Wholesome White Chicken Chili with Tortilla Strips

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By Daniel Mercer - November 22, 2025

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Tired of the same old chili? This slow cooker White Chicken Chili is your answer! It's incredibly easy, creamy, and loaded with flavor. Perfect for a cozy night in.

Wholesome White Chicken Chili with Tortilla Strips

Have you ever craved a meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl? Something cozy and comforting but also excitingly different? If you are nodding your head, then you have come to the right place. Let’s talk about a delightful twist on a classic.

This slow cooker White Chicken Chili is a fantastic recipe for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. It is incredibly simple to put together. Just toss everything in, and let the slow cooker work its magic. The result is a creamy, flavorful chili that the whole family will love.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

First off, the ease of this recipe is a major win. It is a true “dump and go” meal. You do not need to spend hours in the kitchen. Just a few minutes of prep and the slow cooker does the rest. It’s a lifesaver on busy days.

The flavor is another big reason to love it. This isn’t your average chili. It is rich and creamy, with tender shredded chicken, hearty beans, and sweet corn. The mild green chilies add a gentle warmth without being too spicy, making it a crowd pleaser.

It is also one of the most versatile Chicken Dinner Recipes you can find. You can easily adjust the spice level to your liking. Plus, the topping possibilities are endless. You can set up a chili bar and let everyone customize their own bowl. Fun, right?

Finally, this White Chicken Chili makes for amazing leftovers. The flavors actually get even better the next day. It is the gift that keeps on giving. Perfect for lunches or another easy dinner during the week.

Ingredients

The ingredients for this White Chicken Chilli are simple and easy to find at any grocery store. Nothing fancy here, just wholesome components that come together beautifully.

  • 1½ lbs skinless boneless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 15 oz white beans (1 can), drained and rinsed
  • 15 oz sweet corn (1 can), drained
  • 4 oz can mild diced green chilies
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
  • ½ cup heavy cream or milk

Step-By-Step Instructions

Ready to see how simple this is? Follow these steps, and you will have a delicious meal ready in no time. Let’s get cooking!

Step 1: Combine The Ingredients

Place your chicken at the bottom of the slow cooker. Now, add the drained and rinsed white beans, corn, diced green chilies, and diced onion. Pour the chicken broth over everything. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.

Step 2: Let The Slow Cooker Work

Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook. You can choose Low for 6 to 7 hours or High for 3 to 4 hours. The goal is to get the chicken so tender it practically falls apart when you touch it. The longer, slower cook time on Low is often best for this.

Step 3: Shred The Chicken

Once the chicken is fully cooked and tender, carefully remove it from the slow cooker. Place it on a cutting board or in a large bowl. Using two forks, shred the chicken. It should be very easy to pull apart. Then, return all that shredded chicken back into the slow cooker.

Step 4: Make It Creamy

This is where the magic happens. Add the cubed cream cheese and the heavy cream or milk to the slow cooker. Give it a gentle stir. This is a key step in creating a creamy Chili Chicken Recipe. Cover it again and let everything sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. This gives the cream cheese time to melt completely.

Step 5: Finish And Serve

After the cream cheese has melted, give the chili a good stir until it is smooth and creamy. Do a quick taste test. Does it need more salt? A little more pepper? Adjust the seasonings to your liking. Serve your amazing White Chicken Chili warm with all your favorite toppings.

How To Store Leftovers

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Storing this White Chicken Chili is super simple. First, let the chili cool down to room temperature. You should not put hot food directly into the fridge or freezer.

For refrigeration, transfer the cooled chili to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. It is a great option for quick lunches throughout the week.

If you want to freeze it for later, portion the chili into freezer safe containers or bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then warm it up on the stove or in the microwave. You might want to add a splash of milk or broth to restore its creamy consistency.

Tips

Want to make your chili even better? Here are a few handy tips. A great topping bar can make the meal more fun. Think about chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, diced avocado, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream, and crunchy tortilla strips. A squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving also brightens up all the flavors.

You can easily control the spice level. The canned green chilies are typically mild. If you like more heat, you can use a can of hot green chilies. Or, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a finely diced jalapeño along with the onions.

