(Set It & Forget It)

I woke up late for work and had zero time for dinner prep. I threw chicken, beans, broth, and spices into my slow cooker, turned it on low, and left for the day. Eight hours later I came home to the most incredible aroma filling my entire house. My family walked in and immediately asked when dinner would be ready. This Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili became my secret weapon for days when life gets chaotic.

This hands-off, set-it-and-forget-it chili is the ultimate white chicken chili slow cooker solution. For a quicker stovetop version, my easy white chicken chili is ready in 30 minutes. When you want minimal ingredients, my simple white chicken chili uses just five ingredients. And for lightning-fast pressure cooking, my instant pot white chicken chili is done in 15 minutes.

Why This Slow Cooker Chili Wins

I have made this countless times for busy weeks and entertaining, and here is why it is unstoppable.

True Set It and Forget It: Ten minutes of prep, then nothing to do. Leave for work, come home to dinner.
Deep, Incredible Flavor: Eight hours of low heat creates richness that quick recipes cannot match. The flavors meld beautifully.
Perfect for Entertaining: Guests arrive to an already-finished meal. You look like you spent all day cooking when you actually prepped for ten minutes.
Feeds a Crowd: One slow cooker batch easily serves 8-10 people for gatherings or meal prep for the entire week.
Freezer Friendly: Make a double batch and freeze half for future easy dinners.

The Slow Cooker Chili Ingredients Lineup

This recipe is built for slow cooking success with ingredients that hold up beautifully over eight hours.

The Chicken
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work beautifully. Use 2-3 pounds total. The long slow cooking makes even lean chicken stay tender.

The White Beans
Great Northern beans or cannellini beans provide heartiness and protein. Use 3 cans total. They soften beautifully during slow cooking.

The Aromatics
Onion, garlic, and optional bell pepper soften during the long cooking and create an incredible flavor foundation.

The Broth
Good-quality chicken broth ties everything together. Choose broth without added sugar for best results.

The Green Chiles
Canned diced green chiles bring flavor and that signature white chili taste. Add them in the last 30 minutes to preserve brightness.

The Seasonings
Cumin, oregano, garlic powder, and paprika create warmth and depth over the long cooking time.

The Finishing Touches
Heavy cream and optional cream cheese added at the end create luxurious creaminess without breaking or separating.

How to Make It: Effortless Slow Cooker Method

This chili comes together in ten minutes and cooks itself all day.

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Dice onion and bell pepper. Mince garlic. Drain and rinse beans. Have everything ready to go.

Step 2: Layer the Slow Cooker
Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. Layer diced onion, minced garlic, diced bell pepper, drained beans, chicken broth on top.

Step 3: Add Seasonings
Sprinkle in 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, salt, and pepper.

Step 4: Cook on Low
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Do not lift the lid frequently each lift adds time to cooking.

Step 5: Shred the Chicken
After cooking, remove chicken pieces and shred them with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker.

Step 6: Add Green Chiles and Cream
Add canned green chiles and stir in 1 cup heavy cream and 4 ounces cream cheese (softened or cut into chunks). Stir frequently until cream cheese melts completely.

Step 7: Adjust Consistency
If chili is too thin, leave on high for 15-20 minutes uncovered to reduce liquid. If too thick, add more broth.

Step 8: Taste and Adjust
Taste the chili and adjust spices as needed. Add more cumin, oregano, salt, or a squeeze of lime juice.

Step 9: Serve
Ladle into bowls and top with your favorite toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, jalapeños, or crushed tortilla chips.

Easy Ways to Customize Your Slow Cooker Chili

This creamy base is flexible for personalization.

Make It Spicier
Add cayenne pepper, jalapeños, or hot sauce to the slow cooker in the morning for heat.

Add More Vegetables
Mix corn, diced carrots, spinach, or mushrooms in the slow cooker for extra nutrition and texture.

Make It Extra Creamy
Add more cream cheese or an extra splash of heavy cream at the end.

Go Less Creamy
Skip the cream and cream cheese for a brothier chili. It will still be delicious.

Make It Vegetarian
Skip the chicken and add an extra can of beans plus extra broth. Cook the same way.

Add Depth
Stir in a splash of apple cider vinegar or a tablespoon of lime juice at the end for brightness and complexity.

Go Loaded
Add crispy bacon, extra cheese, or sautéed sausage for more richness and flavor.

Make It Shorter
Cook on high for 4 hours instead of 8 hours if you are in a hurry.

Planning Your Slow Cooker Cooking Day

This hands-off chili is perfect for busy families and entertaining. For a quicker stovetop option, try my white bean chicken chili when you have more time. For a lighter broth-based version, my simple white chicken chili offers quick satisfaction.

For complete meal variety, serve this chili alongside my white chicken enchiladas for contrast. For a different creamy experience, my cream cheese chicken chili shows you another richness option. And for one-pot comfort, my white chicken lasagna soup offers Italian-inspired alternative.

