If you’re craving something comforting, flavorful, and downright cozy, you’ve come to the right place! This Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe is pure magic in a bowl. I absolutely love how creamy, slightly spicy, and packed with tender chicken this chili turns out—and the slow cooker makes it foolproof. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll become one of your go-to weeknight meals too.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to Prep: Just toss everything into your crockpot and forget about it until dinnertime.
Healthy Comfort Food: High in protein and fiber but low in fat, perfect for a balanced meal.
Customizable Heat Level: You control the spice with cayenne and fresh jalapeños for a crowd-pleaser.
Family Favorite: My family always asks for seconds—and sometimes thirds!

Two white bowls are filled with thick beige soup containing chunks of white meat and beans. Each bowl’s top layer has bright green slices of avocado arranged along one side, a few thin, round slices of green jalapeño peppers, a dollop of white sour cream, and a green lime wedge placed on the edge. Small green cilantro leaves are sprinkled on top of all the bowls. Nearby, a clear glass bowl holds white sour cream, and a small metal bowl contains lime wedges, all set on a white marbled surface. A silver spoon is placed near the bowls. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Crockpot White Chicken Chili, white chicken chili, slow cooker chicken chili, easy chicken chili, healthy white chili

Ingredients You’ll Need

The flavor foundation of this Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe comes from a smart balance of simple ingredients you’ll often find in your pantry, plus fresh herbs and spices to brighten it up. Shopping for the right beans and fresh chiles will make a noticeable difference.

Flat lay of boneless skinless chicken breasts, cans of white beans with some beans spilled out, diced green chiles in a small heap, minced garlic cloves, finely diced yellow onion, fresh cilantro sprigs, fresh lime wedges cut in halves and quarters, and ground cumin and dried oregano sprinkled in small piles, all beautifully arranged on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Crockpot White Chicken Chili, white chicken chili, slow cooker chicken chili, easy chicken chili, healthy white chili

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: I prefer breasts for their lean protein, and they shred beautifully after cooking low and slow.
Low-sodium chicken stock: Using low-sodium lets you control the saltiness better—plus, it adds rich depth without overpowering the flavors.
White beans (kidney, cannellini, or Great Northern): Any of these work well; rinsing them reduces excess sodium and keeps the chili light.
Diced green chiles: They bring a mild kick and smoky undertone that’s essential in this recipe.
Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic amps up the savory notes wonderfully.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and body when softened during slow cooking.
Ground cumin and dried oregano: These spices give the chili its signature earthy, herbal flavor.
Kosher salt and cayenne pepper: For seasoning and adjustable heat. Don’t skip the cayenne if you like a little warmth!
Fresh cilantro: Stirred in at the end for freshness and color.
Lime wedges: A squeeze just before serving brightens all the flavors.
Optional toppings: Jalapeño, avocado, sour cream or Greek yogurt, shredded cheese, and crushed tortilla chips make it festive and fun.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love that this Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe is so flexible—you can tweak it based on what you have or your family’s preferences. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it yours!

Spicy Upgrade: I sometimes add extra diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce before serving for an extra kick that my spice-loving friends adore.
Vegetarian Version: Swap the chicken for extra beans and add diced sweet potatoes or zucchini; it still tastes amazing and is hearty enough to satisfy.
Thicker Chili: If you like it creamier, try adding a bit of cream cheese or blend more of the beans after cooking—I do this when making it for potlucks.
Different Herbs: Fresh parsley or a pinch of thyme can change the flavor profile nicely if you’re out of cilantro or oregano.

How to Make Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe

Step 1: Layer Your Ingredients in the Crockpot

First, place your chicken breasts at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker or larger. This ensures they cook evenly and stay nice and tender. Then, pour in the chicken stock, add the rinsed white beans, diced green chiles, garlic, and onions. Sprinkle the cumin, oregano, salt, and cayenne over the top, and give everything a gentle stir to combine. Just like that, you’re ready to cover and start cooking.

Step 2: Slow Cook to Perfection

Set your crockpot to low and let it cook gently for 4 to 6 hours—or go high for 2 to 4 if you’re pressed for time. The key here is patience: low and slow cooking is what makes the chicken tender and the flavors meld together beautifully. You’ll know the chicken is done when it’s cooked through and pulls apart easily with a fork.

