Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili: A Hearty, Flavorful One-Pot Family Meal
Are you searching for an incredibly easy, yet profoundly delicious dinner solution that the whole family will adore? Look no further than this fantastic Slow Cooker Chicken Chili. Crafted with readily available pantry staples like corn, succulent chicken, robust beans, and vibrant tomatoes, this Tex-Mex inspired dish is designed for ultimate convenience without compromising on flavor. It’s perfect for cozy weeknight family meals or for effortlessly entertaining a casual gathering of friends. Simply serve it with crispy tortilla chips and your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, and watch it become an instant hit!
In the quest for simple yet satisfying meals, this chicken chili recipe stands out as a true family favorite. It’s a “tried-and-true” staple in our household, consistently delivering a comforting and deeply flavorful experience with minimal effort. What makes it so beloved? It’s made with wholesome, real food ingredients that you likely already have stocked in your freezer and pantry. With approximately 10 minutes of hands-on prep time – then letting your slow cooker handle the rest – you’re free to tackle other tasks while a delicious dinner simmers to perfection. This truly is a delightful one-pot dinner that we often pair with just a handful of simple tortilla chips and some fresh carrot sticks for a complete meal.
Is This a White Chicken Chili? Understanding the Richness of This Recipe
You might be wondering if this is a white chicken chili, given its use of chicken and white beans. The answer is “sort of.” While it prominently features tender white chicken meat and creamy white beans, it also incorporates diced tomatoes and traditional chili powder seasoning. These ingredients lend a rich, reddish hue to the chili, distinguishing it from the often creamy, broth-based white chicken chilis you might be familiar with. So, while it embraces white meat and white beans, it doesn’t aim for that creamy, lighter color profile.
Personally, I find the depth of flavor from tomatoes and classic chili powder irreplaceable. The vibrant acidity of the tomatoes perfectly balances the savory chicken and earthy beans, creating a robust chili experience. Some creamy “white chicken chili” variations can sometimes lean more towards a chowder, in my opinion, which is lovely in its own right, but not what we’re aiming for with this hearty, traditional chili profile.
Beyond its incredible ease, this slow cooker chicken chili is wonderfully filling and bursting with flavor. The best part? You have complete control over the spice level. Whether you prefer a mild warmth or a fiery kick, simply adjust the amount of cayenne pepper and jalapeño to suit your taste preferences. As the primary cook in my family, I genuinely appreciate this recipe not only for its simplicity but also for the opportunity it provides to utilize ingredients I’ve personally grown and prepared. There’s a special satisfaction in saying, “I grew the peppers and froze the corn myself!” or mentioning the homemade beans I’ve cooked and frozen from scratch. These small joys truly enhance the dining experience at our table.
The Magic of “Dump and Go” Cooking: Your Effortless Chicken Chili Journey
One of the most appealing aspects of this easy slow cooker chicken chili recipe is its “dump” method. This means minimal fuss and maximum flavor! Forget sautéing or multiple pots; simply gather your ingredients and add them directly into the crock of your slow cooker. The process couldn’t be simpler: begin by placing uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs at the bottom of the slow cooker. Then, layer in all the other vibrant ingredients, seal the lid, and let the appliance work its magic.
This method is particularly fantastic for busy weeknights or when you need a reliable meal that requires very little active cooking time. The long, slow simmer not only tenderizes the chicken to perfection but also allows all the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a rich and aromatic chili that tastes like you spent hours on it. It’s truly a game-changer for anyone looking for convenient and delicious home-cooked meals.
Essential Ingredients for a Perfect Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
This versatile chicken chili is an excellent way to use up ingredients you might already have on hand. For example, if you’re like me, you might have frozen, chopped peppers or frozen corn from your garden harvest. These work wonderfully here, but don’t fret if you don’t have a freezer stash – fresh chopped peppers or even canned options will work just as well. The same goes for tomatoes: regular canned diced tomatoes are perfectly fine, as are home-canned varieties. Sometimes, I even use Rotel-type canned tomatoes with chilies for an extra kick and depth of flavor if they’re available.
Aside from the chicken, peppers, corn, and tomatoes, here are the other straightforward ingredients you’ll need to create this incredibly flavorful dish:
- Onion: A large, chopped onion forms the aromatic base.
- Chicken Broth: Provides the necessary liquid and adds savory depth.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is key for that classic chili flavor.
- Chili Powder: The cornerstone spice, offering warmth and complexity.
