Healthy Crockpot White Chicken Chili

This healthy crockpot white chicken chili is a dump and go slow cooker recipe you’ll want to make on repeat. It’s made extra creamy with a secret ingredient.

This healthy crockpot white chicken chili is loaded with chicken, green chiles, and white beans. But the best part?

It doesn’t require as much effort to make for something so delicious and hearty!

You’ll just put everything in your slow cooker and let the crockpot do its thing. And if you’re not a fan of soupy chilis, this creamy crock pot white chicken chili recipe has a trick up its sleeves.

It may not have the same bold color and kick of heat as its red sibling, but you’ll be bound to exclaim, “Winner winner, chicken dinner!” after the first spoonful. ?

What Is White Chicken Chili?

White chicken chili is the lighter and less spicy variation of the ever-comforting chili. And as you can guess by its name, it doesn’t have the same red color as a classic chili.

The hearty dish is loaded with shredded chicken instead of ground meat, green chiles instead of red chiles, and (chili purists, look away!) white beans instead of black/red beans. 

There’s also no sauteeing needed for this healthy crockpot white chicken chili!

Instead, you’ll dump everything in the slow cooker, set a timer, and come back to a cozy and satisfying meal. (There’s just an extra step to make it extra creamy, but that’s it!)

Every bowl is full of homestyle deliciousness that will satisfy your soul and stomach.

And if you’re like me, who likes her chilis thick and does not feel like you’re sipping thin soup, you’ll love this slow cooker white chicken chili. 

It’s rich courtesy of cream cheese, but there’s a trick to incorporating it perfectly into the one-pot wonder.

Why You’ll Love This White Chili Recipe

• Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: White chicken chili will easily suit all taste buds because it’s lighter and not as spicy as classic red chili. You can even customize the recipe with your choice of add-ins or serve the dish with your favorite chili toppings. 
• Low-Maintenance: Dump-and-go recipes for the win! This slow cooker white bean chicken chili is low in effort and high in deliciousness. Other than making the “secret” thickener, it’s pretty much hands-free!
• Perfect for Meal Prep: This healthy crockpot white chicken chili is perfect for meal prep! You can assemble it in advance or store the leftovers in the fridge/freezer.

What Does Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili Taste Like?

So, is white chicken chili spicy?

If you can’t handle too much heat on your food, you’ll enjoy this healthy crockpot white chicken chili. It still has some kick from the jalapeno and green chilies, but it’s just enough to keep your taste buds wanting more. ?

The creamy comfort food is more aromatic and savory than fiery hot.

Adding cream cheese also makes the chili thick and crave-worthy, whether on its own or with toppings like shredded cheese and tortilla chips. 

And finally, let’s not forget the you-wouldn’t-want-to-stop-eating textures of this chili!

The combination of beans, corn, shredded chicken, and chiles makes each spoonful super chunky and satisfying. I definitely wouldn’t mind coming home to a bowl of this chili after a tiring day. 

Ingredients For Healthy Crockpot White Chicken Chili

• Chicken thighs – I’ll always be Team Thighs for white chicken chili. They don’t dry as quickly as other parts, and you’ll get a richer taste from these fattier cuts.
• White beans – Do beans have a place in chili? I say, yeah, they definitely do! They contribute to the hearty texture of this healthy crockpot white chicken chili recipe, with the bonus of a protein boost. 
• Green chiles – This chicken chili recipe is family-friendly because anyone can handle its mild spicy level from green chiles. 
• Jalapeno – This is optional to give the slow cooker white chili an extra kick. 
• Corn kernels – Corn brings a delicious sweetness to the creamy crock pot white chicken chili. The added texture also makes each spoonful of the dish more satisfying. 
• Celery ribs – To give a unique flavor to the healthy white chicken chili recipe. But of course, YOU get to decide what belongs in your chili, so feel free to omit celery if you’re not a fan. 
• Onion – Even though this is a dump-and-go white bean chicken chili, don’t forget the duo of onion and garlic for a boost of savory goodness. 
• Garlic – Every chili recipe needs garlic’s strong aroma and flavor. 
• Salt – Remember to drain and rinse the beans for your healthy creamy white chicken chili to lessen the sodium in the dish. We’ll season it with salt, so don’t worry about getting a bland chili. 
• Ground coriander – Make your crockpot white chicken chili with whatever spices and seasonings your palate wants! I think the bright, citrusy flavor of coriander perfectly complements the feel-good creamy dish. 
• Ground cumin – Cumin’s warm and nutty flavor Is another delicious addition for depth of flavor in this healthy creamy white chicken chili. 
• Chicken stock – Be mindful of the amount of stock you’ll use, as it can affect the saltiness and consistency of your slow cooker white chicken chili. 
• Cream cheese – The secret ingredient to get the best creamy bowl of chili. 
• Fresh lime juice – The acidity of lime juice balances the richness of the creamy crockpot white chicken chili. You can also prepare some extra lime wedges to serve with the chili. 
• Tortilla chips – Enjoy your bowl of hearty white bean chili with your favorite chili toppings! You can’t really go wrong with crunchy tortilla chips for the creamy slow cooker chili. 
• Avocado – This healthy white bean chicken chili is also amazing with avocado slices. 
• Greek yogurt – Even though white chili is not as spicy as red chili, don’t forget the yogurt before serving for that boost of richness.
• Fresh cilantro – One of the best toppers for crockpot white chicken chili! I personally think this fragrant leaf tastes better with white chili than regular red chili. 

