Easy White Bean Chili with Chicken is loaded with shredded chicken, white beans, chicken stock, cumin, and enough roasted green chilies in it to give it that ‘wow’ factor from the very first spoonful to the very last drop!
This white bean chili with chicken comes together in less than 15 minutes and slowly cooks in your favorite slower cooker or crockpot for a few hours ( and even in the Instant Pot).
It feeds a crowd of 8 to 10 and freezes well for extra meals. Chicken makes this a low-fat alternative to traditional beef chili.
Perfect for any gathering and game nights.
As you know, cooking homemade chili is a great recipe for the crockpot or slow cooker, and until recently, I now enjoy a new way of cooking chili, and lovin’ it!
I usually make chili the more traditional way, on stove-top like our easy vegetarian chili. But I enjoy making it with my slow cooker too.
Besides, I made this one in my home, and made it again while I was in NY visiting a few weeks ago, but not as spicy, and made it more on the mild side for my daughter to save and freeze.
This is an easy 2 step process.
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First, you will need to sauté some onions and garlic, until they are fully cooked and caramelized. This will give more flavor to the chili.
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Next, grill 2 chicken breasts in the same skillet (for easy clean up) until they are nicely cooked on both sides.
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Then place all the ingredients into your crock or slow cooker and turn it on.
A super easy meal to put together and it’s positively delicious every time.
Easy White Bean Chili with Chicken is definitely a winner! We think it’s the Best Tasting White Bean Chicken Chili ever! It just bursts with so much flavor, you have to give it a try!
Keep in mind, this recipe is hot and spicy for heat lovers. But if you prefer milder, then reduce the amount of roasted green chilies to only 1 can (4 ounces), instead of two.
Serve it with our homemade Cheesy Mini Biscuits (Jim’s n Nicks Copycat) on the side and enjoy!
Cheers!
*Follow along below or jump down to the bottom of this post for our full recipe card.
Ingredients Needed for Easy White Bean Chili with Chicken:
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3 cans (15-ounces) white beans, rinsed and drained- divided
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4 cups (32-ounces) organic chicken broth
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1 Tbsp. olive oil
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1 Tbsp. butter
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2 onions- chopped
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3 large garlic cloves- chopped
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2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
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2 cans (4-ounces) roasted green chilies diced- drained,
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1 Tbsp. ground cumin
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1/4 tsp. salt
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1/8 tsp. cracked black pepper
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shredded mild cheddar cheese, to garnish
1. Turn on your crockpot to “High” temperature.
2. Add the chicken broth and 2 cans (rinsed) of beans into the crockpot. And cover. (*Reserve the 3rd can of beans for later.)
3. Meantime, while beans and broth are getting started.
4. In a skillet, heat olive oil and butter on medium heat, until butter is melted.
5. Add the garlic and onions and sauté, stirring until they are softened and golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add the onion mixture to the crockpot or slow cooker.
6. Prepare the chicken. Sprinkle some salt and pepper over chicken breasts.
7. Place chicken into the same skillet, and grill chicken for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. (No need to add any oil or butter.) Transfer chicken into the crock-pot.
8. Add the chilies, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Stir once or twice. Cover.
9. Cook on “High” for 4 hours, or on Low for 8 hours. (I cooked it on High for 4 hrs.) Total prep time: 15 minutes.
10. *Add in the 3rd can (rinsed) of beans, 15 minutes before you finish the cooking. If you prefer more liquid, add an additional 1/2 cup of water to the mixture.
11. Remove the chicken and shred it. Set it aside. Remove 1+ 1/2 cups of beans with 1/2 cup of liquid and puree in a blender. Return creamy mixture and shredded chicken to the crock-pot or slow cooker.
12. Change the temperature to “Warm” or turn it off completely. It will keep the chili warm until you are ready to serve. Serve into individual bowls. Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Serve with sour cream on the side.
Yields: 3 quarts
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Yield: 8 to 10
EASY White Bean Chili with Chicken
Easy White Bean Chili with Chicken is loaded with shredded chicken, white beans, chicken stock, cumin, and enough roasted green chilies in it to give it that 'wow' factor from the very first spoonful to the very last drop! The perfect meal for the Crock-Pot or Slow Cooker!
