Crockpot Healthy White Chicken Chili is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal, offering a comforting, flavorful, and incredibly easy way to enjoy a hearty chili without the fuss. This recipe transforms humble ingredients into a creamy, satisfying dish perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Key Ingredients for Crockpot Healthy White Chicken Chili
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chilies, undrained
- 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies), undrained
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (or vegan alternative for dairy-free)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional Toppings: shredded Monterey Jack cheese, avocado slices, fresh cilantro, sour cream, lime wedges, tortilla chips
How to Make Crockpot Healthy White Chicken Chili
This Crockpot Healthy White Chicken Chili recipe is a dream come true for busy home cooks. It minimizes active preparation time, allowing your slow cooker to do most of the work, while delivering a deeply flavorful and satisfying meal. The creamy texture, combined with tender chicken and hearty beans, makes it a perfect weeknight winner. With a minimal prep time of just 15 minutes, you can have a delicious and healthy dinner ready with very little effort.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken and Beans: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs directly into your slow cooker. No need to chop them at this stage; they’ll be shredded later. Add the rinsed and drained cannellini beans and Great Northern beans to the slow cooker.
- Add Vegetables and Spices: Pour in the can of undrained diced green chilies and the undrained can of Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies). Add the chopped yellow onion and minced garlic to the slow cooker.
- Season the Chili: Sprinkle in the ground cumin, dried oregano, chili powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). These spices are the foundation of that signature white chicken chili flavor, creating a warm and aromatic base.
- Add Liquid: Pour the 4 cups of low-sodium chicken broth over all the ingredients in the slow cooker. Ensure everything is well-submerged.
- Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and easily shredded.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the chicken breasts or thighs from the slow cooker. Place them on a cutting board and use two forks to shred them into bite-sized pieces.
- Return Chicken and Finish: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half (or your chosen dairy-free alternative) until well combined. This step adds a luxurious creaminess to the chili.
- Season and Serve: Taste the chili and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Allow the chili to heat through for another 10-15 minutes on low, uncovered, if necessary, to slightly thicken. Serve hot, garnished with your favorite toppings.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Healthy White Chicken Chili
You’ll adore this Crockpot Healthy White Chicken Chili because it’s incredibly flavorful, wonderfully creamy, and remarkably easy to prepare, making it a staple in your recipe collection. Unlike traditional red chili that can be heavy, this white version offers a lighter yet equally satisfying taste, infused with the subtle heat of green chilies and a comforting blend of spices. It’s a wallet-friendly meal, allowing you to create a gourmet-tasting dish for a fraction of the cost of dining out, packed with wholesome ingredients that nourish you.
The versatile nature of this chili means you can customize it with endless toppings, from cooling avocado and a squeeze of lime to a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of sharp cheese, transforming each bite into a delightful experience. Forget spending hours stirring a pot; this slow cooker wonder is perfect for busy schedules, offering a hands-off approach to deliciousness that will have everyone asking for seconds. So, gather your ingredients and let your slow cooker work its magic – you won’t regret trying this comforting bowl of goodness!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing and reheating your Crockpot Healthy White Chicken Chili is remarkably simple, ensuring you can enjoy its delicious flavors days after you first make it. For refrigeration, allow the chili to cool completely before transferring it into an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat, you can gently warm individual portions in a microwave-safe bowl for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, or heat larger batches in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. For longer storage, this chili freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing as much air as possible. Frozen chili can be stored for up to 2-3 months. To reheat from frozen, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then follow the stovetop or microwave reheating instructions.
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Healthy White Chicken Chili is a testament to how simple ingredients and a little slow cooker magic can create an undeniably comforting and delicious meal. Give it a try and discover your new favorite weeknight dinner; your taste buds (and your busy schedule) will thank you!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Crockpot Healthy White Chicken Chili
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs directly into your slow cooker. No need to chop them at this stage; they’ll be shredded later. Add the rinsed and drained cannellini beans and Great Northern beans to the slow cooker.1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained, 1 (15-ounce) can Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
- Pour in the can of undrained diced green chilies and the undrained can of Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies). Add the chopped yellow onion and minced garlic to the slow cooker.1 (4-ounce) can diced green chilies, undrained, 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies), undrained, 1 cup chopped yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Sprinkle in the ground cumin, dried oregano, chili powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). These spices are the foundation of that signature white chicken chili flavor, creating a warm and aromatic base.1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Pour the 4 cups of low-sodium chicken broth over all the ingredients in the slow cooker. Ensure everything is well-submerged.4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and easily shredded.
- Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the chicken breasts or thighs from the slow cooker. Place them on a cutting board and use two forks to shred them into bite-sized pieces.1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half (or your chosen dairy-free alternative) until well combined. This step adds a luxurious creaminess to the chili.1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- Taste the chili and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Allow the chili to heat through for another 10-15 minutes on low, uncovered, if necessary, to slightly thicken. Serve hot, garnished with your favorite toppings.to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, avocado slices, fresh cilantro, sour cream, lime wedges, tortilla chips