Craving a hearty, flavorful chili without spending hours in the kitchen? This slow cooker white chicken chili recipe takes inspiration from the Pioneer Woman’s comforting style, but simplifies the process for busy home cooks. We’re using a one-pot method with bone-in chicken and dry beans to maximize flavor and minimize effort, perfect for a weeknight meal or a cozy weekend gathering.
This recipe is all about ease and deliciousness. Forget pre-cooking chicken or multiple steps. Here, everything cooks together in your slow cooker, infusing the chili with deep, rich flavors. The secret? Starting with dry beans and bone-in chicken breasts. Cooking the chicken directly in the chili broth not only simplifies the recipe to a single step but also yields incredibly moist chicken and a more flavorful base. This method unlocks a new level of convenience for slow cooker soups and stews, making it easier than ever to enjoy homemade comfort food.
For anyone seeking fuss-free recipes that don’t compromise on taste, this slow cooker white chicken chili is a game-changer. The minimal prep work – just a quick bean soak – makes it incredibly convenient. Imagine coming home to the enticing aroma of a warm, satisfying chili, ready to be served.
Here’s a peek at some of the key ingredients that make this white chicken chili so special:
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Ingredients for slow cooker white chicken chili recipe with dry beans and bone-in chicken.
This recipe draws inspiration from two fantastic sources. We admire the stovetop white chicken chili recipe from Mom Advice, which uses canned beans and rotisserie chicken for speed. We also appreciate Pioneer Woman’s white chili recipe for its rich flavors and the technique of thickening the chili at the end. However, our version streamlines the process even further by utilizing the slow cooker and cooking everything together from the start.
Easy Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe
Prep time: 15 minutes (includes bean soaking – mostly hands-off)
Cook time: 6-9 hours
Servings: 8-10 servings
Ingredients
- 2 – 2.5 lbs bone-in chicken pieces (chicken breasts or thighs work well)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 (4 oz) can chopped green chilies, undrained
- 1 lb great northern beans, dried and soaked overnight
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (or more to taste)
- 1/2 – 1 tsp chili powder (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 (32 oz) box chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons cornmeal
- 1 cup milk (or half-and-half for extra creaminess)
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, avocado
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a 6-quart or larger slow cooker, add the soaked great northern beans, bone-in chicken pieces, chopped onion, crushed garlic, canned green chilies, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, chili powder, chicken broth, and water. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 6-7 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and the beans tender.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken pieces from the slow cooker and place them on a cutting board. Shred the chicken using two forks, discarding the bones and skin.
- Return Chicken: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
- Thicken Chili: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornmeal and milk until smooth. Stir this mixture into the slow cooker. Cook on high for another 15-20 minutes, or until the chili has thickened slightly.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, pepper, chili powder, or cayenne pepper to your preference.
- Serve: Ladle the slow cooker white chicken chili into bowls and serve hot. Offer your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, or avocado.
This easy slow cooker white chicken chili recipe is part of our ongoing series celebrating simple and delicious slow cooker soup recipes. For more comforting and convenient meal ideas, be sure to check out our other slow cooker creations!
