(Low-Carb High-Fat Version)
I started keto and missed hearty, comforting meals. I created a white chicken chili using cream cheese, heavy cream, chicken broth, and green chiles but replaced the beans with extra vegetables and healthy fats. One bowl kept me satisfied for hours and fit perfectly into my macros. My keto friends asked for the recipe immediately. This Keto White Chicken Chili became my go-to for low carb chicken recipes that taste indulgent.

This creamy, fat-fueled chili is the ultimate low carb chicken recipes solution. For a classic bean-filled version, my white bean chicken chili offers traditional comfort. When you want hands-off cooking, my crockpot white chicken chili simmers all day. And for lightning-fast pressure cooking, my instant pot white chicken chili is done in 15 minutes.
Why This Keto Chili Wins
I have made this countless times for keto meal prep and special occasions, and here is why it is unstoppable.
- Perfectly Keto: Zero beans, minimal carbs, loaded with healthy fats and protein. Fits keto macros beautifully.
- Satisfying and Filling: Cream, cream cheese, and chicken fat keep you satisfied for hours without hunger.
- Rich and Luxurious: Tastes like restaurant-quality indulgence while staying true to keto principles.
- Flexible Timing: Make it quickly on stovetop, in crockpot overnight, or in Instant Pot for rapid cooking.
- Feeds a Crowd: One batch easily serves 8-10 people for gatherings or meal prep for the entire week.
The Keto Chili Ingredients Lineup
This recipe builds on creamy, low-carb foundations without any beans or sugar.
The Chicken
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work beautifully. Use 2-3 pounds total. Thighs have more fat if you want extra richness.
The Cream Base
Heavy cream and cream cheese create the luxurious, keto-friendly foundation. These replace beans entirely for creaminess.
The Vegetables
Bell peppers and zucchini add volume and nutrients with minimal carbs. Cauliflower is another excellent low-carb option.
The Broth
Good-quality chicken broth ties everything together. Choose broth without added sugar.
The Green Chiles
Canned diced green chiles bring flavor and that signature white chili taste with zero carbs.
The Seasonings
Cumin, oregano, garlic, and a splash of lime juice create incredible depth without carbs.
The Fat Sources
Butter and optional bacon add flavor and healthy fat for true keto satisfaction.

How to Make It: Creamy Keto Method
This keto chili comes together simply and stays in ketosis throughout.
Step 1: Cook Bacon (Optional)
In a large pot, cook 4 slices bacon until crispy, then chop and set aside. Keep 1 tablespoon bacon fat in the pot.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
Add diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Step 3: Add Chicken and Spices
Add diced chicken breasts, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon oregano, and salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Add Broth and Vegetables
Add chicken broth, diced bell peppers, diced zucchini, and canned green chiles. Bring to a boil.
Step 5: Simmer
Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and vegetables are tender.
Step 6: Add Cream and Cream Cheese
Reduce heat to low. Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and 8 ounces softened cream cheese, stirring frequently until melted and smooth.
Step 7: Add Bacon Back In
Stir cooked bacon back into the chili (if using).
Step 8: Taste and Adjust
Add more salt, cumin, oregano, or a squeeze of lime juice as needed. Taste before adding extra seasoning.
Step 9: Serve
Ladle into bowls. Optional toppings: crispy bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, fresh cilantro, avocado, or jalapeños.
Easy Ways to Customize Your Keto Chili
This creamy base is flexible for personalization while staying keto.
Make It Spicier
Add jalapeños, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce for heat without carbs.
Add More Fat
Stir in more cream cheese, heavy cream, or butter for extra richness and satiety.
Make It Bacon-Centric
Double or triple the bacon for a bacon-forward flavor and extra fat.
Add More Vegetables
Mix in cauliflower, celery, or mushrooms all low-carb options that add volume.
Make It Crockpot Style
Layer everything in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Add cream at the end to prevent curdling.
Go Instant Pot
Use Instant Pot on high pressure for 12 minutes for rapid cooking. Release pressure before adding cream.
Add Extra Cheese
Mix in shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for more flavor and fat.
Make It Sausage-Based
Add browned Italian sausage alongside chicken for more richness and flavor.