If your chili seems a little thin for your liking, you can thicken it easily. Just mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Stir it into the chili during the last 15 minutes of cooking. This will give you a thicker, richer White Chicken Chilli.

No slow cooker? No problem. You can make this recipe on the stovetop. Sauté the onion first in a large pot or Dutch oven, then add the other ingredients (except the cream cheese and cream). Bring to a simmer and cook for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Then, proceed with shredding the chicken and adding the creamy elements.

Conclusion

And there you have it. A simple, delicious, and comforting bowl of White Chicken Chili that is sure to become a staple in your meal rotation. It is one of those fantastic Chicken Dinner Recipes that feels special but is easy enough for any night of the week.

It is creamy, flavorful, and so satisfying. Whether you are making it for your family or for a gathering with friends, this recipe is a guaranteed winner. We hope you enjoy every spoonful of this wonderful White Chicken Chili. Let us know how you liked it!

FAQ

Can I Use Rotisserie Chicken?

Absolutely! Using a store bought rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut. Just shred the meat from one chicken and add it to the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking time. This gives the flavors a chance to meld together.

How Do I Make This Dairy Free?

You can make a dairy free version. Use a dairy free cream cheese alternative. For the heavy cream, substitute with full fat coconut milk from a can or a creamy nut milk like cashew milk. The texture will be just as rich and delicious.

Is This Recipe Gluten Free?

Yes, this White Chicken Chili recipe is naturally gluten free. Just be sure to double check that your chicken broth and any other packaged ingredients are certified gluten free to avoid any cross contamination.

What Can I Serve With White Chicken Chili?

There are so many great options! Classic choices include warm cornbread, tortilla chips for dipping, or a simple side of rice. A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette would also be a lovely companion to balance the richness of the chili.

Can I Add Other Vegetables?

Of course. Feel free to add other vegetables to your Chili Chicken Recipe. Diced bell peppers, zucchini, or even some kale could be added along with the other ingredients at the beginning of the cooking process. It is a great way to add extra nutrients.

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

★★★★★

This slow cooker White Chicken Chili is a fantastic recipe for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. It is incredibly simple to put together. Just toss everything in, and let the slow cooker work its magic. The result is a creamy, flavorful chili that the whole family will love.

⏱ Total Time: 7h 15m
🍽️ Yield: 8 servings

Requirements

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Place your chicken at the bottom of the slow cooker. Now, add the drained and rinsed white beans, corn, diced green chilies, and diced onion. Pour the chicken broth over everything. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  2. Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook. You can choose Low for 6 to 7 hours or High for 3 to 4 hours. The goal is to get the chicken so tender it practically falls apart when you touch it. The longer, slower cook time on Low is often best for this.
  3. Once the chicken is fully cooked and tender, carefully remove it from the slow cooker. Place it on a cutting board or in a large bowl. Using two forks, shred the chicken. It should be very easy to pull apart. Then, return all that shredded chicken back into the slow cooker.
  4. This is where the magic happens. Add the cubed cream cheese and the heavy cream or milk to the slow cooker. Give it a gentle stir. Cover it again and let everything sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. This gives the cream cheese time to melt completely.
  5. After the cream cheese has melted, give the chili a good stir until it is smooth and creamy. Do a quick taste test. Does it need more salt? A little more pepper? Adjust the seasonings to your liking. Serve your amazing White Chicken Chili warm with all your favorite toppings.

Notes

For easy storage, cool leftover chili to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container. It keeps fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove or microwave, adding a splash of milk or broth if needed.

Create a fun topping bar with chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, diced avocado, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream, crunchy tortilla strips, and fresh lime juice.

Adjust the spice level to your preference by using hot green chilies or a pinch of cayenne pepper. If the chili is too thin, create a slurry with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water, then stir it in during the last 15 minutes of cooking.

No slow cooker? This recipe can also be made on the stovetop. Sauté the onion in a large pot, then add other ingredients (except cream cheese and cream). Simmer for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked, then shred the chicken and add the creamy elements as directed.

Nutrition

380
Calories
7g
Sugar
20g
Fat
35g
Carbs

About the Author

Daniel Mercer
November 21, 2025
Daniel is a creative force in the kitchen. His approach blends tradition and innovation, turning simple ingredients into bold, unforgettable meals.

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