Crockpot White Chicken Chili
This crockpot white chicken chili is your one-pot answer for weeknight dinners, game-day gatherings, or cozy comfort meals, all while being gluten-free-friendly and loaded with hearty flavor.
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A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Crockpot White Chicken Chili
🕒 Ready In: ~5-6 hours
👪 Serves: 6-8
🍽 Calories: ~400 calories per serving
🥣 Main Ingredients: chicken breast, ranch seasoning, black beans, corn, cream cheese
📖 Dietary Info: Gluten-free, dairy-optional, freezer-friendly
👌 Difficulty: Very easy - layer the ingredients, shred chicken, stir, and serve
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With gently seasoned shredded chicken, beans, corn, and a hint of ranch and Tex-Mex spices, it's creamy, effortless, and made in the crockpot (or on the stovetop) so you can walk away and let the magic happen.
If you're looking for other one pot dinner recipes, try our One Pot Chicken Teriyaki or Mississippi Pot Roast, perfect for busy weeknights.
Jump to:
- A Quick Look at the Recipe
- Why You'll Love this Crockpot White Chicken Chili:
- Key Ingredients:
- Easy Substitutions & Variations
- How to Make Crockpot White Chicken Chili:
- Recipe Notes & Tips:
- How to Store:
- Crockpot White Chicken Chili FAQs:
- More Crockpot Recipes You'll Love
- Get a FREE Healthy Meal Planning Ebook
- Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Why You'll Love this Crockpot White Chicken Chili:
Dump-and-go easy: Just layer everything in the crockpot and let it cook, minimal effort, no pre-cooking required.
Creamy and comforting: The cream cheese melts into the chili for a smooth, velvety texture.
Family-friendly: Mildly spiced and customizable with fun toppings everyone can enjoy.
Great for leftovers: Tastes just as good (or better) the next day.
Hearty and filling: Packed with protein, fiber, and flavor to keep you satisfied.
Key Ingredients:
- chicken breast. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook up tender and shred easily. You can also use boneless thighs if preferred.
- ranch seasoning. Adds savory flavor and a hint of herbs, use our homemade ranch seasoning for the best flavor.
- black beans. Rinsed and drained for convenience and extra protein.
- corn. Canned corn adds a hint of sweetness and texture. Frozen corn works too, no need to thaw.
- diced tomatoes. Use fire-roasted tomatoes for added depth if desired. Be sure to include the juices.
- cream cheese. Softened cream cheese melts smoothly into the chili, making it rich and creamy. Let it sit out for 15-20 minutes before adding.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations
- Make it Vegetarian: Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and use olive oil and dairy-free cream/sour cream.
- Use Different Potatoes: Russet potatoes make the creamiest soup, but Yukon gold potatoes also work and give the slow cooker potato soup a slightly richer, buttery flavor.
- Lighter Version: Use milk instead of heavy cream and skip the sour cream and use half the cheese, the flour roux will still give the soup body and creaminess.
- Add Protein: Stir in cooked shredded chicken, crumbled sausage, or extra bacon for a heartier crockpot potato soup.
How to Make Crockpot White Chicken Chili:
- Step 1: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika over the chicken.
- Step 2: Add the black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes on top of the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Step 3: Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Stir everything until well combined.
- Step 4: Add in the cream cheese and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes. Once cream cheese has melted, stir to combine everything.
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Don't stir at the start: Leaving the cream cheese on top and not stirring helps everything cook evenly and prevents curdling.
- Shred the chicken right in the crockpot: Use two forks or shred with tongs after cooking, no need to remove it unless you prefer.
- Use block cream cheese: It melts better than whipped or spreadable versions and gives the chili its creamy consistency.
- Spice it up: Add diced jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne if you like more heat.
- Make it thicker: For a thicker consistency, mash some of the beans before serving or add a few tablespoons of instant mashed potatoes.
- Double the batch: This recipe scales easily for meal prep or to feed a crowd, just use a 6-7 quart crockpot.
How to Store:
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to keep the cream cheese smooth.
Freezer: Cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Make-ahead tip: You can prep all the ingredients (except cream cheese) in a freezer bag and freeze raw. When ready to cook, thaw overnight, add to the crockpot, and follow directions.
Crockpot White Chicken Chili FAQs:
Yes. Use a dairy-free cream cheese or full-fat coconut milk instead of traditional cream cheese. The chili will still be creamy, but with a slightly different flavor. You can also skip the creamy component entirely and keep this white chicken chili broth-based for a lighter option.
You can. To make a beanless or low-carb white chicken chili, skip the beans and corn entirely and add extra chicken, diced bell peppers, or zucchini. You may want to thicken the broth using a spoonful of cream cheese, coconut cream, or mashed cauliflower to keep the chili creamy.
Yes, but only if your slow cooker heats evenly and you cook on HIGH for the first hour before switching to LOW. Frozen chicken increases total cook time and releases extra liquid, so expect a thinner chili unless you thicken it at the end. For food safety, make sure the internal temp reaches 165°F before shredding.
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Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast
- ¼ cup ranch seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika over the chicken.
- Add the black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes on top of the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Stir everything until well combined.
- Add in the cream cheese and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes. Once cream cheese has melted, stir to combine everything.
- Serve hot with toppings like shredded cheese, cilantro, or sour cream. Pair with tortilla chips or warm cornbread.
Nutrition
Notes
-
- Don't stir at the start: Leaving the cream cheese on top and not stirring helps everything cook evenly and prevents curdling.
-
- Shred the chicken right in the crockpot: Use two forks or shred with tongs after cooking, no need to remove it unless you prefer.
-
- Use block cream cheese: It melts better than whipped or spreadable versions and gives the chili its creamy consistency.
-
- Spice it up: Add diced jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne if you like more heat.
-
- Make it thicker: For a thicker consistency, mash some of the beans before serving or add a few tablespoons of instant mashed potatoes.
-
- Double the batch: This recipe scales easily for meal prep or to feed a crowd, just use a 6-7 quart crockpot.
This was really good. I will definitely make again.
Comforting and light, this chili is easy and creamy and great with a splash of lime or put over rice