Crockpot White Chicken Chili is one of the easiest healthy crockpot recipes ever! Made with tender chicken, white beans, green chiles, and a creamy, yet light broth, this Healthy White Chicken Chili is simple, wholesome, and most importantly, delicious!
Dish up this hearty, healthy white chicken chili with a side of homemade cornbread or sweet potato biscuits, and dig into a bowl of simple comfort!
Reasons To Love Crockpot White Chicken Chili
- Healthy, yet hearty. There is no added oil nor is there any added dairy in this healthy white chicken chili! It is low in fat, high in protein, and a great source of fiber.
- Super easy to make. Seriously, this recipe for white chicken chili is nearly effortless to prepare. It is as simple as dumping everything into the slow cooker, setting it, and letting it cook.
- Flavorful, yet not spicy. The chili is full of incredible flavor thanks to the garlic, cumin, and green chilies. Yet the heat level is on the milder side, making it perfect for picky eaters or sensitive palates.
- Allergy-Friendly. Crockpot White Chicken Chili is gluten-free, egg-free, and dairy-free, making it a perfect option for those with dietary restrictions and allergies.
Notes on Ingredients
- Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs for this chicken chili.
- Chicken Stock: Use low-sodium store-bought or homemade chicken stock to control the level of sodium in the chili.
- Green Chilies: Canned diced green chilies are essential to the flavor of crockpot white chicken chili. Do not overlook this ingredient, as it gives the dish the flavor white chicken chili is known for.
- White Beans: Use canned northern white beans for the best results.
- Aromatics: Adding diced onion and minced garlic really adds a nice depth of flavor to this simple chicken chili. Use a yellow or white onion, not a sweet or red onion.
- Spices: Instead of using chili seasoning, this white bean chili is best seasoned with cumin, bay leaves, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. These dried seasonings work to compliment the flavors of the chicken and white beans.
Recipe Modifications
- Make it Creamy: If you are desiring a creamy, cheesy chicken chili, you can add 4 ounces of cream cheese to the chili, making it super rich. To do this, add room-temperature cream cheese to the slow cooker for the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Frozen Chicken: It is not safe to cook with frozen chicken when using the slow cooker, but if you forgot to thaw the chicken, no problem! Use my recipe for Instant Pot White Chicken Chili.
- Spice it Up: Increase the cayenne pepper in this chili and/or add half a diced jalapeno to the ingredients before slow-cooking the chili.
Tips for the Best Healthy White Chicken Chili
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Add the canning liquid. Typically it is best to drain and rinse canned beans before adding them to a dish. However, the secret to keeping this chicken chili thick and perfectly seasoned without the need to add cream or fat is to NOT drain one can of beans. The thick canning liquid gives the chili a nice salty taste and helps to thicken the chili up perfectly.
- Shred the chicken with a mixer. While you can opt to dice the chicken up after this chili has slow-cooked, or even use two forks to shred the cooked chicken, I find it is fastest to use a handheld kitchen mixer to quickly shred the chicken.
- Puree the Broth. This healthy white chicken chili is deceptively creamy, without adding any cream or cheese to this chili. This is because after the chili cooks, the beans are pureed with some seasoned broth which creates a thick, creamy, rich base.
- Add toppings. While this healthy white chicken chili is delicious when served straight from the crockpot, I highly recommend adding toppings like diced avocado, corn chips, minced cilantro, sour cream, or shredded cheese, which add flavor and dimension to the chili.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate: Let the leftover crockpot white chicken chili cool and then transfer it to an airtight container. Store it for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
- Freeze: Because this chili has no addition of cream, it freezes well. Allow the white chicken chili to cool completely, transfer it to a freezer-safe container, allowing 1-inch of space for expansion, and store for up to 3 months in the freezer.
- Reheat: If needed, defrost the white chicken chili in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat large batches in a saucepan over low heat on the stove or on low in a slow cooker. Alternatively, reheat individual servings in a heat-safe bowl in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
More Comforting Slow Cooker Recipes
- Slow Cooker Chili
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast
- Crockpot Baked Ziti
- Crockpot Taco Chicken Chili
- Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
Need more inspiration for planning meals that your family will love? Sign up for my FREE Meal Plans and each week you will get a meal plan with a shopping list.