Keto Meal Prep and Fat-Fueling with This Chili
This high-fat, low-carb chili is perfect for keto dieters, carnivore enthusiasts, and anyone pursuing ketogenic eating. For a higher-carb bean version, try my white bean chicken chili for non-keto friends. For a lighter cream cheese option, my cream cheese chicken chili offers similar indulgence.
For keto variety, serve this chili alongside my simple white chicken chili for comparison. For a quick stovetop version, my easy white chicken chili adds aromatics. And for a different creamy experience, my white chicken lasagna soup offers Italian-inspired comfort.
Pro Tips for Keto Chili Perfection
- Use Full-Fat Everything: Full-fat cream, full-fat cream cheese, whole butter no low-fat options. Fat is the fuel in keto.
- Choose the Right Chicken: Thighs have more natural fat than breasts. Use thighs if available for extra richness.
- Bacon is Your Friend: Bacon fat adds incredible flavor and keeps you in ketosis. Do not skip the bacon option.
- Soften Cream Cheese First: Let cream cheese reach room temperature before adding to prevent lumps. Stir constantly while melting.
- Do Not Boil After Adding Cream: Keep heat at low-medium after adding cream to prevent curdling or separation.
- Skip the Beans Entirely: Beans spike blood sugar and carbs. Vegetables and cream replace them perfectly in this version.
- Track Your Macros: This chili is approximately 5g net carbs, 28g fat, and 32g protein per serving perfect for keto tracking.
- Use Low-Carb Green Chiles: Most canned green chiles are keto-friendly, but check labels for added sugar.
- Add Lime for Brightness: Fresh lime juice added at the end brightens the richness without adding carbs.
- Portion for Meal Prep: Cool completely, then portion into containers for grab-and-go keto meals throughout the week.
- Storage: Keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months in individual portions.
- Reheat Gently: Reheat on stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently. Microwave can cause cream to separate.
The Keto Chili That Changed Everything
This Keto White Chicken Chili is proof that keto eating can be indulgent, satisfying, and delicious. Low-carb, high-fat, creamy, and absolutely craveable this chili keeps you in ketosis while tasting like comfort food. Make it once for meal prep, and you will make it every week.
Whether you are strict keto, cyclical keto, or simply pursuing low carb chicken recipes, this chili delivers satisfaction and macros in every spoonful.
Print
Keto White Chicken Chili (Low-Carb High-Fat)
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 6-8 Servings
Description
Low-carb, high-fat keto white chicken chili with zero beans! Creamy cream cheese and heavy cream base, tender chicken, vegetables, and green chiles. Perfect for keto meal prep. Only 5g net carbs per serving!
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon (optional but recommended)
- 2–3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bell peppers (any color), diced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 2 cans (4 oz each) diced green chiles (mild or hot)
- 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium, sugar-free)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 limes, juiced (optional)
- Optional toppings: crispy bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, fresh cilantro, avocado, jalapeños
Instructions
- Cook Bacon (Optional): In a large pot, cook 4 slices bacon until crispy. Chop bacon and set aside. Keep 1 tbsp bacon fat in pot.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion to pot and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add Chicken and Spices: Add diced chicken breasts, 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Add Broth and Vegetables: Add chicken broth, diced bell peppers, diced zucchini, and canned green chiles. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and vegetables are tender.
- Add Cream and Cream Cheese: Reduce heat to low. Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and 8 oz softened cream cheese, stirring frequently until melted and smooth.
- Add Bacon Back: Stir cooked bacon back into chili if using.
- Taste and Adjust: Add more salt, cumin, oregano, or squeeze of lime juice as needed.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls. Optional toppings: crispy bacon, shredded cheddar, fresh cilantro, avocado, or jalapeños.
Notes
Use Full-Fat Everything: Full-fat cream, full-fat cream cheese, whole butter. Fat is the fuel in keto.
Choose Fattier Chicken: Thighs have more fat than breasts. Use thighs if available for extra richness.
Bacon is Your Friend: Bacon fat adds flavor and keeps you in ketosis. Don’t skip the bacon option.
Soften Cream Cheese First: Let reach room temperature before adding to prevent lumps. Stir constantly while melting.
Do Not Boil After Adding Cream: Keep heat at low-medium after adding cream to prevent curdling or separation.
Skip the Beans: Beans spike blood sugar. Vegetables and cream replace them perfectly.
Track Your Macros: Approximately 5g net carbs, 28g fat, 32g protein per serving perfect for keto.
Check Green Chiles: Most canned varieties are keto-friendly but check labels for added sugar.
Add Lime for Brightness: Fresh lime juice at the end brightens richness without adding carbs.
Meal Prep Portions: Cool completely, then portion into containers for grab-and-go keto meals.
Storage: Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months in individual portions.
Reheat Gently: Reheat on stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently. Microwave can cause cream to separate.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Main Course, Soup, Stew, Keto
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex, Keto-Friendly
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
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