Creamy White Chicken Chili with Cream Cheese
This creamy white chicken chili with cream cheese recipe is easy to make, full of flavor, and a family favorite during chili season. With shredded chicken, white beans, sweet corn, and a creamy broth made rich with cream cheese, it’s the kind of simple recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat for busy weeknights or game day gatherings.
Adding cream cheese creates a creamy texture and turns an ordinary white bean chicken chili recipe into something extra special. As the cream cheese melts into the broth, it adds richness and balances the spices with a smooth, velvety base. This little step transforms your chili into one of the best white chicken chili recipes you’ll ever make. It’s a go-to recipe that’s hearty, satisfying, and full of flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
- Made with pantry staples like beans, broth, corn, and spices that are easy to keep on hand.
- Simple to customize with chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken.
- Perfect for a busy weeknight because the crock pot does the hard work—just set it on low heat and dinner is ready in 6-8 hours.
- Creamy texture comes from softened cream cheese, giving the chili a rich and velvety broth.
- Hearty and filling, thanks to tender chicken and white beans, making it a complete meal in one bowl.
- Loved by the whole family with mild flavors that kids enjoy, but easy to spice up with jalapeno peppers or extra chili powder.
- Great for gatherings and game day since it makes a generous batch and pairs well with toppings like tortilla strips, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Kitchen Essentials (affiliate links): Slow Cooker | Handmade Pottery Dishes (use code rockyhedgefarm10)
Ingredients for White Chicken Chili with Cream Cheese and Corn
For this creamy white chicken chili, you’ll need a few simple ingredients you probably already have on hand:
- Chicken – Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, shredded rotisserie chicken, or leftover chicken for a quick and easy option.
- White Beans – Great Northern beans, Cannellini beans, or Pinto beans all work and add hearty texture.
- Corn – Canned or frozen corn adds a touch of sweetness and a hint of crunch to every bite.
- Green Chiles – Canned green chilies are perfect, or add diced jalapeno peppers for a bit more heat.
- Chicken Broth – You can also use vegetable broth for a lighter version.
- Cream Cheese – Softened to room temperature so it melts smoothly into the chili, giving it a rich and creamy texture.
- Herbs and Spices – Ground cumin, oregano, chili powder, paprika, minced onion, minced garlic, black pepper, and salt combine to create a flavorful, warming base.
- Optional Toppings – Finish your chili with sour cream, shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese, lime wedges, crispy tortilla chips or strips, and fresh cilantro for extra color and flavor.
How to Make Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili with Cream Cheese
This slow cooker recipe makes creamy white chicken chili simple to prepare and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
- Put the chicken breasts into the bottom of your crock pot.
- Add the white beans, corn, green chilies, chicken broth, and all the spices on top of the chicken.
- Place the lid on the crock pot. Cook on low heat for 6–8 hours, or on medium heat for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Take the chicken out of the crock pot and use two forks to shred it into small pieces. Put the shredded chicken back into the chili.
- Add the softened cream cheese and stir until it has melted and blended into the broth, making it creamy.
- Spoon the chili into bowls and add your favorite toppings before serving.
Toppings and Serving Ideas
A flavorful, easy white chicken chili is even better with toppings. Try tortilla strips, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, or extra jalapeno peppers for a bit of heat. Cornbread or warm biscuits are also delicious served alongside a bowl of chili.
Recipe Tips
- Always use softened cream cheese at room temperature for the best creamy texture.
- If using shredded rotisserie or leftover chicken, add it during the last 20–30 minutes of cooking instead of at the beginning. This prevents the chicken from overcooking and keeps it tender and juicy.
- Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Leftover chili often tastes even better the next day.
- For a thicker consistency, blend a portion of the beans with an immersion blender before adding the shredded chicken back to the pot.
Creamy White Chicken Chili with Cream Cheese
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, shredded rotisserie chicken, or leftover chicken
- 1 tablespoon minced dried onion
- 1 tablespoon minced dried garlic
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 (15 ounce) cans white beans, such as great northern beans or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
- 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
- 2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese softened room temperature
Instructions
- Put the chicken breasts into the bottom of your crock pot.
- Add the white beans, corn, green chilies, chicken broth, and all the spices on top of the chicken.
- Place the lid on the crock pot. Cook on low heat for 6–8 hours, or on medium heat for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Take the chicken out of the crock pot and use two forks to shred it into small pieces. Put the shredded chicken back into the chili.
- Add the softened cream cheese and stir until it has melted and blended into the broth, making it creamy.
- Spoon the chili into bowls and add your favorite toppings before serving.
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About Sarah
Wife. Mother. From-Scratch Cook. Homemaker.
I’m Sarah, the creator of Rocky Hedge Farm, where I share my love for simple living, homemade meals, and creating a cozy home. As a wife and mother, I’m passionate about slowing down, cooking from scratch, and finding joy in the everyday moments of life. From DIY projects and family-friendly recipes, I hope to inspire others to embrace a life rooted in simplicity and warmth.
Hi! If I use rotisserie chicken do I still just add it like raw chicken, turn on the slow cooker and let it cook with the rest of the ingredients? Thank you!
If using shredded rotisserie or leftover chicken, add it during the last 20–30 minutes of cooking instead of at the beginning.
Delicious & easy recipe. I improvise when I don’t have an ingredient. I’ve substitute ground turkey for chicken and fermented jalapenos for green chilies. Also, instead of a slow cooker, I do it stovetop in a pot. Still just as delicious. Thanks for a recipe that is on rotation.