Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili


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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.

close up of white chicken chili in slow cooker with fritos in the background
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How to make White Chicken Chili in the Crocpot

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 white chicken chili with text overlay.
  • 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
  • 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.

Variations

  • 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.
  • 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.

Step-by-Step Directions

2 photos of white chili ingredients before cooking in slow cooker

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.

2 images. One of cooked chili with chicken shredded and sour cream. Other one finished chili

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!

white chili with chicken and corn with fritos and cornbread on the side

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!
green bowl with white chicken chili in it. Lime and cilantro on top.

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 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.

3 bowls of white chili with bowl of cilantro and limes on side

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white chicken chili in slow cooker with wooden spoon in it.

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

4.55 from 35 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Crockpot White Chicken Chili is not your standard chili with this recipe! Chicken in a creamy white sauce with white beans and corn and plenty of flavor!

Ingredients 
 

  • 1.5 lbs. chicken breasts, (chicken thighs work great in this recipe too)
  • 30 oz. Cannellini Beans, (two 15-oz. cans) drained (can use great northern beans)
  • 8.75 oz. can whole kernel corn, (drained well) or two cups of frozen corn
  • 30 oz. chicken broth OR chicken stock, (two 15-oz. cans) or 4 cups water and 2 chicken boullion cubes
  • 4 oz. can fire roasted green chiles, or 1 diced poblano pepper
  • 1 cup sweet yellow onion, diced
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. pepper
  • 1 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • ½ tsp. oregano
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 cup sour cream, (ADD AT THE END OF THE COOKING TIME)
  • cup minced cilantro, (ADD AT THE END OF THE COOKING TIME)

Instructions 

  • Add the chicken, beans, corn, chicken broth, green chiles, onion, chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper to the slow cooker. WAIT TO ADD THE SOUR CREAM AND CILANTRO. Stir.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours.
  • When the cooking time is done, shred the chicken with two forks.
  • Add the sour cream and cilantro. Stir.
  • Serve and enjoy!

How to Video

Sarah’s Notes

How can I thicken chicken chili?
Add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to 2 tablespoons of water. Add to the cooked chili and cook for 10 minutes longer.
What should I serve this with?
This chili is wonderful as is but also great paired with one or more of the following:
  • Fritos
  • Monterey jack cheese
  • Cornbread or warmed flour tortillas
  • A squeeze of lime juice
  • Additional sour cream
  • Cubed avocado
  • Chopped cilantro
What can I use instead of sour cream?
  • 1 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 – 1 can, add at the beginning of the recipe.
  • Leave out the creamy part of this recipe if you want a healthier chili.
Can I use a rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey?
Yes, you can if you have it on hand. Cut into cubes and add to the recipe. Though the chicken or turkey won’t be as moist as when using fresh raw chicken.
How can I make this spicy?
  • In place of the fire-roasted chiles use a diced jalapeno.
  • Add a few shakes of hot sauce to your personal bowl.
Can I use an Instant Pot?
Yes, this is an easy recipe to convert to an instant pot. 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).
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 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 1047mg | Potassium: 564mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 504IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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Recipe Rating




85 Comments

  1. Tracy says:

    This looks so good – I will be trying this soon! Has anyone substituted plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream? Any reason not to?

  2. Jennifer says:

    Can I use ground chicken?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes! Ground chicken will work fine.

  3. Mary Hodges says:

    5 stars
    Wonderful!!!!

  4. Dorothy says:

    5 stars
    I was trying to find something to make with my leftover chicken and came across this recipe. I had all the ingredients on hand, except the beans. I found one can of black eyed peas and one can of pinto beans. That’s what I used. It was delicious. My fiance had two bowls and said it was great. Thanks for sharing. I’m going to get some cannelli beans to use next time.

  5. Julie says:

    5 stars
    My family really enjoyed this. I’ll definitely make it again.

  6. Julia says:

    5 stars
    Very Good Recipe – Made this lastnight for a group of friends and everyone loved it. I set out the toppings in separate bowls so that everyone could help themselves. Definitely will make this again 🙂

  7. Krystal A. says:

    5 stars
    This turned out phenomenal!! Looooved this! Serving size is about 8-9 from my experience.

  8. Jeannie says:

    5 stars
    This was very tasty! Will definitely make it again. My husband did request rice to be added to it, a good addition. I didn’t shred the chicken, instead I cubed it. I liked it but hubby say shred it next time.

  9. Nancy says:

    5 stars
    Made this last night, it was really good! Had a nice Southwestern/Tex Mex flavor to it. If you don’t like cumin, you could cut that back a tad, but I liked it. I mistakenly thought I had more sour cream in the fridge than I had, & when I stirred it in it just didn’t look right. So I added a little heavy whipping cream to make up the difference & it worked out just fine. I did thicken it with the cornstarch slurry, & I liked the texture I wound up with. Cornbread on the side, made a nice dinner!

    1. John says:

      How much cornstarch and water do you use for the slurry

      1. Anonymous says:

        Until it looks like pancake batter not to thick but not runny either

  10. tx_born says:

    I believe adding the entire can of beans – with liquid – would thicken the chili.