Description
Here’s a comforting white chicken chili that wraps your evening in warmth, bringing hearty beans, tender chicken, and rich cream together for a satisfying meal that feels like a delicious hug on chilly nights.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 4 oz reduced-fat cream cheese
Vegetables and Beans:
- 1 yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cans (15 oz each) great Northern beans
- 2 cans (4 oz each) diced green chiles
- 1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn
- Small handful fresh cilantro
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 24 oz low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup half and half
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Place 1 lb boneless chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Sprinkle precisely 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon cumin, ¾ teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon chili powder, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne over the chicken.
- Add 1 diced yellow onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 cans of drained great Northern beans, 2 cans of diced green chiles, 1 can of drained corn, and 24 oz chicken broth to the slow cooker.
- Stir all ingredients thoroughly to combine and distribute seasonings evenly across the mixture.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW temperature for 8 hours or HIGH temperature for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes completely tender.
- Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred it into small pieces using two forks.
- Return shredded chicken back to the slow cooker.
- Soften 4 oz cream cheese at room temperature. Whisk cream cheese with ¼ cup half and half and a few ladles of hot chili to create a smooth mixture.
- Stir the cream cheese mixture into the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 15 minutes until the chili becomes creamy and slightly thickened.
- Serve immediately with optional garnishes like sliced jalapeños, avocado, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and tortilla strips.
Notes
- Toss the chicken with spices before adding other ingredients to ensure deep, even flavor throughout the dish.
- Soften cream cheese at room temperature for easier blending and a smoother, lump-free texture.
- For a lighter version, swap half and half with whole milk or use reduced-fat cream cheese without losing creaminess.
- Gluten-free friends can confidently enjoy this recipe, as all ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (LOW) or 3-4 hours (HIGH)
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 295 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg