Cozy White Chicken Chili Crockpot for Lazy Nights Recipe
This creamy, comforting white chicken chili crockpot recipe is perfect for cozy nights when you want a hearty, flavorful meal with minimal effort. Tender chicken simmers with white beans, green chiles, spices, and cream cheese to create a rich, satisfying chili that’s budget-friendly, easy to make, and even better as leftovers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes (low) or 4 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Entree
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
The Basics
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans (cannellini or navy beans), drained and rinsed
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles (mild or spicy)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped (yellow or white)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Optional but Recommended
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1–2 jalapeños, seeded and chopped (for extra heat)
- Juice of 1 lime
- Sour cream, for serving
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Crushed tortilla chips, for topping
- Avocado slices, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop the onion finely, mince the garlic cloves, and measure out all your spices so everything is ready to go for a smooth cooking process.
- Load the Crockpot: Place the chicken, drained white beans, diced green chiles, chopped onion, minced garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, and chicken broth into the slow cooker. Stir lightly to combine but don’t worry about being perfect.
- Cook Low and Slow: Set your crockpot on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Let it simmer away while you go about your day — no stirring necessary.
- Shred the Chicken: When the chicken is tender and falling apart, carefully remove it from the pot and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir well to mix it through.
- Add Cream Cheese for Creaminess: Add the softened cream cheese to the chili, stirring it into the hot mixture until it melts completely and creates a smooth, creamy texture that ties all the flavors together.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the chili into bowls and top with optional garnishes like sour cream, avocado slices, cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice, and crushed tortilla chips for crunch. Enjoy your cozy bowl!
Notes
- Always thaw chicken before adding to the crockpot to ensure even cooking and food safety.
- Shred chicken instead of chopping for better texture and flavor absorption.
- Don’t skip the cream cheese — it is essential for the creamy finish.
- Avoid overcrowding the crockpot; double the recipe only if your slow cooker is large enough to maintain even cooking.
- If chili is too thin after cooking, leave the lid off for 15-20 minutes to thicken or stir in a spoonful of instant mashed potatoes.
- To freeze leftovers, cool completely and store in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Reheat with a splash of chicken broth.
- For dairy-free option, substitute cream cheese with coconut cream or a dairy-free cream cheese.
- You can make this recipe on the stovetop by simmering all ingredients over low heat, stirring occasionally.
Keywords: white chicken chili, crockpot chicken chili, easy chili recipe, slow cooker chicken recipes, creamy chicken chili, comfort food, cozy dinner recipes
