Emilie Meyer
White chicken chili is a hearty stew made with white beans, Southwest spices, and fire-roasted green chilis. It can be made in a crockpot or slow cooker, requiring minimal preparation and offering a tasty, healthy meal. This dish is perfect for feeding a crowd and can be adapted to suit various dietary needs. The recipe is flexible, allowing for different types of beans, spices, and toppings to be used. It can be made spicier by adding jalapenos or cayenne pepper, and creamier by adding flour or milk. It can also be made dairy-free by using coconut milk.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Slow-cooked stew |
| Main Ingredient | Chicken |
| Other Ingredients | White beans, cumin, coriander, oregano, cayenne, black pepper, chicken broth, garlic, onion, celery, green chili peppers, bay leaf, olive oil, salt, lime, cheese, avocado, sour cream, cilantro, tortilla chips, corn, heavy cream, masa harina, green chiles, chicken thighs, paprika, red pepper flakes, whipping cream, chili powder, jalapeños |
| Spice Level | Medium |
| Preparation Time | 10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 4 hours on high, 6-8 hours on low |
| Total Time | Depends on cooking method |
| Equipment | 6-8 quart slow cooker |
| Recipe Yield | 8 servings |
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients and preparation
White chicken chili is a hearty stew that can be made in a crockpot or slow cooker. The dish is perfect for a family dinner or for feeding a crowd, and it can be adapted to suit various dietary needs. It is also a great option for meal prep and can be frozen for a quick and easy meal later.
Ingredients
The ingredients for white chicken chili can be easily adapted to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. Here is a list of common ingredients used:
- Chicken breasts or thighs
- Spices: cumin, coriander, oregano, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper
- Beans: white beans such as cannellini, great northern, or navy beans; black beans can also be added for extra flavor
- Green chiles: fire-roasted green chilis or poblano peppers
- Garlic
- Chicken broth
- Vegetables: onions, celery, and corn
- Dairy: sour cream, whipping cream, or heavy cream
- Avocado, lime wedges, and cheese for serving
Preparation
- Spray the crockpot with non-stick spray.
- Add the chicken breasts or thighs to the crockpot.
- In a small bowl, mix together the spices: cumin, coriander, oregano, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken.
- Add the beans, green chiles, garlic, and chicken broth to the crockpot.
- Stir everything together until well combined and the chicken is covered in broth.
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until the chicken is cooked through and easy to shred.
- Remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it with two forks.
- Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot.
- If using dairy, mix together sour cream, whipping cream, or heavy cream in a small bowl until smooth, then add it to the crockpot.
- Stir everything together until well combined.
- Cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes or until the chili is thickened.
- Ladle the chili into bowls and serve with avocado, lime wedges, and shredded cheese on top.
Tips and Variations
- To save time on preparation, you can sauté the onions, garlic, and jalapeños in the Instant Pot before adding them to the crockpot.
- For a creamier chili, you can make a white sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, whisking in flour, and then slowly whisking in milk. Stir this into the crockpot towards the end of cooking.
- To make the chili spicier, add roasted jalapeño peppers, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes.
- For a milder chili, omit the jalapeños and cayenne pepper, and use mild salsa verde instead.
- You can use different types of beans, such as pinto beans or black beans, to add variety and flavor to the chili.
- If you want to thicken the chili, slightly mash some of the beans with the back of a spoon while stirring.
- This dish can be made dairy-free by substituting coconut milk for dairy milk or cream.
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Cooking methods
To cook white chicken chili in a crock pot, you will need a slow cooker, chicken breasts or thighs, beans, green chilis, garlic, onions, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and chicken broth. Optionally, you can add in some form of cream, such as heavy cream, sour cream, or whipping cream, as well as masa harina or cornmeal to thicken the chili.
First, dice the onion and mince the garlic. You can then choose to sauté them in the crock pot or Instant Pot before adding the other ingredients. If you choose to sauté, add olive oil to the pot, then add the onions and season with salt and pepper. Sauté for about three minutes, then add the garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds.
