Hello, my dear friends! As the days get a little shorter and the air a little crisper here in Khenifra, I find myself craving meals that are warm, comforting, and incredibly easy. That’s where this amazing Cream Cheese Chicken Chili comes in! Imagine a rich, creamy, and flavorful chili, brimming with tender shredded chicken, hearty beans, and sweet corn, all in a savory broth that tastes like it simmered all day. This recipe is the perfect blend of a white chili chicken recipe and a classic chicken taco soup, and it’s an absolute lifesaver on busy weeknights. It perfectly balances cozy comfort with wholesome nutrition, and the best part? Your slow cooker does almost all the work!
Serving Versatility
This chili is a true chameleon! Serve it traditionally in a bowl loaded with your favorite toppings, pour it over a bed of fluffy rice, or use crunchy tortilla chips to scoop it up like a hearty dip. It’s also fantastic as a filling for wraps or quesadillas for a fun twist on leftovers!
Full Recipe: The Best Crockpot Chicken Chili
Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 4-6 hours Total time: 4 hours 10 minutes Servings: 6-8 Calories: Approximately 380 calories per serving
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (8 ounce) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can sweet corn, drained
- 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel), undrained
- 1 (1 ounce) packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning mix
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Sprinkle the ranch seasoning and taco seasoning packets over the chicken.
- Pour the rinsed beans, drained corn, and the entire can of diced tomatoes with green chiles over the chicken.
- Pour the chicken broth over everything.
- Place the block of softened cream cheese right on top.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours. This is one of those perfect
crockpot recipes slow cookermeals that you can set and forget! - Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks.
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Stir everything together until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated, creating a rich, creamy broth. This is the ultimate cream cheese chicken!
- Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick preparation: This is the ultimate “dump-and-go” meal with less than 10 minutes of prep time.
- Budget-friendly ingredients: Made with simple, affordable pantry staples like canned beans, corn, and chicken.
- Big, cozy flavor: It’s creamy, savory, and incredibly satisfying. The perfect cross between a taco soup recipe and a rich chili.
- Nutritional value: Packed with lean protein from the chicken and fiber from the beans.
- Customizability: Easily adjust the spice level by using mild or hot diced tomatoes, or add in extra veggies like bell peppers.
Cultural or Cooking Technique Note
This chili recipe crockpot method is a perfect example of why the slow cooker remains a beloved kitchen appliance. Slow cooking is a gentle, low-temperature cooking method that allows flavors to meld and deepen over several hours, creating a rich and complex taste with minimal effort. It’s especially brilliant for tenderizing leaner cuts of meat like chicken breast, making it fall-apart tender and easy to shred. This recipe is one of many wonderful crock pot inspired recipes that truly celebrates the magic of “low and slow” cooking.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic Bowl: Top with shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, fresh cilantro, and sliced avocado.
- With a Crunch: Serve with a side of warm cornbread or use Fritos or tortilla chips for scooping.
- Over Grains: Ladle the chili over a bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or quinoa.
- As a Topping: Spoon it over a baked potato for a super hearty and delicious meal.
Pro Tips for Success
- Soften the Cream Cheese: For the creamiest, smoothest chili, make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before adding it to the slow cooker. It will melt in beautifully at the end.
- Easy Shredding: The easiest way to shred the chicken is to pull it out after it’s cooked, place it on a plate, and use two forks to pull it apart. It will be incredibly tender!
- Control the Heat: The heat level comes from the can of diced tomatoes and green chiles. Choose a mild version for less spice, or a hot one if you like a kick!
- Thicker Chili: If you prefer a thicker chili, you can leave the lid off the slow cooker for the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some of the liquid to evaporate.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This chili also freezes wonderfully! Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then gently warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave.
Closing Paragraph
I am so excited for you to try this incredibly easy and delicious Cream Cheese Chicken Chili! It has become an absolute staple in our home for those busy days when we still want a comforting, homemade meal. It’s the perfect chicken taco soup recipe to have in your back pocket. Please give it a try, load it up with your favorite toppings, and let me know what you think in the comments below. Don’t forget to rate the recipe!
🎀 Final Thoughts
Oh, my friends, this chili is like a warm blanket on a chilly day. There’s something so wonderful about coming home to the smell of it simmering away in the slow cooker. It’s a meal that feels like a big, cozy hug in a bowl, and I just know your family will love it as much as mine does.
FAQs
Q: Can I make this on the stovetop?
A: Yes! Sauté diced chicken in a large pot. Add all other ingredients (except cream cheese) and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in cubed cream cheese at the end until melted. Q: Can I use chicken thighs?
A: Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great and will be very tender.
Q: Can I use a different type of cheese?
A: Cream cheese is essential for the creamy texture, but you can certainly add shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack as a topping.