Pro Tips for Slow Cooker Chili Perfection

Do Not Brown Chicken First: Slow cooker cooking tenderizes chicken fully. Skip browning to save time and dishes.
Layer Strategically: Put vegetables on the bottom, chicken on top. This helps even cooking and better flavor development.
Use Boneless Chicken: Boneless chicken shreds easier after cooking than bone-in. Thighs stay more tender than breasts.
Drain Beans: Always drain and rinse canned beans to reduce sodium and excess liquid that would make chili watery.
Do Not Overfill: Do not fill the slow cooker more than 3/4 full. Overfilling prevents proper cooking and can cause overflow.
Resist Lifting the Lid: Every time you lift the lid, add 15-20 minutes to cooking time. Resist peeking until the timer goes off.
Add Dairy Last: Add cream and cream cheese only in the last 30 minutes of cooking. Early addition can cause curdling or separation.
Soften Cream Cheese First: Let cream cheese reach room temperature before adding. Cold chunks do not melt smoothly.
Taste at the End: Always adjust seasonings at the end. Spices intensify during long cooking. You might need less than you think.
Make It the Night Before: Prep the slow cooker insert the night before and refrigerate. Add 30 minutes to cooking time when starting from cold.
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 or in slow cooker on warm setting. Microwaving can cause cream to separate.

The Slow Cooker Chili That Changed Everything

This Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili is proof that the best meals are often the ones you barely have to think about. Ten minutes of prep, eight hours of slow cooking magic, and you have a restaurant-quality meal waiting for you. Make it once and you will make it every week.

Whether you are managing a chaotic schedule, entertaining guests, or simply pursuing white chicken chili slow cooker perfection, this chili delivers deep flavor and comfort in every spoonful.

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili (Set It & Forget It)

Author: danyrecipes
Total Time: 8 hours 10 mins
Yield: 8-10 Servings

Print Recipe

Description

Hands-off slow cooker white chicken chili that cooks for 8 hours while you’re away. Ten minutes of prep, incredible flavor, and restaurant-quality results. Perfect for busy families and entertaining.

Ingredients

2–3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 large onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper (optional), diced
3 cans (15 oz each) white beans (Great Northern or cannellini), drained and rinsed
6 cups chicken broth (low sodium, sugar-free preferred)
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 cans (4 oz each) diced green chiles (mild or hot)
1 cup heavy cream
4 oz cream cheese, softened
Optional: fresh cilantro, lime juice, shredded cheese, sour cream, jalapeños for toppings

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prep Ingredients: Dice onion and bell pepper. Mince garlic. Drain and rinse beans. Have everything ready.
Layer Slow Cooker: Place chicken breasts in bottom of slow cooker. Layer diced onion, minced garlic, diced bell pepper, and drained beans on top.
Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour chicken broth over ingredients. Sprinkle in 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp paprika, salt, and pepper.
Cook on Low: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Do not lift lid frequently each lift adds time.
Shred Chicken: Remove chicken pieces and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to slow cooker.
Add Green Chiles and Cream: Add canned green chiles and stir in 1 cup heavy cream and 4 oz softened cream cheese. Stir frequently until cream cheese melts.
Adjust Consistency: If too thin, leave on high for 15-20 minutes uncovered to reduce. If too thick, add more broth.
Taste and Adjust: Taste chili and adjust spices as needed. Add more cumin, oregano, salt, or squeeze of lime juice.
Serve: Ladle into bowls and top with shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, jalapeños, or crushed tortilla chips.

Notes

Skip Browning: Slow cooker cooking tenderizes chicken fully. Skip browning to save time and dishes.
Layer Strategically: Put vegetables on bottom, chicken on top for even cooking and better flavor development.
Use Boneless: Boneless chicken shreds easier after cooking. Thighs stay more tender than breasts.
Drain Beans: Always drain and rinse to reduce sodium and excess liquid that would make chili watery.
Do Not Overfill: Don’t fill more than 3/4 full. Overfilling prevents proper cooking and can cause overflow.
Resist Peeking: Each lid lift adds 15-20 minutes to cooking time. Resist until timer goes off.
Add Dairy Last: Add cream and cream cheese only in last 30 minutes. Early addition can cause curdling or separation.
Soften Cream Cheese: Let reach room temperature before adding. Cold chunks don’t melt smoothly.
Taste at End: Always adjust seasonings at end. Spices intensify during long cooking. You might need less.
Prep Night Before: Prep slow cooker insert night before and refrigerate. Add 30 minutes to cooking time when starting cold.
Storage: Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months in individual portions.
Reheat Gently: Reheat on stovetop over low heat or in slow cooker on warm. Microwave can cause cream to separate.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 8 hours on low (or 4 hours on high)
Category: Main Course, Soup, Stew, Slow Cooker
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex