Home » Slow Cooker Recipes » Crock Pot White Chicken Chili (+Video)

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili (+Video)

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili is a comforting and delicious meal that will warm you up! Cooked low and slow, this thick chili has layers of flavor that the whole family will enjoy!

A DELICIOUS HOMEMADE CHILI RECIPE

Do you love chili but want to switch it up from time to time? This White Chicken Chili is just what you are looking for. Full of chicken, beans, vegetables and spices, everything comes together and creates a delicious and tasty dinner recipe. This white chili is thick and filling! Top this off with your favorite toppings such as sliced limes, avocados, cilantro or tortilla chips and you are ready to go with a recipe that is hard to turn down!

closeup photo of a bowl of white chicken chili topped with sliced avocados, sour Cream and lime slices.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Is white chili actually chili?

It is actually chili. It is a lighter, milder version of the beef chili many of us are used to.

What goes with white chicken chili?

This depends on how big of a meal you want. I like to serve these with some tortilla chips. You could also serve this with some cornbread or even Mexican cornbread!

Could I use chicken thighs?

You can use any chicken on hand, we use chicken breasts but you can also use thighs. If you’re in a pinch, you can use shredded rotisserie chicken. Since it’s already cooked, add it at the end to warm through.

How to thicken white chili?

Thicken this dish by smashing some of the beans using a potato masher, the starch in the beans will thicken this up nicely. However, this particular recipe is pretty thick already.

Do I have to use dried beans?

Canned navy beans or cannellini beans can be used. I would recommend using two cans for this recipe. Just switch them out with the dried beans.

Is there another name for white chili beans?

The two types of beans that work best for this recipe are cannellini beans and navy beans. As stated above, you could use dried beans or canned.

Can you freeze white chicken chili?

Yes. You can freeze this recipe. Place in a freezer safe container or bag and place in the freezer where it will keep for up to 3 months. To defrost: place in your refrigerator overnight, reheat on stovetop or in microwave.

How do I store leftovers?

Place into an airtight container and place in the refrigerator and it should keep for up to 3-4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave.

bowl of white chicken chili shown in front of a slow cooker and next to a glass of ice water.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

  • dried navy beans
  • canola oil
  • chicken breasts
  • onions
  • celery
  • garlic
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • cumin
  • salt and pepper
  • dried oregano
  • jalapeños (optional)
  • low sodium chicken stock
  • cilantro
navy beans, chicken brests, onions, celery, garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, jalapeños and low sodium chicken stock.

HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT WHITE CHICKEN CHILI:

Rinse and sort the dried navy beans (removing any small rocks, etc.). Place into the bottom of a 6 quart crock pot.

dried navy beans spread out into the bottom of an oval slow cooker.

In a large skillet, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat and brown the chicken on both sides.

browning chicken breasts in a skillet.

Place the browned chicken on top of the navy beans.

browned chicken breasts placed on top of navy beans in oval slow cooker.

Chop the onions and celery and add to the same skillet that you cooked the chicken. Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat, then add the garlic and cook for a further 2 minutes.

chopped onions, garlic and celery in a skillet.

Add the garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, oregano, black pepper and stir to combine.

seasonings added on top of the onion, celery and garlic in a skillet.

Add the jalapeños and chicken stock and bring to a boil.

chicken stock added to large skillet with onions and celery.

Pour this mixture into the crock pot on top of the chicken. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.

chicken stock mixture added to slow cooker with chicken.

Once done, remove chicken from crock pot and shred with two forks.

shredded chicken with a fork on a plate.

Add shredded chicken back into crock pot with the cilantro. Note: if you like a “thinner” chili, add more chicken stock or broth until you get it how you like it.

shredded chicken and cilantro put back into the slow cooker.

Serve in bowls with your favorite toppings (like sour cream, avocado and lime slices)!

overhead photo of white chicken chili in a white bowl and topped with avocado slices and tortilla chips.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili recipe.

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili (+Video)

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili is a comforting and delicious meal that will warm you up! Cooked low and slow, this thick chili has layers of flavor that the whole family will enjoy!
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried navy beans (see notes below about using canned)
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinkess chicken breasts (About 2 large or 3 small)
  • 2 small sweet onions
  • 1 celery rib
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 3 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh jalapeños (optional)
  • 2 (32 ounce) containers low sodium chicken stock (more if you like a chili with more broth)
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • sliced limes, avocado, sour cream and tortilla chips, to serve (optional)

Instructions

  • Rinse and sort the navy beans (removing any small rocks, etc.) Place into the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot.
  • In a large skillet, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat and brown the chicken on both sides. Place chicken on top of the navy beans in the slow cooker.
  • Chop the onions and celery and add to the same skillet that you cooked the chicken. Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat then add the garlic and cook for a further 2 minutes.
  • Add the garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano and black pepper. Stir to combine.
  • Stir in the jalapeños and stock and bring to a boil.
  • Pour mixture into the crock pot on top of the chicken.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours. Do not lift the lid while cooking.
  • Remove chicken from crock pot and shred then add the cilantro and serve. Note: If you like a "thinner" chili, you'll want to add more broth at this point.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

  • If you like a “thinner” chili, just add a but more chicken broth until you get it how you like it. 
  • Canned navy beans or cannellini beans can be used. I would recommend using two cans for this recipe. Just switch them out with the dried beans.
  • Chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts.
  • Add additional salt to your taste. Start with one teaspoon and go from there. 
  • I use a combination of fresh garlic and garlic powder. I like the depth of flavor that it adds. But feel free to use all fresh garlic or all garlic powder rather than a combination. 
  • Top this with any of your favorite toppings that would complement this dish well such as avocados, limes, sour cream, etc.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 7g | Sodium: 794mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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9 Comments

  1. Sounds easy and delicious! I am single, so when I cook I make it count! This will freeze well for me to have on hand. Thank you!

  2. At what point would you mash the beans? Thinking I could sell this as a “chicken soup” if my kids don’t see the beans. haha

    1. You can mash them as soon as they get soft! It will make it more like a stew since the mashed beans will thicken it up. You could always add more broth if you want it more “soup” like. You might also want to cut our to cut down on the cumin. Some kids are super sensitive to that particular spice. Hope that helps!