Good morning, my friends, from a beautiful, crisp autumn Saturday here in Khenifra! On days like this, there is nothing I want more than a meal that is both incredibly comforting and wonderfully easy. That’s why I’m so excited to share this Easy Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe with you. Imagine coming home to the amazing aroma of a creamy, savory chili, brimming with tender chicken and hearty beans, that has been simmering away to perfection all day. This recipe is the ultimate balance of cozy indulgence and light, healthy eating. It’s a true set-it-and-forget-it meal that delivers a huge bowl of comfort without any of the fuss.
Serving Versatility
This chili is a dream for meal planning! Serve it in a classic bowl loaded with healthy toppings, ladle it over a bed of quinoa or brown rice for a complete meal, or enjoy it with some baked tortilla chips for a satisfying crunch. It’s delicious no matter how you serve it!
Full Recipe: My Skinnylicious Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 4-6 hours on low Total time: 4 hours 10 minutes Servings: 8 Calories: Approximately 280 calories per serving
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (15 ounce) cans Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can sweet corn, drained
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 4 ounces Neufchâtel cheese (or light cream cheese), softened and cubed
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Top the chicken with the chopped onion, minced garlic, rinsed beans, drained corn, and diced green chiles.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cumin, oregano, and chili powder. Sprinkle the spices over the ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Pour the chicken broth over everything.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. This is the magic of a chicken chili crockpot meal!
- Once the cooking time is up, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. It should be fall-apart tender.
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Add the softened, cubed Neufchâtel cheese and stir until it has completely melted and the chili is creamy.
- Stir in the fresh lime juice and season with salt and pepper to your taste. Serve warm.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick preparation: Just 10 minutes of prep! Simply dump the ingredients in your Crockpot and let it work its magic.
- Budget-friendly ingredients: Made with affordable staples like chicken breast, canned beans, and corn.
- Big, cozy flavor: This white chili chicken recipe is creamy and satisfying without being heavy, making it a perfect skinnylicious white chicken chili.
- Nutritional value: This is a fantastic low fat white chicken chili that’s packed with lean protein and fiber, making it a great heart healthy white chicken chili option.
- Customizability: Easily adjust the seasonings, add more vegetables like bell peppers, or use different types of white beans.
Cultural or Cooking Technique Note
The slow cooker, or Crock-Pot, is the true hero of this recipe. This beloved kitchen appliance excels at low-and-slow cooking, a method that is perfect for tenderizing lean proteins like chicken breast until they are moist and shreddable. It also gives the spices and aromatics hours to meld together, creating a depth of flavor that would typically require much more active time on the stovetop. It’s the ultimate tool for achieving a delicious, hands-off meal that’s ready and waiting for you at the end of a long day.
Serving Suggestions
- The Healthy Bowl: Top with a dollop of plain non-fat Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream), fresh cilantro, and a few slices of creamy avocado.
- Over Grains: Serve over a scoop of fluffy quinoa or brown rice for an extra boost of fiber and nutrients.
- With a Crunch: Enjoy with a side of baked, whole-grain tortilla chips for dipping.
- For a Crowd: This recipe is perfect for gatherings! Its flavor profile is inspired by crowd-pleasers like Cha Cha’s White Chicken Chili.
Pro Tips for Success
- Don’t Peek: Resist the temptation to lift the lid while the chili is cooking. Each peek releases heat and can add 15-20 minutes to the cooking time.
- Creamy Dream: For the smoothest, creamiest chili, make sure your Neufchâtel cheese is softened before you add it. It will melt into the broth beautifully.
- Easy Shredding: The cooked chicken will be so tender that you can shred it right in the slow cooker with two forks, saving you from washing an extra plate.
- Brighten It Up: Don’t skip the lime juice at the end! That fresh, citrusy kick brightens up all the savory flavors and ties the whole dish together.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This chili freezes wonderfully! Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and gently warm on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave.
Closing Paragraph
I am so excited for you to try this incredibly simple and delicious Crockpot White Chicken Chili! It’s one of those amazing recipes that delivers a ton of flavor for very little effort, which is a total win in my book. It’s perfect for meal prep and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Please give it a try and let me know your favorite toppings in the comments below. I’d love for you to rate the recipe too!
🎀 Final Thoughts
This chili is my go-to for a “lazy” but healthy meal. There’s something so comforting about knowing that dinner is taking care of itself while I go about my day. It’s a warm, nourishing hug in a bowl, and I truly hope it brings a little extra comfort and ease to your busy life.
FAQs
Q: Can I make this on the stovetop?
A: Yes! For a chili recipe stovetop version, sauté the onion and garlic, add diced raw chicken and cook through. Then add the broth, beans, corn, chiles, and spices. Simmer for 20-30 minutes before stirring in the cheese and lime juice.
Q: Is this recipe good for Weight Watchers? A: Absolutely! This Weight Watchers white bean chicken chili is high in protein and fiber. You can easily calculate the points based on your specific plan; using non-fat Greek yogurt instead of Neufchâtel cheese can lower it even more.
Q: Can I use frozen chicken? A: Yes, you can place frozen chicken breasts directly into the slow cooker. You may need to add about an hour to the cooking time on low.