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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Jordan
Kristen, do you think you could swap the white beans for pinto? Not crazy about white beans but do love pintos! Thanks for the great recipe!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Jordan! I think pinto beans would work well with these flavors. Enjoy!
Di
Excellent flavor. I don't know if I would call it chili or soup but my family likes it. The first time I made it just as written. I now add tomatoes, corn, & rice to the recipe. It's wonderful & easy.
Jordan
Hi Di, for adding the rice, do you add any extra liquid or just keep the 4 cups of broth and call it good? How much rice do you add? Thanks!
Heather
Hello, I have precooked chicken I’m wondering what time frame you’d recommend I place it all in the slow cooker.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Heather! I would suggest 3-4 hours on low for the flavors to develop.
Dana
How much would you say is in a serving? I'd like to be able to count my macros without having to measure it out into 10 bowls at the end 🙂 Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
It would be about 1 cup. Enjoy!
Jackie
Very tasty, but too watery. Next time I’ll cut back on stock and more beans and some corn.
Susan
For your White Chicken Chili recipe do you drain chilies?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Susan! I do not drain the chilies. The liquid helps to add great flavor. Enjoy!
Ashley
I will be making this For dinner tomorrow on my meal prep Sunday so dinner will be cooking itself while I meal prep. Lol! Can’t wait to see how it turns out. Sounds SO yummy! 😋
Kristen Chidsey
Enjoy Ashley! And awesome job meal prepping 🙂
Jamie
Fan favorite. My husband said double the recipe next time. I love white chicken chili and usually follow a basic recipe and it’s bland. This one has the right amount if heat and I love that it’s healthy too. My husband says this is way better than the store down the street that makes it homemade. Thanks!
Kristen Chidsey
I LOVE hearing this Jamie! I am so glad you enjoyed so much!
Carmin
Made this tonight for my family and it was a hit! Even my toddler gobbled it up!
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing that hour whole family enjoyed Carmin.
Barbara
I can't wait to try this! Can you tell me how much a serving is? Thanks!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Barbara! Each Serving is about 1 cup.
Danielle
Quick question please . Do I use chicken broth or chicken stock for this. Ingredients say brothbut recipe says stock . thank you !
Kristen Chidsey
Either will work!
Alice
what a perfect meal for a sick or cold day! I have been meaning to play with a white chili for awhile now, yours looks really great!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Alice. I hope it warms you up!