If you enjoyed this recipe for crockpot white chicken chili, please be sure to leave a comment and review below.
Slow Cooker Healthy White Chicken Chili
This Healthy White Chicken Chili is a dump-and-cook crockpot recipe for creamy, hearty, perfectly spiced white chicken chili.
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Servings: 10
Calories: 141kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 small onion finely minced
- 2 (4 ounce) cans diced green chilies
- 2 (15 ounce) cans Great Northern White beans see note
- Optional Toppings: Sour cream, Greek yogurt, shredded montery jack or cheddar cheese, feta cheese, salsa verde, tortilla chips
Instructions
- In a 6-quart slow cooker, mix together the stock, cumin, onion powder, minced garlic, salt, pepper, cayenne, bay leaves, onion, and chilies. Pour in 1 can of white beans without draining, and then rinse and drain the other can of beans and add to the slow cooker as well. Nestle the chicken in the liquid.
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Discard the bay leaves and remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board or in a bowl.
- While the chicken is removed from the slow cooker, place 2 cups of the chili into a blender and blend until smooth. Be sure to leave the lid on your blender open a crack to let steam escape.
- Slice up the chicken into bite-size pieces, or use a handheld kitchen mixer to quickly shred your chicken.
- Return the chopped or shredded chicken to the slow cooker, along with the blended bean mixture and stir to combine everything.
- Dish out the white chicken chili and top with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, cheese, tortilla chips, avocado, and/or cilantro.
Equipment Needed
Notes
Beans: Be sure to only rinse and drain one can of the beans. The thick liquid from the canned beans helps to thicken and flavor this White Chicken Chili recipe.
Leftovers: Store leftover Chicken Chili in the fridge for 3-4 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Creamy Chili: If you want a super creamy, decadent White Chicken Chili, add 4 ounces of softened cream cheese to the crockpot for the last 30 minutes of cook time.
Nutrition
Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 317mg | Potassium: 544mg | Fiber: 3g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 0.8mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 2.6mg
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Dee Dee (My Midlife Kitchen)
You had me at crockpot. There are simply some days that call for this magical device, delivering great smells and a ready-to-go dinner whenever i need it. This goes on the list now, too!
Kristen Chidsey
The crockpot can be such a life saver for busy days. Enjoy this recipe.
Barrett at Dirty Laundry Kitchen
This looks really easy and delicious. Perfect for this very cold week. I don't even want to go outside at all, but knowing this is ready when I get home will be worth it.
Kristen Chidsey
Oh I hear you--this week is so cold!! I hope this soup will warm you right up!
pam (Sidewalk Shoes)
Perfect use for the slow cooker!
Marye
I just made a white chili for the first time a few weeks ago and it is amazing! The recipe is a little different than yours. My go to comfort foods are always high in carbs... which I am not supposed to have because of my health issues. :p I am trying to find substitute comfort foods and white chili is def on the list. Thanks for sharing.
Kristen Chidsey
Well, this is a healthy version of white chicken chili for sure. I hope you find this dish comforting!
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog
I've never made white chili before but it sounds so good!
Kristen Chidsey
Well then you MUST try this, Sharon, especially if you like mild Mexican flavors!
David @ CookingChat
Looks great! Pinning to my "recipes to try" board now!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks David. This is going in my crock-pot in just a few hours. It is perfect for the rainy day we are having here today! I hope you enjoy!
Madeline @ FoodFitandFam
This looks delicious! My CrockPot SAVES me on a regular basis with my crazy schedule and a hungry family. Pinning for later!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Madeline!! I agree. I don't know what I would do without my crock-pot 🙂
Miz Helen
Your Crock Pot White Chicken Chili looks delicious! This is a fantastic recipe and thanks so much for sharing it with us. Hope to see you again real soon at Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
Elizabeth - Cooking with Milton
I love white chicken chili and haven't made it in SO LONG. I will definitely be trying this out as the weather gets freezing.
Trisha @ Home Sweet Homemade
I like good 'ol chicken noodle soup when I'm under the weather!
This looks yummy!
Found you on Gooseberry Patch!