Next, add the chicken to the crock pot, along with the beans, green chilis, garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and chicken broth. Sprinkle the spices over the chicken and stir everything together. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and easy to shred.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crock pot and shred it with two forks. You can shred it directly into the crock pot or on a cutting board before returning it to the pot. If you are using cream and masa harina or cornmeal, mix them together in a separate bowl until smooth, then return the chicken to the crock pot along with this mixture. Stir everything together and cook until the chili is thickened, about 30 minutes.
Finally, serve the chili with your desired toppings. Popular options include shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, diced avocado, lime wedges, and tortilla chips.
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Serving suggestions
White chicken chili is a versatile dish that can be served in various ways to suit different tastes and occasions. Here are some serving suggestions to consider:
Toppings and Sides
The chili can be served with a variety of toppings and sides, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, wedges of lime, diced avocado, tortilla chips, and chopped cilantro. For a creamier version, add some butter, flour, and milk to the chili. You can also add cream cheese and half-and-half when reheating the chili.
Spiciness
The spice level of the chili can be adjusted to suit different tastes. For a milder version, omit the jalapeños and cayenne pepper, and use mild salsa verde. For a spicier kick, include jalapeños and cayenne pepper, or roast poblano and jalapeño peppers to char before adding them to the chili.
Beans
Different types of beans can be used to add variety to the texture and flavor of the chili. Cannellini beans, pinto beans, and great northern beans are all good options. Mashing some of the beans can also help to thicken the chili.
Occasions
This dish is perfect for a cozy night in, but it's also great for feeding a crowd at a party or tailgating. It's a versatile dish that can be easily adapted to suit different occasions.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options
For a vegetarian or vegan option, omit the chicken and use vegetable broth. You can also add extra beans or other plant-based proteins of your choice.
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Storage and reheating
White chicken chili can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. It can also be frozen for long-term storage. To freeze, first, let the chili cool completely in the refrigerator, then transfer it to an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. When you're ready to enjoy your frozen chili, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To reheat your white chicken chili, simply place it in the microwave or on the stovetop and heat until steaming. You can also get creative with your reheated chili by serving it over crispy baked French fries, tortilla chips and cheese for white chili nachos, or even over an Air Fryer Baked Potato.
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Nutritional information
White chicken chili is a healthy, hearty, and flavorful meal that can be easily prepared in a crockpot. It is a good source of lean protein and contains various vitamins and minerals, offering nutritional benefits for the whole family.
Chicken is a lean protein source, containing niacin and other B vitamins that support overall health. It is important to choose high-quality chicken that is free from antibiotics and hormones. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs are recommended, as they are lower in fat.
The dish also includes a variety of vegetables, such as onions, garlic, celery, and peppers (including jalapeños and poblanos), which boost the vitamin and mineral content. Beans, such as cannellini, pinto, or great northern beans, add texture and fiber to the meal, while spices like cumin, coriander, oregano, and chili powder provide additional flavor and potential health benefits.
Some recipes include dairy products like sour cream, cream cheese, and cheese, which can add creaminess and calcium to the dish. For those with dietary restrictions, coconut milk or non-dairy milk can be used as a lactose-intolerant alternative, providing vitamins C, folate, iron, magnesium, and more.
The nutritional information for crockpot white chicken chili can vary depending on the specific ingredients and their brands used. Calorie counts can range from 279 to 504 kcal per serving, with carbohydrates, protein, and fat content also differing accordingly. It is recommended to use an online nutritional calculator for precise information based on the chosen ingredients.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need chicken breasts or thighs, white beans, chicken broth, cumin, coriander, oregano, garlic, salt, pepper, and chili peppers. You can also add in toppings such as cheese, avocado, sour cream, and lime wedges.
You can cook the chili on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 8 hours.
To increase the spice level, you can add cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or jalapenos. You can also roast poblano peppers and add them to the chili.