- Cumin: Adds an earthy, robust, and distinctly Tex-Mex aroma.
- Cayenne Pepper: Adjust this to taste for your desired level of heat. A little goes a long way!
- White Beans: Canned white beans (like cannellini or great northern) are super convenient. If you prefer, cooked and frozen white beans work beautifully as well.
- Jack Cheese: Shredded Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese is an optional but highly recommended topping for serving.
- Cilantro or Parsley: Freshly chopped cilantro or parsley adds a bright, herbaceous finish, also optional for serving.
As you can see, the ingredient list is composed entirely of accessible, everyday pantry staples, making this recipe not only delicious but also incredibly practical for any home cook. This focus on simple, wholesome ingredients is another reason why this slow cooker chicken chili remains a consistent favorite.
The Perfect Finish: Shredding Chicken and Adding Beans
While the beauty of this chicken chili lies in its hands-off cooking, there’s one simple, yet crucial step towards the end that ensures perfect texture. About an hour before you plan to serve, you’ll need to remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker. Don’t worry, this is an incredibly quick and easy task, usually taking no more than 5 minutes. The chicken will be so tender from the long, slow cook that it will practically fall apart, allowing you to easily shred it with two forks right in a bowl or on a cutting board.
Once shredded, return the chicken to the slow cooker along with the cooked white beans. This strategic timing is key: if the beans were added at the very beginning of the long cooking cycle, they would likely become overcooked and mushy. Adding them towards the end, after the chicken has cooked and been shredded, allows them to simply warm through and absorb the delicious chili flavors without losing their ideal texture. Let the chili simmer for another 45 minutes to an hour on HIGH, giving the beans ample time to heat thoroughly and for all the flavors to fully meld. This final phase ensures every spoonful of your slow cooker chicken chili is just perfect.
Serving Your Delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
The moment you’ve been waiting for! Once your slow cooker chicken chili is perfectly heated and the flavors have deepened, it’s time to serve. We absolutely love this chili topped generously with shredded Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese, which melts into gooey perfection and adds another layer of creaminess and flavor. For scooping and dipping, crunchy tortilla chips are a must-have – you can even elevate your meal by making these quick and easy 10-minute homemade chips. Alternatively, warm, buttered tortillas make an excellent, soft accompaniment.
To round out the meal and add a touch of freshness, consider serving alongside a simple plate of fresh vegetables like crisp carrot sticks, colorful bell pepper strips, or steamed broccoli florets. Other fantastic topping ideas include a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, diced avocado, sliced green onions, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce for an extra kick. This chili is also surprisingly versatile; it works beautifully as a filling for baked potatoes or even served over rice for a heartier meal.
With minimal effort, you’ve created a dinner that’s not just delicious and satisfying, but also a source of comfort and joy. Ta-da! Dinner is done, everyone is happy, and you’ve just unlocked a new favorite family meal.
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Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- 1-2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2) or thighs (4-6)
- 1 large onion chopped
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup chopped anaheim or other mild pepper peppers, fresh or frozen
- 1 jalapeno chili seeded* and chopped, fresh or frozen
- 2 cans 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes (or equivalent frozen or home canned)
- 2 cups frozen corn partially thawed**
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2½ teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1/2 teaspoons cayenne or to taste
- 3½ cups cooked white beans frozen and thawed (or 3 cans)
- Shredded Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese for serving optional
- chopped cilantro or parsley for serving optional
Instructions
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Place chicken in the bottom of the bowl of a 5 to 6 quart slow cooker and top with remaining ingredients EXCEPT the beans and toppings.
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Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.
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Remove chicken breasts and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the chili, along with the cooked white beans.
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Cook on HIGH for another 45 minutes to an hour, until beans are heated through.
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Serve topped with shredded Monterey Jack cheese and optional cilantro or parsley. Add warmed tortillas or tortilla chips alongside.
Notes
**I just run it under hot water for a few minutes.
To make on a stovetop: Place the chili in an 6 qt. or larger soup pot on the stovetop, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low for about 45 min. to an hour. Remove the chicken pieces to shred, then add it back with the beans and heat for another 15 minutes to warm beans.
Nutrition
Other slow cooker recipes you may like:
Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup
Moist Slow Cooker Spiced Whole Chicken
Slow Cooker Italian Roast Beef
Note: This slow cooker chicken chili recipe was originally published in June of 2010 and has since been significantly updated with all new photos, improved formatting, and a convenient printable recipe card to enhance your cooking experience.