Description
A budget-friendly, creamy white chicken chili made in a slow cooker. This family-friendly meal uses simple pantry staples like white beans, rotisserie or raw chicken, and mild spices for a comforting dinner that costs less than a dollar per serving.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken)
- 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans (Cannellini or Great Northern), rinsed and drained
- 1 can (4 oz) mild green chilies, drained
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for sautéing)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, half-and-half, or whole milk
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese
- 1 cup frozen corn (optional, added in last hour)
Instructions
- Chop the onion and mince the garlic. If using raw chicken, cut it into 1.5-inch cubes. If using rotisserie chicken, shred it with two forks.
- Place the chicken, onion, and garlic into the slow cooker.
- Add the rinsed white beans and drained green chilies to the pot.
- Sprinkle in the cumin, salt, and black pepper. Toss gently to coat the ingredients.
- Pour in the chicken broth. It should almost cover the ingredients.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fork-tender.
- About 10 minutes before serving, mash about one cup of the beans directly in the pot with a potato masher or fork to thicken the chili.
- Stir in the heavy cream (or milk) and shredded cheese.
- Cover and let sit on the ‘Warm’ setting for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the chili is heated through.
- Serve hot with optional toppings like sour cream, cilantro, or tortilla chips.
Notes
For a thicker chili, mash more beans. If using raw chicken, ensure it is cooked through. This recipe freezes well for up to 3 months (freeze without cheese for best texture). You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, milk, or Greek yogurt. For a spicy version, add jalapeños or use Pepper Jack cheese.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 8
- Protein: 35
Keywords: slow cooker, white chicken chili, budget meal, family dinner, easy recipe, crockpot, comfort food, gluten-free