This hearty White Chicken Chili is made in the slow cooker for an easy weeknight meal. It’s a true “throw it in and turn it on” slow cooker recipe, with full flavor and warm spices. 

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili - In a Bowl Garnished with Lime

I’ve seen so many articles lately about how Scandinavian countries celebrate winter as one of the happiest times of year, despite very short sunlight hours and totally frigid temperatures. They celebrate the things they can only do in winter, and take the time to create a sense of coziness. They go sledding, they roast marshmallows by the fireplace, they drink hot chocolate, tea, coffee…

As someone who happens to love the winter season, I agree with this mindset. My appreciation for the cold months is fostered by lots of homemade soup and chili, fuzzy socks, and cuddling up in big fluffy blankets. These things just aren’t as good in the summer, and I’ve talked plenty before about how much I treasure soup season.

White Chicken Chili in a Bowl with Swanson Organic Stock in background

Whether it’s three bean, tomato beef, or the white bean chicken chili I’m sharing in today’s post, chili is a wintertime staple for me. I love a big bowl of chili for dinner, loaded up with fun toppings.

Chili often has a lot of ingredients, but it’s easy to make. I used to make chili on the stovetop but I’ve now come to make it exclusively in the slow cooker. The slow cooker has the stove beat for “low and slow” and I find it makes for the most tender and cohesively spiced chili.

Plus, when you make chili in the slow cooker instead of on the stove, you don’t have to watch it. This is the biggest reason we all love our slow cookers, right?

White Bean Chicken Chili in Bowl with Avocado

To make the chili, I’m using chicken thighs, white beans, green chiles, onion, garlic, chicken stock, salt, and spices.  

Chicken Stock, Chiles, Chicken, Beans, Spices, Onion, Garlic, and Salt on Cutting Board

Here’s a closeup of the spices, which are ground cumin, chili powder, ground coriander, and oregano.

Assortment of Spices in Glass Bowl

Even though chili has a lot of spices to flavor the liquid, I always use stock instead of water. When I see chili recipes suggest adding water, I always think there’s an opportunity to add more flavor by using stock or broth.

To get started, season boneless, skinless chicken thighs on both sides with salt, then place into the crock of your slow cooker.

Chicken Thighs in a Slow Cooker crock

Add rinsed and drained cannelini beans, or another white bean of your choice.

Beans and chicken in Slow Cooker crock

Then add diced green chiles.

Canned Diced Green Chiles Added to Crock Pot

Next up, add diced red onion and minced garlic.

Red Onion and Garlic Added to Crock Pot

Add a few grinds of black pepper and all of the spices.

Mexican Spices Added to Crock Pot

To finish it off, add one 32-ounce carton of chicken stock, which is about 4 cups of liquid.

Pouring Chicken Stock Into Crock Pot for Chili

This stock is made with organic vegetables and free-range chicken raised without added hormones or antibiotics. All things I love for the food I eat!

Turn the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3 hours.

Remove the chicken from the liquid, and shred with two forks.

Shredded Chicken Thighs on plate

Then remove two cups of the chili, making sure to get some of the beans and chiles in there, and puree in a food processor. This will give you a slightly thickened consistency.

Spoon Showing Chile Broth Consistency

Add the pureed chili and the shredded chicken back to the rest of the chili in the crock.

White Bean Chicken Chili in Slow Cooker Crock

Serve the chili in bowls, and get ready to load it up with lots of toppings.

White Beans and Chicken Thigh Shreds in Chili Broth in Bowl

My “always toppings” are Monterey Jack Cheese, fresh cilantro, and sour cream, but I often like to throw diced avocado and a squeeze of fresh lime in there too.

Avocado White Chicken Chili in a white bowl

Enjoy!

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili - In a Bowl Garnished with Lime and Cilantro

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

This White Chicken Chili is made in the slow cooker for an easy, simple weeknight meal. It’s a true “throw it in and turn it on” slow cooker recipe, with full flavor and warm spices.
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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 15-ounce can cannelini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 4-ounce cans diced green chiles
  • 1 cup diced red onion
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chile powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 32-ounce carton chicken stock (about 4 cups)

For the toppings:

  • Diced avocado
  • Cilantro
  • Sour cream
  • Lime wedges
  • Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • Tortilla chips

Instructions 

  • Lay the chicken thighs out in a single layer and season both sides evenly with the salt.
  • In a slow cooker, place the seasoned chicken thighs in the bottom of the crock. Add the cannelini beans, diced green chiles, diced red onion, minced garlic, ground cumin, chile powder, ground coriander, dried oregano, ground black pepper, and chicken stock.
  • Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for about 3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked.
  • Remove the chicken to a plate and shred with two forks. Set aside.
  • For a thicker consistency, remove two cups of the chile to a food processor (making sure you get some of the beans and chilies in there), and puree until smooth. Return this mixture to the crock, and add the shredded chicken as well. Add more salt or pepper, to taste.
  • Serve the chile with desired toppings, and enjoy!

Notes

Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 683kcal, Carbohydrates: 80g, Protein: 66g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 167mg, Sodium: 1071mg, Fiber: 18g, Sugar: 7g

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.