This easy one pot Creamy White Chicken Chili is the perfect meal to warm up to on a busy fall day. Made with tender shredded chicken, diced green chilis (for just the right amount of heat), and sour cream + cream for the perfect tang and cream. It’s creamy so delicious. Top each bowl of chili with plenty of cheese, fresh cilantro, and avocado too.I'll show you how to make it in the slow-cooker or crockpot, instant pot and on the stove top.
I really love this white chicken chili recipe and you will too! I make it frequently so I have easy lunch options on hand that take me only minutes to prepare. This chili stores amazing so I can make a whole batch for my meal prep.
I love to make these breadsticks or this cornbread alongside. It compliments the dish perfectly.
Why You Will Love Recipe for White Chicken Chili
- Hearty and Satisfying. Meals that are full of protein and fiber are more likely to keep you feeling satisfied longer which may mean you are eating less frequently. (source)
- Easy to Make. This white chili recipe uses easily accessible ingredients and is done in just about 30 minutes!
- One Pot Meal: One pot meals are my favorite to make! Plus it makes a big batch, freezes well, and also is easy to reheat.
- Choose Your Favorite Cooking Method. I'll tell you how to make this not only stove top but it's also a slow cooker recipe and easy to make in the instant pot. So no matter how your evening looks you can get it done!
Ingredients for White Chili with Chicken and Beans
You'll find all of these ingredients are not only easy to find but very inexpensive!
- Chicken Breast- I use fresh chicken breast the best. If you love dark meat you can also sub for a chicken thigh too. On an evening with little prep time you can even throw in rotisserie chicken! I find that using raw chicken give it the best flavor.
- Great Northern Beans- Great northern beans are a white bean. They are my favorite to use, If for some reason you cannot find them at your store you can use navy beans, white beans or cannellini beans. You can even sub them for kidney beans.
- Vegetable Broth- Buy a quality vegetable broth. I love the brand Pacific. Broth is one of the few groceries items I recommend finding a really good quality. You can tell great quality broth not only by its delicious flavor but it is usually a little thicker and a deeper color than a generic brand broth.
- Aromatics- Diced onion, garlic (try the frozen garlic cubes!), dried oregano and cilantro.
- Diced Green Chili's- You can buy diced green chili's in a variety of heat levels. If you like mild- to medium heat I still recommend buying mild chilis.
- Creams- You will use both heavy whipping cream and sour cream. They both add different creamy flavors!
How To Make Creamy White Chicken Chili Recipe
I'm showing the stove-top method here, but they are very similar for slow-cooker and instant pot methods. Check below for crock-pot white chicken chili recipe and instant pot white chicken chili instructions.
- Over med-high heat saute onions and garlic in a little bit of olive oil until onions are tender and translucent.
- Add your chicken breasts, green chilis, salt and oregano to a pot.
- Pour in your vegetable broth.
- Boil your chicken until it is tender. About 15-20 minutes. Depending on the thickness and size of your chicken breast this time will vary. Then shred.
- Add your beans and cilantro. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes. You will not want to add your cream and sour cream until right before serving. You do not want them to boil.
- Remove from heat and add heavy cream.
- Stir in your sour cream.
- Garnish as desired and serve hot!
What Do I Top Creamy White Chili With?
This chili is so flavorful and hearty you can serve it as is! But here are a few other suggestions to serve on your white chili.
- Avocado
- Cheese
- Cilantro
- Green Onions
- Fresh Lime
- Crunchy Corn Tortilla Chips
- For Extra spice add fresh sliced jalapeños.
Different Cooking Methods for Creamy White Chili
- Slow Cooker Chicken White Chili- The recipe is is so easy to make in the crock pot. Place all ingredients except fresh cilantro, heavy cream and sour cream in the crock pot. Cook on high for 3-4 hours and low for 6-8 hours. Or until the chicken is pull apart tender. Shred chicken then add cilantro, sour cream and heavy cream.
- Instant Pot White Chicken Chili- To make white chicken chili in the instant add chicken breast to instant pot with 1 cup broth. Cook on poultry setting. Drain, shred chicken. Add beans, onion, garlic, broth, green chilis, spices and cook on high for 2 minutes. Quick release, add cilantro, sour cream and heavy cream.
FAQ's for Creamy White Chicken Chili
How Do I Store Creamy White Chicken Chili?
Place in an airtight container and store in the fridge.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this chili is gluten free!
Is This a Mild Chili Recipe?
Yes! Sometimes green chili's will have more spice than expected. If you have a very low tolerance to any spice cut the diced green chilis in half and only use one can.
Looking For other Chili and Delicious Soup Recipes? Try These!
White Chicken Chile Recipe
Delcious, creamy chicken and white bean chili.
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Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 368kcal
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 large boneless/skinless chicken breats cut into bite size pieces
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves
- 45 ounces great northern white beans rinsed and drained 3 cans
- 32 ounces vegetable broths
- 8 ounces diced green chilies
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- a few twists of pepper grinder or ½ tsp
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup whipping cream
Instructions
Stove-top instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add in your chicken breast, green chili, salt, oregano, cumin and broth. Bring to a boil and cover. Simmer chicken until cooked and pull apart tender. About 15-20 minutes. It depends on the thickness of your chicken. Shred chicken.
- Add beans and cilantro. Simmer for 5-10 more minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in sour cream and cream.
Pressure Cooker Instructions
- Add 2-3 chicken breast to instant pot with 1 cup water or broth. Cook on poultry setting. Drain, shred chicken. Add beans, onion, garlic, broth, green chilis, spices and cook on high for 2 minutes.
- Quick release, add sour cream and heavy cream. Stir together and serve.
Slow cooker Instructions
- Add chicken, beans, spices, garlic, onion and broth in slow cooker. Allow to cook on low 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours. When done remove chicken, and shred. Add chicken back in and also add heavy cream and sour cream. Stir together and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Do not allow chili to come to a boil after you have added the cream and sour cream. Keep on low heat.
Use oregano leaves, not ground oregano.
If serving for kids use mild green chili's.
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Nutrition
Calories: 368kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 884mg | Potassium: 920mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 373IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 5mg
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Emily says
Hi there, how long do you cook the chicken for in the instant pot instructions?
Desarae says
The chicken can vary depending on your pressure cooker- but you can just push "poultry/chicken" button or if its frozen add a few more minutes. I'd say thaw- 22 minutes, frozen 25-26 minutes :)
Becky says
This is different than the recipe that used to be here. The other had Johhny’s Garlic spread and seasoning in it. Why the change? That one was my go to recipe.????
Desarae says
No, other than Johnny's garlic spread the recipe is the same. It's not sold in stores anymore and is expensive to buy online so I just updated to garlic salt, a much more affordable and obtainable spice for our readers :) if you have some just sub it for the garlic salt.
Becky says
Ok, good to know! Thanks for the response! I’m still able to find it at Costco.
Stephanie B Whipple says
My hubby LOVES this soup. We make it on a regular basis! So easy and so yummy.
Stephanie says
This is of my favorite go to recipes!
Aubrey says
It's kind of delicious isn't it?! Thanks for your comment Stephanie!
Brian Smith says
I love white chili....have to try this asap!! Sounds delicious and the instructions are easy too! Thanks!
Aubrey says
Thanks Brian! This is our go-to white chili recipe. We make it regularly in the cold months :) Enjoy!
Ellen J. says
This is one of my husbands FAVORITE recipes from this site, when I make this creamy, delicious chili there is none that goes to waste. We eat it for dinner and take the rest for lunch the next day. It makes great leftovers!
Anna says
Love. Love. Love this soup.