Tools Needed To Prepare Crockpot White Chicken Chili

• Crockpot for the slow cooker white chicken chili
• Immersion blender for making the puree 

Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Healthy Creamy White Chicken Chili

Green chile substitute

This healthy crockpot white chicken chili uses mildly spicy green chiles, so it’s perfect for those who can’t handle spicy dishes. 

But if you can’t find green chiles, you can keep things kid-friendly and swap them with green bell peppers. Just dice them up and sautee them for this chili recipe. 

How about those who like their meals hot and spicy? Swap green chiles with serrano peppers!

If you haven’t tried them before, they’re hotter than jalapeno. ?

Rotisserie chicken

Whether you’re not in the mood to cook the chicken for this slow cooker white chicken chili or you have some leftovers from last night’s dinner, I’m pleased to tell you that this chili recipe can welcome rotisserie chicken.

Just shred and stir it at the end.

Spices

This creamy crock pot white chicken chili already packs a ton of flavor. However, you can also add spices like onion powder and chili powder to tantalize your taste buds.

How to Make White Chicken Chili

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 2 cans white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can green chiles
• 1 jalapeno, deseeded and chopped
• 1 can corn kernels, drained
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1/4 cup cream cheese
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• Tortilla chips for serving
• 1/2 avocado for serving
• Greek yogurt for topping
• Cilantro for topping

Tools you need:

• Crockpot
• Immersion blender

Instructions:

STEP 1: Gather the ingredients for your healthy crockpot white chicken chili.

STEP 2: Place the chicken and beans in the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with the rest of the ingredients.

STEP 3: Cover and cook them on low for 5 hours or until the chicken is cooked.

STEP 4: Remove the chicken thighs from the crockpot and transfer them to a bowl. Once they’re cool enough to handle, shred the chicken thighs. You can use two forks for this.

STEP 5: Take 2 cups of the chili and puree them with the cream cheese until smooth. We’ll use this mixture to thicken the white chicken chili.

STEP 6: Return the cream cheese-chili mixture and shredded chicken to the crockpot. Add the lime juice and stir to combine.

STEP 7: Serve your crockpot white chicken chili with tortilla chips, avocado slices, Greek yogurt, and chopped cilantro. Enjoy!

What Goes With White Chicken Chili

Serve a bowl of healthy white bean chicken chili like we did: topped with chips, avocado, yogurt, and cilantro! Shredded pepper jack cheese is another favorite of mine for white chili. 

Pair crockpot white chicken chili with quesadilla or scrambled eggs for a filling meal.

Leftovers from this dish can even elevate baked potatoes. Make your baked potatoes as usual, then serve them with some creamy white chicken chili on top. 

Hosting a game night? Have this white bean chicken chili alongside our Mexican charcuterie board and Mexican hot chocolate mousse for an effortless fiesta of flavors.

Tips About Making Healthy White Bean Chicken Chili

• Make your healthy crockpot white chicken chili with boneless and skinless chicken breasts! Just reduce the cooking time to avoid overcooking them. 
• No immersion blender for the puree to thicken the creamy slow cooker white chicken chili? No problem! You can use a blender and pulse until creamy. (But of course, be careful when blending hot ingredients!)
• Try this healthy white bean chicken chili in an Instant Pot! Do the recipe for 11 minutes at high pressure and let it release naturally for 15 minutes. Then, shred the chicken and thicken the chili.

How To Store White Chicken Chili

• Fridge: You can store your slow cooker white chicken chili in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. 
• Freezer: Crockpot white bean chicken chili is freezer-friendly! Use freezer-safe containers (I prefer small ones for single servings), which will keep well for up to 3 months. 
• Reheating: Reheat your white chili on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Oh, and for frozen chili, thaw it in the fridge overnight. 

How Do I Thicken White Chicken Chili?

This crockpot white chicken chili recipe is deliciously thick and creamy thanks to our “secret blend.” If you re-read the recipe, you’ll take a portion, about 2 cups worth, of the chili and puree it with cream cheese using an immersion blender.

Then, add this creamy blend back into the chili for the best, crave-worthy, thick consistency on your white chili. 

And if the dish is still not thick enough for you, you can also use cornstarch.

Dissolve a tablespoon of cornstarch in three tablespoons of chicken broth and stir it into the chili. 

What Is the Difference Between White Chili and Regular Chili?

The most obvious difference is the color. White chili is white, and regular chili, or the chili that immediately comes to mind when we imagine the comforting dish, is red. 

This is because white chili has no tomatoes and uses green chiles instead of red.

What about the controversial chili ingredient: beans?

If you compare regular chili to white chili, the latter uses white beans!

White chili also easily keeps its color since its protein is usually chicken instead of ground red meat, like in a “traditional” red chili. 

So, which chili do you prefer?

You can also whip up the best damn chili recipe and have the ultimate chili showdown at home. (A competition I’m sure everyone will be happy to be a part of the roster of judges. ?)

FAQ About White Chicken Chili

Conclusion

Move over traditional chili recipes. This healthy crockpot white chicken chili recipe will become a repeated weeknight dinner. 

This healthy chicken chili recipe is made with simple ingredients and doesn’t require you to be hands-on. The creamy texture from the cream cheese puree is just luxurious; you’ll definitely be coming for seconds. 

White chicken chili is full of comforting savory flavors with a bit of heat to keep it family-friendly. Enjoy it with your favorite toppings for an effortless meal that’ll make you question what chili is your favorite. 

Love easy but hearty dishes like this healthy, protein-packed white chicken chili? Check out these no-prep dinner ideas, or try any of these next:

• Easy Crunchy Shrimp Sushi Bowl
• Viral TikTok One Pot French Onion Pasta
• Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites
• Gluten-Free Stuffed Mushrooms
• Easy Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe