This hearty, slow cooker chili combines chicken, white beans, green chilis and all of your favorite Mexican spices into a delicious, protein-packed dinner – perfect for busy weeknights.
I love to have at least one slow cooker recipe on my meal plan for the week. Whether I have a busy day or even a slow day honestly, it’s so easy to combine flavorful and healthy ingredients and let it cook throughout the day. The aroma that fills your home throughout the day is a welcome treat knowing the work of making dinner is already complete.
I use my slow cooker so often, I actually have two of them on hand in case one is dirty. You can buy my favorite 8-quart slow cooker here. Easy and delicious, a few of my favorite recipes include Slow Cooker Caldo de Pollo, Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore, and Easy Slow Cooker Beef Chili. Made with the traditional flavors my family loves, they don’t even realize these recipes are good for them, too!
To make this Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili, start by chopping all your vegetables. Next, drain and rinse your beans, and place all of the ingredients into your slow cooker. Then, set the temperature to low and cook for eight hours. Or, if you’re in a hurry, turn the heat to high, and let the chili cook for four hours.
Meal Prep Tip:
Feeding up to eight people, this White Chicken Chili makes a very large portion. Luckily, it lasts for up to five days in the refrigerator and for up to 3 months in the freezer. To save time, be sure to keep leftovers stored in airtight containers, and pop them in the microwave as needed. Even better, double the recipe and place it in the freezer for those cold nights when you need an easy meal.
Frequently Asked Questions:
I recommend serving tortilla chips or crusty bread on the side. Also, feel free to experiment with toppings! A few of my favorites include cheese, avocado, plain yogurt, and cilantro.
True to its name, traditional White Chicken Chili is made with white beans. However, you can use any bean you prefer. Or, leave them out entirely if you prefer.
If you’re White Chicken Chili turns out a bit too runny, simply combine water and cornstarch in a separate bowl until it forms a paste. Make sure there are no lumps in the mixture. Then, slowly add it to the chili and bring the dish to a boil. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, and you will be left with thick and hearty White Chicken Chili.
Yes, White Chicken Chili is gluten-free and allergy-friendly.
Chili will stay good frozen for up to three months. Vacuum sealing is ideal for freezing liquids but if you don’t have that available, you can simply freeze in a resealable plastic bag laid flat in the freezer.
Your spoon is waiting.
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- 12 ounces shredded chicken breast such as rotisserie
- 6 cups chicken broth low sodium
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 14-ounce cans white beans drained and rinsed
- 16 ounces salsa verde
- 2 4-ounce cans chopped green chills
- 2 tablespoons cumin
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon cayenne optional
- salt and pepper to taste
- avocado, cilantro, scallions, plain yogurt, lime wedges optional toppings
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and heat on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 hours.
- Serve with optional toppings.
Chef’s Notes
Nutrition
Want more simple soup recipes? Check out my Pinterest board!
Liz
Hi Liz,
Still not seeing the fire-roasted tomatoes in the ingredients list – should it be a 14 oz can? Thanks!
Liz DellaCroce
Hi Liz ! Sorry about that, I removed them from the new recipe replacing with diced green chilis but you can add them. This isnt a recipe you can mess up. :) Make it your own!
Elizabeth
Hi Liz,
This has been our favorite chicken chili recipe ever since I discovered it years ago. Thank you for your wonderful, delicious creation!
With much appreciation
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so happy you enjoy it Liz!!!
Renelle Roy
I’ve made this recipe several times, in crock pot as well as on stove top. soooo delicious! thanks
Liz DellaCroce
So happy to hear Renelle!
MJ Joseph
I will never get over clicking on a link from Today on Facebook & being directed to one of your recipes (that I will be making tonight!). So fun!! ;)
Liz DellaCroce
No way!! That’s so awesome. :) Thank you friend!!!
gaby
So the chicken has to be cooked and shredded ahead of time? Or can it be raw?
Liz DellaCroce
Preferably cooked like a rotisserie or roasted chicken.
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext
This looks amazing! Love the flavours, so delicious!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much!! :)
Jackie Finkelstain
Greetings from Perú – South America!!!
I can´t wait till winter time to taste this delicious dish.
Erica
I cannot get enough crockpot recipes! Love this!
Liz DellaCroce
Me neither Erica!!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen
My guys would love this soup!
Liz DellaCroce
They sure would Miss!! Thanks so much!
Amanda
Totally love everything about this! Especially that it makes a big batch!!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes girl!!! Perfect for feeding a crowd!
Dorcas@feelgoodfoodblog
Turkey chili is one of my favorites but I’ve never done it slow-cooker style with chicken. I gotta try this and add a little sofrito too!
Thank you!!
Liz DellaCroce
oooo love the idea of adding sofrito!
Marsha
I don’t see fire roasted tomatoes listed in the white bean chicken chili recipe ingredients as mentioned in the description. Are they in the salsa verde? Recipe sounds delish!
Liz DellaCroce
Oops!! I left them out by mistake but the recipe has been updated. I hope you enjoy them!!!
Marcia
It looks like there are tomatoes in the chili in the picture but not in the recipe. Also does this not have any chicken broth?
Liz DellaCroce
My goodness Marcia – forgive me for leaving those items out of the ingredient list!! I apparently need more coffee. It has been updated accurately – many apologies.
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm
OMG all the ingredients in this sound amazing and it looks great! Looks like a crowd pleaser!
Liz DellaCroce
I hope you try it Sophia!
Maryea {happy healthy mama}
Oh yes–bring on the slow cooker recipes! Such a life-saver. :) This looks delish!
Liz DellaCroce
Cheers to slow cooker season!
Norma | Allspiceandnutmeg
This looks so so good. Slow cooker is coming out of hiding for this.
Liz DellaCroce
Yay I hope you like it Norma!
Gaby
Such tasty comfort food! I love that you made it in the slow cooker!
Tina @ My Life as a Mrs
Crockpot & Soup are two loves of mine… done & done.
Liz DellaCroce
Right? Done and done. PS Pass the tacos.
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog
YUM, love a quick chili that can be made while one is busy with other things, this recipe looks delish!
Liz DellaCroce
Quick is my middle name girl!
Aggie
Um, yes please. You know I love this!! Slow cooker chili is the best. Looks delicious Liz…especially with that avocado and cilantro on top!
Liz DellaCroce
Oh man I was in avocado heaven last week!
Ali | Gimme Some Oven
Mmm mmm mmm. You’re speakin’ my white chicken chili love language. This looks awesome!!
Liz DellaCroce
I can’t stop eating Mexican food lately!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective
Loving all the little people shots in this post. The chili looks divine!!
Liz DellaCroce
haha they were going crazy for this soup!!!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
I’m SO excited it’s chili and soup season. Can’t wait to try this!!
Liz DellaCroce
Me too!!! Chili, soup and apples!! Its the best!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
So glad it’s chili season again!! This looks amazeballs:)
Liz DellaCroce
Me too!! I heart chili season!!
Jessica | Saucy Pear
The slow cooker saves the day again! And it’s extra good when everyone can make the meal their own by loading it with toppings (seriously, who doesn’t love toppings of any sort?!).
Thanks for this weekday life-saver!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes exactly!!! Toppings make dinnertime the best!!
Julia
We make slow cooker chili all the time in the fall/winter. I love the white beans in yours–looks great!
Liz DellaCroce
I seriously need to make it more often. So freaking good!
Rebecca {foodie with family}
Oh Liz. Your food. I love it!! This looks delicious.
Liz DellaCroce
The feeling is mutual!!! What time are you delivering the baklava?