I absolutely love this Slow-Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe because it’s the perfect comfort food with minimal effort. You just toss everything into your slow cooker and let it work its magic, filling your kitchen with those warm, inviting aromas that make you feel instantly cozy. Whether it’s a chilly weeknight or a casual weekend gathering, this recipe delivers hearty, creamy goodness that’s both satisfying and flavorful.

When I first tried this recipe, I was surprised by how tender the chicken turned out and how beautifully the navy beans soaked up all those spices and broth. You’ll find that this slow-cooker white chicken chili is not only super tasty but also incredibly versatile—easy to customize with your favorite toppings or make ahead for busy days. Trust me, once you master this one, it’s going to be a staple in your recipe rotation.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Cooking: Just dump and go—perfect for busy days when you want a home-cooked meal without standing over the stove.
Rich, Comforting Flavors: The spices and green chiles create a subtle heat that’s warm but not overpowering.
Hearty and Nutritious: Packed with protein-rich chicken and fiber-full navy beans to keep you satisfied.
Versatile Toppings: Customize with sour cream, cheese, avocado, or cilantro for your perfect bowl.

Slow-Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work together beautifully to create a creamy, flavorful chili that has depth but isn’t heavy. When shopping, look for quality chicken thighs for juiciness and dried navy beans soaked overnight to get that tender bean texture we all crave.

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Choose thighs for their tenderness and richer flavor compared to breasts.
Dried navy beans: Soaking overnight is key to achieving the perfect creamy texture without breakage.
Chicken broth: Use a good-quality broth or homemade for better depth in flavor.
Sweet onion: Adds sweetness and balances the chili’s spices.
Diced spicy green chiles: Provides a subtle, smoky heat that defines this chili.
White chicken chili seasoning mix: You can find this pre-mixed to save time or blend your own cumin, oregano, and chili powders.
Ground cumin: Adds earthiness and warms up the flavor profile.
Minced garlic: Fresh garlic really brightens the chili better than pre-minced jars.
Kosher salt: Essential for bringing all the flavors together.
Toppings (sour cream, shredded Mexican cheese, fresh cilantro, avocado): These add creaminess, freshness, and a lovely contrast in texture.

Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

Variations

I love customizing this Slow-Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe depending on the season or what’s in my pantry. Don’t hesitate to adjust the spice level or add extra veggies—there’s plenty of room to make it your own!

Spice it up: When I want more heat, I toss in a diced jalapeño or a dash of cayenne along with the green chiles.
Vegetarian version: Swap chicken for extra beans or cubed tofu and use vegetable broth instead.
Extra veggies: Adding corn or diced bell peppers can add sweetness and crunch that my family loves.
Make it creamy: Stir in a handful of cream cheese or a splash of coconut milk near the end to get a richer texture.

How to Make Slow-Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Combine

Start by trimming and cutting your chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces—1 1/2-inch chunks work great so they stay tender but cook evenly. After soaking and rinsing your navy beans overnight, add everything to your slow cooker: chicken, drained beans, broth, chopped onion, spicy green chiles, chili seasoning mix, cumin, garlic, and salt. Give it a gentle stir to combine, but don’t worry about perfectly mixing as the slow cooker will do the rest.

Step 2: Let the Slow Cooker Do Its Magic

Cover and cook on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours or LOW for 8 to 10 hours until the beans are tender and the chicken shreds easily. I usually go for the low and slow method—it makes the flavors meld beautifully and the chicken turns buttery soft. Resist the temptation to peek too often; it just slows down the cooking process!

Step 3: Final Touches and Serving

Once the chili is cooked, give it one last stir. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed—sometimes a bit more salt or a squeeze of lime lifts the flavors. Serve it piping hot with your favorite toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, freshly chopped cilantro, and creamy avocado slices for that perfect cool contrast.

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Pro Tips for Making Slow-Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe

Use Chicken Thighs: They stay juicy and tender during long cooking, unlike breasts that can dry out.
Soak Beans Properly: Overnight soaking keeps beans creamy and prevents them from breaking down too much.
Avoid Over-Stirring: Once ingredients are combined, let the slow cooker do the work without frequent stirring to maintain texture.
Adjust Seasoning at the End: Slow cooking can mellow flavors, so taste and tweak salt or spice levels before serving.

How to Serve Slow-Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe

Garnishes

My go-to garnishes are a dollop of cool sour cream to balance the chili’s warmth and a handful of shredded 4-cheese Mexican blend for that melty, cheesy goodness. I also love fresh cilantro chopped on top for a burst of freshness and creamy diced avocado to add richness. These toppings tie the flavors together and make every spoonful more satisfying.

Side Dishes

I like pairing this chili with warm cornbread or tortilla chips—you can never go wrong there! Sometimes, a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette helps cut through the chili’s richness if you want something fresh and crunchy on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist during game day or casual parties, I serve this chili in mini bread bowls or alongside loaded baked potatoes to make a hearty meal. I’ve even turned leftovers into chili nachos by layering over tortilla chips with extra cheese and baking until bubbly—everyone loves this variation!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover chili in airtight containers in the fridge and find it stays fresh and flavorful for up to 4 days. It actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had more time to meld together.

Freezing

This chili freezes beautifully and makes a lifesaver meal to reheat on busy nights. I portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I warm the chili gently on the stove over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally to keep it smooth and avoid sticking. You can also microwave leftovers in shorter bursts, stirring in between, for even heating. Adding a splash of broth if it’s thickened too much helps restore that perfect chili consistency.

FAQs

Can I use canned beans instead of dried in this Slow-Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe?

You can use canned navy beans to save time, but since they’re already cooked, add them in the last 30-60 minutes of cooking to prevent them from becoming mushy. This way, you still get tender beans with great texture without overcooking.
Is there a substitute for the spicy green chiles?

If you can’t find diced spicy green chiles, mild green chiles or even a chopped poblano pepper work well. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to retain the chili’s signature heat and flavor.
Can I prepare this recipe in an Instant Pot?

Absolutely! For the Instant Pot, sauté the garlic and onions first, then add the remaining ingredients and cook on high pressure for about 25 minutes with a natural release. It’s a great shortcut if you’re short on time.
How spicy is this chili?

This recipe has a mild to moderate heat thanks to the spicy green chiles and seasoning mix, making it approachable for most palates. You can easily adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing the chiles or adding extra hot spice if you prefer.

Final Thoughts

This Slow-Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it combines ease and comfort in one pot—and honestly, nothing beats coming home to a warm, flavorful meal after a busy day. I love how it gathers everyone at the table with minimal fuss and maximum deliciousness. Give it a try, tweak it to your taste, and I’m sure you’ll love having this hearty, creamy chili in your meal prep arsenal as much as I do!

Slow-Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe