White Chicken Chili

5 from 3 votes

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This white chicken chili crock pot recipe is loaded with warm flavors and requires almost no effort to make!

A bowl of chili on a plate, with Chicken

This is a great crock pot recipe and I’ll even show you how to make this white chicken chili in an instant pot. Either way, this is one of my signature recipes and one that you have to try!

Some Background on this White Chicken Chili

I don’t recall the first time I met my good friend, White Chicken Chili, but it’s been a treasured relationship for a few years now. 

Partially because we hadn’t gotten together in a long time, and as an “in-your-face” gesture to our never-ending and inhospitable winter, I asked my old friend to join us for a Saturday dinner.  They were happy to comply.

A bowl of chili on a table, with Chicken
Be sure to see our Instant Pot Chili version of this White Chicken Chili!

Featuring all things warm, there was garlic on hand, a couple of chili peppers, and, of course, pepper jack cheese to help hold it all together. 

A whole clove of garlic on a plate.
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The reliable supporting cast of cumin, cilantro, and colorful additions of bell peppers all showed up to help out.  It was a wonderful reunion of old acquaintances and as often happens when old friends get together, it was if just yesterday they last saw each other.

Chopped onion and red pepper in a skillet

As the morning progressed and I carried out the prep duties of slicing, dicing, cubing and sauteing, I was reminded how this reunion was always a deliberately executed event. 

A classic example of slow cooking, each step contributes to the process of finding both familiarities among the ingredients and some new modifications based on individual flavors, boldness, or degrees of subtlety.  

I was also reminded of the central role of olive oil.  Is there anything that doesn’t get along with this staple?  What else can you dab your bread in, use as a means to saute, or apply to your skin for moisture and antioxidant benefits?  Talk about versatility!

A close up of white chicken chili

Eventually, midway through the process everything literally comes together.  Again, this white chicken chili crockpot recipe is where the essence of slow cooking becomes apparent. 

As the hours tick by, the cumin, the garlic, the peppers, the cheese and the cream – in conjunction with everything else,  progressively ally and eventually turn into an entirely new body.

A bowl of chili on a plate with roll and spoon.

As has been known to happen from time to time, our planned evening of entertaining a single couple morphed into a dinner party of 9 adults and six kids.  

Parallel to the featured recipe, the addition of each individual added enhancement and an enjoyable element to the whole experience.  

A group of people sitting at a table at home

Besides the native population of our own country, we had representatives of Italy and Argentina join in and throughout the night, conversations were parlayed in English, Italian, Spanish, and of course the unspoken exchanges that always occur when good friends are together.

What Goes with White Chicken Chili

This slow cooker white chicken chili is pretty. much a one-pot meal. You don’t need to make a lot else to go with it. Maybe some crusty bread, a nice salad, and of course a delicious dessert.

A bowl of white chicken chili on a plate

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White Chicken Chili Crock Pot Recipe

5 from 3 votes
A Platter Talk Exclusive
Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients 

  • 2 lbs Boneless chicken, thigh will give you a deeper and richer flavor.
  • 48 oz jar great northern beans, drained
  • 16 oz pepper jack cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup white onion
  • 1/2 red bell pepper
  • 3 garlic cloves, +/- depending on affinity or aversion to vampires
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half & half
  • 6 to 8 oz. salsa verde
  • 2 to 4 oz can chopped green chili peppers
  • 2 to 4 oz. can chopped jalapenos
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
  • fresh ginger root
  • fresh crushed black peppercorn to taste
  • 1 tablespoon flour

Instructions 

  • Add beans, cream, pepper jack cheese, salsa verde, chili peppers, jalapenos, and cumin to slow cooker, or crock pot, with initial temperature set to high.
  • Warm 10 inch skillet on medium heat and add olive oil.
  • Cube white onion in small pieces, slice and dice red pepper and garlic, saute all three until tender and translucent. Transfer this combination to crock pot.
  • Dice chicken breasts or thighs into 1/2 inch pieces, then saute chicken in skillet
  • Add oregano.
  • Add cooked sauteed chicken to crock pot.
  • Peel and shred about 1.5 sq. inch of fresh ginger, add to crock pot.
  • Add salt, and pepper, to taste.
  • Stir well and cook covered, from one to several hours, reducing temperature to low or medium, once the mixture is hot.
  • If chili is thin, stir in flour to desired consistency.
  • Finely chop cilantro and add to crockpot just before serving.
  • This is complimented nicely by a dollop of sour cream, and hearty Italian or French bread.

Notes

Try this recipe. Add or delete according to your preference, and savor the moment.

Nutrition

Calories: 371kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 109mg, Sodium: 1087mg, Potassium: 645mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 1737IU, Vitamin C: 25mg, Calcium: 358mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
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More Chili Recipes

A bowl of chili with Chicken

Meet the Platter Talk Guys

Dan & Scott split their time between Wisconsin and Southwest Florida and are dads to six boys. Good food runs through their veins, and they love showing others how to cook easy recipes.

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22 Comments

    1. Awesome feedback, Leslie! We’re happy you enjoyed this white chicken chili and appreciate you taking the time to drop us a note.