This budget-friendly, easy crock pot Southwest chicken chili comes together with pantry staples and zero prep. It’s a hearty meal that’s perfect for weeknights.
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Crock Pot Green Chili Chicken
This white chicken chili is the definition of comfort food. Each bite is a spoonful of comforting flavor. Plus, it’s easy on the wallet since it’s made with pantry staples. It’s made with simple ingredients, including canned chicken, pinto beans, diced green chiles, and pantry staples like onion powder, cumin, and oregano. Top it off with a sprinkle of Monterey Jack Cheese, tortilla chips, and a squeeze of lime juice for a zesty flavor twist. This white chicken chili recipe isn’t just delicious; it’s the type of recipe you’ll make on repeat.
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
Here is everything you need to make this chili. Additionally, you’ll find some simple substitution recommendations.
- 3 cups chicken broth ($1.23) – This is the savory base of the chili. You can use a vegetable broth if you do not have chicken broth on hand.
- 2 (15-ounce) cans pinto beans ($1.88) – Adds a hearty protein to the chili. Substitute the pinto beans for another bean variety of your liking, such as cannellini beans or great northern beans.
- 2 (12.5-ounce) cans of chicken ($4.78) – Using canned chicken is an easy time-saving hack for this dump-and-go recipe. Consider using a rotisserie chicken or shredded chicken as an alternative option.
- 15-ounce can of corn ($0.84) – Adds a nice sweetness to the dish. You can use frozen corn as a substitute for canned.
- 2 (4-ounce) cans diced green chiles ($1.94) – The green chiles add a mild heat to the dish, adding to the overall flavor. Add some sliced jalapenos to add additional heat to the chili.
- 2 teaspoons onion powder ($0.08) – Adds a savory flavor with no chopping; however, you can use freshly chopped onion instead.
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano ($0.07) – Use Italian seasoning or Thyme if you do not have Oregano.
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin ($0.10) – Adds an earthy flavor to the dish. Use taco seasoning or chili powder as a substitution.
- Salt and pepper to taste ($0.02) – Both enhance and balance the overall flavor of the chili. I do not recommend skipping the salt and pepper.
- ¾ cup sour cream ($0.74) – Sour cream gives a creamy richness to the chili; alternatively, you can use Greek yogurt instead.
How To Make Southwest Chicken Chili in the Crock Pot
This dump-and-go recipe is super easy to make. As a matter of fact, you just add everything, except the sour cream to the crockpot, cook, then stir in the sour cream and serve. Let me show you how.
- First, add all the ingredients except the sour cream and toppings to a slow cooker.
- Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours.
- Stir in the sour cream until it is well combined.
- Serve in bowls with additional toppings if desired.
Chicken Green Chili Crockpot Recipe Tips
Don’t skip rinsing the beans. This will remove excess salt and starch, preventing the chili from tasting too salty and becoming too thick.
Cook the chili on low. Cooking on low and slow allows the ingredients to blend and the chicken to become extra tender.
Stir in the sour cream slowly. This helps keep the sour cream from curdling and ensures it is mixed in evenly.
Southwest Chicken Chili (Crock Pot Recipe)
Recipe Cost 11.68 Serving Cost 1.46Equipment
- Measuring spoons
- measuring cups
- slow cooker
- Ladle
Ingredients
WHITE CHICKEN CHILI:
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 15-ounce cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 12.5-ounce cans chicken, drained
- 2 4 oz cans diced green chiles
- 15 ounce can corn drained (can also 1 cup fresh or frozen corn)
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¾ cup sour cream
TOPPINGS (all optional):
- sliced jalapeños
- diced avocados
- shredded cheese
- sour cream
- tortilla strips
- chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients, except for the sour cream and toppings, in a slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- Stir in the sour cream until combined.
- Ladle into soup bowls and add toppings (if using).
Notes
Nutrition
Southwest Chicken Chili Recipe FAQs
My top recommendations include: sliced jalapenos, diced avocados, tortilla strips, shredded cheese, sour cream, and cilantro.
Yes, drain the canned chicken to help prevent the chili from becoming too watery or overly salty.
To make this chili dairy-free, swap the sour cream for a plant-based sour cream or even plain dairy-free yogurt.
Dee Dee Porter says
Do you think I could substitute cream cheese for the sour cream? My husband doesn’t usually like sour cream…
Jess Jankowski says
Yes you can use cream cheese we would just recommend that it is room temperature and wait to add it in until the last hour of cooking. Thanks!
Margherita Currao says
My 8 year old grandson made the white chicken chili and corn muffins for a family dinner with some guidance.
It was enjoyed by young and old!
He was very proud of himself
Jess Jankowski says
This is AMAZING! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. We LOVE it.
Margherita Currao says
Is it really 2 30 oz cans of beans?
Seems like a lot?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Margherita thanks for catching that typo. It is 2 15-oz cans not 30 oz. That would be a lot of beans!
Christy Peeples DuBois says
I had no idea white chili could be so easy to make. I’ve eaten my sisters white chili several times over the years but thought it probably took a long time to make. So glad to learn otherwise.
Jess Jankowski says
Oh Christy yes it is so easy to make!
Wanda Tracey says
I love chili and would love to try this new version with chicken. It sounds delicious and comforting.
Jess Jankowski says
I made it last night and my whole family LOVED it.
Barrie says
Everything made in the crockpot is the best, IMHO! Throw it in and forget about it. My family would love this and we’d have leftovers!
Jess Jankowski says
I agree Crockpot meals are THE best!
Hannah Chase says
This looks amazing!
Jess Jankowski says
It is super yummy!
Ashley Mains says
This looks delicious! I love finding new crockpot recipes!
Jess Jankowski says
It is so easy to throw it in there and walk away!
Jeff says
I love white chili.
I should make this so my wife doesn’t have to make dinner tonight
Jess Jankowski says
I am pretty confident she would love that!
Sandra Shaffer says
Using the slow cooker for this chili is perfect for letting those spices meld together. So simple and delicious. Thank you!
Jessica says
This was our first time making white chili and it was SO good! I can’t beleive it took us this long.
Barbara Atkinson says
Looks easy and delicious.
Lori R says
Thanks for the recipe. This looks yummy!
Jess Jankowski says
You are so welcome! Enjoy!