced
Canned Diced Green Chiles – Small can of fire-roasted chiles or one diced poblano chile pepper.
Sour Cream – add at the end of the cooking time to add creaminess to the chili
Cilantro – this is also added at the end of the cooking time. If you do not like cilantro you can leave this out.
{The full recipe is in the recipe card below the photo}

Variations

You can use a turkey breast if desired. In fact, it will make for a wonderfully flavored chili! You can even use cooked ground turkey. In addition to leftover turkey, you can also use rotisserie chicken.
In place of the fire-roasted chiles, use a diced jalapeno or a poblano pepper. Add a few shakes of hot sauce to your personal bowl.
Don’t love sour cream? Try one of these variations:
- One block of cream cheese – add at the end, place in soup, and let melt for a few minutes. Stir into chili.
- Cream of chicken soup – One can of cream of chicken soup, add at the beginning of the recipe.
- Skip it! – Leave out the creamy part of this recipe if you want a healthier chili.

Step-by-Step Directions

ingredients for white chicken chili in a crockpot before cooking.

scooping a piece of cooked chicken from a crockpot.

Step 1 – Add the chicken breasts, drained canned beans, drained corn, seasonings, onion, green chilies, and chicken broth to the slow cooker. Stir. Wait to add sour cream and cilantro.

Step 2 – Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.

sour cream and cilantro added to crockpot after shredding chicken.

overhead of slow cooker white chicken chili after cooking.

Step 3 – Remove the chicken breasts and shred with two forks. Add back to the slow cooker. Add the sour cream and chopped cilantro.

Step 4 – Stir and serve the hearty chili with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

scooping out some slow cooker white chicken chili.

How to Serve Crock Pot White Chili

White chicken chili can be served with a host of toppings such as: shredded Monterey Jack Cheese, Pepper Jack cheese, Colby Jack, lime wedges for a fresh squeeze of lime juice, fresh cilantro, additional sour cream, and cubed avocado.
It also pairs great with the smaller Fritos (not the scoops) or crushed-up tortilla chips.
Great sides are warmed flour tortillas, or cornbread with butter and honey (we love the Krusteaz brand).
To make the recipe stretch into more servings consider serving over white rice!

two bowls of slow cooker white chicken chili.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this in an instant pot?

Yes, instant pot white chicken chili is one of our favorites! To turn this slow cooker version into an instant pot recipe: seal the lid on the instant pot. Move the valve to the sealing position. Cook on manual pressure for 20 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally. Shred the chicken and add the sour cream and cilantro after the cooking time is complete. (Check your manual for safety instructions).

What is the best way to store leftovers?

This recipe, after cooking, doesn’t freeze well, for the cream will separate after being thawed. Though, it will last 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container. The best way to reheat this is on a pan on the stovetop, don’t overcook, or the sour cream may separate. Or you can cook in the microwave, but again don’t overheat!

Can I make this into a freezer meal?

You can make this recipe into a freezer meal by placing raw ingredients into a freezer Ziplock bag(not the sour cream, though) and freezing for up to 3 months. Thaw (in the fridge) and cook when you are ready. Keep the cilantro and sour cream separate and add that after cooking when shedding the chicken.