Step 3: Shred and Thicken the Chili

Carefully remove the chicken breasts onto a plate to cool for a few minutes. Meanwhile, grab an immersion blender and puree a portion of the chili right in the pot—this step adds a creamy texture without any cream. If you don’t have an immersion blender, blending a few ladlefuls in a food processor works just as well. Just keep some beans whole for that fun texture contrast.

Step 4: Mix in Chicken and Fresh Cilantro

After shredding the chicken, stir it back into the thickened chili along with the chopped fresh cilantro. This brings a fresh, vibrant note to your hearty dish. Give it a final stir, and it’s ready to serve with a squeeze of lime to wake up all the flavors.

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Pro Tips for Making Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe

Use Bone-in Chicken for Extra Flavor: One time, I swapped in bone-in breasts for even more depth—the broth got really rich and tasty.
Don’t Skip the Partial Blending: Pureeing some but not all the beans balances creaminess and texture in a way that feels homemade and satisfying.
Add Fresh Lime at the End: A splash of lime juice right before serving brightens everything and makes the chili pop.
Avoid Overcooking Chicken: I learned the hard way that cooking much longer than 6 hours on low can dry out the chicken—it’s best to check towards the end.

How to Serve Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe

A white bowl filled with light yellow creamy soup, layered with pale shredded chicken and small whole corn kernels visible in the mix. On top, there are three slices of bright green avocado placed on one side and three thin green jalapeño rings on the other. A dollop of white sour cream sits in the center, garnished with finely chopped fresh green cilantro. A thin slice of lime rests along the bowl’s edge. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with fresh green cilantro leaves and lime wedges scattered around, and another white bowl filled with the same soup is slightly blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Crockpot White Chicken Chili, white chicken chili, slow cooker chicken chili, easy chicken chili, healthy white chili

Garnishes

I love topping this chili with diced jalapeños for heat, creamy avocado chunks for coolness, a dollop of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream for tang, a sprinkle of shredded cheese for richness, and some crushed tortilla chips for crunch. These add-ons take it from everyday dinner to something everyone raves about.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides with this Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe are a simple green salad, some warm cornbread, or even crispy baked tortilla chips—perfect for scooping! You’ll find the chili is so filling, sometimes I just serve it with a hunk of crusty bread and call it a day.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve this chili in small, white soup bowls garnished with colorful cilantro sprigs, a lime wedge on the side, and arrange the fixings in little bowls for a DIY topping bar. It makes mealtime interactive and fun, especially with guests or kids.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store leftover chili in airtight glass containers in the fridge where it keeps beautifully for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen after a day, so leftovers often taste even better than the first serving.

Freezing

This Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe freezes wonderfully. I portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags, label them, and freeze for up to 3 months. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you want a no-fuss meal ready to go.

Reheating

I gently reheat leftovers on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge first or use a lower heat with a lid on. I like to add a splash of chicken stock if it seems too thick after reheating.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs will add a richer, slightly more tender texture and a bit more fat, which some people prefer. Just keep an eye on cooking time since thighs can cook a bit faster or slower depending on their size.
How can I make this Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe thicker?

Try blending more of the beans after cooking to release their creamy starch, or add a couple of tablespoons of cream cheese or Greek yogurt stirred in near the end. You can also reduce the chicken stock slightly for a thicker chili.
What if I don’t have an immersion blender?

No worries! Just scoop a few ladlefuls of the chili into a regular blender or food processor, pulse it a few times, then stir it back in. This partial blending creates the creamy texture that makes this chili so comforting.
Is this chili spicy?

This recipe has a moderate heat level from the cayenne pepper and green chiles, but it’s easy to adjust—add more cayenne or fresh jalapeños to ramp it up, or omit them if you prefer mild flavors.

Final Thoughts

I’ve made this Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe countless times and every single batch reminds me why it’s such a keeper. It’s simple, healthy, and bursting with flavor—all the things I want from my meals when life gets busy. If you want a dish that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day, this chili will absolutely deliver. Give it a try—you won’t regret it, and your family will thank you!