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
4 hours
Total Time
4 hours 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 cans (15-ounces) white beans, rinsed and drained- divided
- 4 cups (32-ounces) organic chicken broth
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 Tbsp. butter
- 2 onions- chopped
- 3 large garlic cloves- chopped
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
- 2 cans (4-ounces) roasted green chilies diced- drained,
- 1 Tbsp. ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. cracked black pepper
- shredded mild cheddar cheese, to garnish
Instructions
- Turn on your crockpot or slow cooker to High temperature.
- Add the chicken broth and 2 cans (rinsed) of beans into the pot. And cover.
- *Reserve the 3rd can of beans for later.
- Meantime, while beans and broth are getting started.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and butter on medium heat, until butter is melted.
- Add the garlic and onions and sauté, stirring until they are softened and golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add the onion mixture to the crockpot or slow cooker.
- Prepare the chicken. Sprinkle some salt and pepper over chicken breasts.
- Place chicken into the same skillet, and grill chicken for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. (No need to add any oil or butter.) Transfer chicken into the crock-pot.
- Add the chilies, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Stir once or twice. Cover.
- Cook on High for 4 hours, or on Low for 8 hours. (I cooked it on High for 4 hrs.) Total prep time: 15 minutes.
- *Add in the 3rd can (rinsed) of beans, 15 minutes before you finish the cooking. If you prefer more liquid, add an additional 1/2 cup of water to the mixture.
- Remove the chicken and shred it. Set it aside.
- Remove 1+ 1/2 cups of beans with 1/2 cup of liquid and puree in a blender. Return creamy mixture and shredded chicken to the crock-pot or slow cooker. Change setting to 'Warm' or turn it off completely. It will keep the chili warm until you are ready to serve. Serve into individual bowls. Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Serve with sour cream on the side.
- Yields: 3 quarts
Notes
If you prefer less liquid, remove the cover of your slow cooker for the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking, This will help evaporate some of the liquid.
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16 Comments
sherry
February 11, 2021 at 12:10 amthis looks wonderful. i love beans and i love chicken! and i love chilli:)
by Anna and Liz
February 16, 2021 at 7:35 amThanks so much Sherry! The flavors in this chicken chili are truly delicious. This recipe is a winner! Enjoy!!
Mimi
February 7, 2021 at 9:34 amThis looks so good! Maybe I spent too many years in Texas, cause if I go to make chili, I’ll make it the traditional way with chunks of beef, even though I’ve seen white chili for years and there’s certainly nothing not appealing about it! So I’m printing this. I know we’ll love it. I might even add a can of hominy to it. Probably another Texas thing!
by Anna and Liz
February 7, 2021 at 11:21 amAw, Thank you Mimi! I think you will love this one! CHEERS!
Roz Corieri Paige
January 24, 2016 at 5:43 pmI need to make some white chili! So much healthier for us! Did you get any of this cold weather blast in Charleston? Your chili would have been greatly appreciated in my home this chilly weekend! Stay warm Liz and Anna!
xo
annaliz
January 25, 2016 at 3:18 amYes Roz – it's freezing here! but it's much worse in the North with all that snow!
Hope you are cooking up a storm. Xoxo thanks for stopping by.
dentistvschef
October 23, 2014 at 9:54 pmDamn delicious and comforting spicy chicken!!!!
annaliz
October 24, 2014 at 12:12 amOh thank you -and we agree. Thanks for stopping by!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
October 23, 2014 at 8:22 pmLove that WOW factor 🙂 I know you will love your visit – grandchildren are such a blessing! You can come visit me and I'll make sure my oven is working – you can cook at my house anytime! Have a great time Anna~!
annaliz
October 24, 2014 at 12:09 amTricia ! You made me laugh- I would Love to come to your home and cook for the entire family.. And you can bake your fabulous cookies for me ! Thank you for stopping by!
SavoringTime in the Kitchen
October 23, 2014 at 1:17 pmEnjoy your visit! Definitely a challenge not having a stove top but you came up with a great alternative. Your white bean chili looks wonderful!
annaliz
October 24, 2014 at 12:05 amThank you Sue! I never used a crockpot before, but it's fun trying to come up with new ways to cook with it.
Joanne
October 23, 2014 at 11:28 amSuch a hearty comfort food! LOVE white chili.
annaliz
October 24, 2014 at 12:06 amI know right ? We love this one too!
Amy (Savory Moments)
October 23, 2014 at 12:46 amI love a bowl of chicken chili on a cool day. This looks like a tasty recipe!
annaliz
October 23, 2014 at 11:51 pmAmy you have to try this one. It's so delicious it is addicting!
Thanks for stopping by!