Delicious Slow Cooker Chicken and White Bean Chili: 15 Min

Oh, I just love my slow cooker! Seriously, is there anything better than throwing a bunch of stuff in a pot, turning it on, and walking away? Especially when you come home to the aroma of something amazing, like this Slow Cooker Chicken and White Bean Chili. It’s like a warm hug on a chilly day, ya know?

Speaking of chilly days… I remember one particularly blustery Sunday. The wind was howling, the rain was coming down sideways, and I just *knew* I needed something comforting. I rummaged through my pantry, spotted some chicken, beans, and a can of diced tomatoes, and BAM! Inspiration struck. I threw everything into the slow cooker, and a few hours later, this magical chili was born. And let me tell you, it totally hit the spot!

This Slow Cooker Chicken and White Bean Chili recipe is seriously the easiest thing ever. Plus, it’s packed with flavor and good-for-you stuff. Trust me, you’ll be making this one all winter long!

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken and White Bean Chili

Seriously, this chili is a game-changer! Here’s why you’re gonna be obsessed:

Quick and Easy

Minimal prep time? I’m talking like, fifteen minutes tops! Just chop a few veggies, dump everything in the slow cooker, and forget about it. Easy peasy!

Flavorful and Hearty

Oh my goodness, the flavor! The chicken, beans, and spices all meld together into this crazy delicious, hearty chili. My favorite part is that it just gets better the longer it cooks!

Healthy and Wholesome

Okay, so comfort food can be healthy too! This chili is packed with lean protein and fiber, so you can feel good about what you’re eating. Winning!

Perfect for Meal Prep

Make a big batch on Sunday, and you’ve got lunch for the whole week! It stores like a dream, and honestly, it tastes even better the next day. Meal prep WIN!

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken and White Bean Chili

Alright, gather ’round! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this amazing slow cooker chicken and white bean chili. Don’t worry, it’s all pretty basic stuff, and you probably have half of it in your pantry already! Just make sure you get the good stuff, ya know?

Chicken

You’ll need about 1.5 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I usually just grab a pack from the store, but feel free to use thighs if that’s what you like!

Aromatics

Gotta have your aromatics! One large onion, chopped, and two cloves of garlic, minced. Trust me, don’t skip the garlic – it makes a HUGE difference.

Vegetables

One green bell pepper, chopped. You can use a red or yellow one too, if you’re feeling fancy! It’s all good!

Beans

Okay, this is important: one 15-ounce can of white beans, rinsed and drained, AND one 15-ounce can of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained. Rinsing is key, otherwise, you’ll get a kinda weird starchy thing going on, and nobody wants that.

Tomatoes and Chilies

One 10-ounce can of diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained. I usually grab the Rotel brand because it’s already got a little kick, but use whatever you like!

Broth and Seasoning

Last but not least: one cup of chicken broth, one packet of chili seasoning (I usually use the mild stuff, but hey, you do you!), one teaspoon of cumin, and salt and pepper to taste. And that’s it! Let’s get cooking!

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken and White Bean Chili

Okay, are you ready for this? Because it’s SO easy, it’s almost ridiculous. Seriously, you can’t mess this up! Just follow these steps, and you’ll be chowing down on some seriously delicious chili in no time.

Preparing the Slow Cooker

First things first: grab your slow cooker (I use a 6-quart one, but anything close will work) and toss in those chicken breasts, chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped bell pepper. Just dump ’em right in! No need to be fancy here.

Adding the Remaining Ingredients

Now for the fun part! Add the rinsed white beans, rinsed cannellini beans, undrained diced tomatoes and green chilies, chicken broth, chili seasoning, and cumin to the slow cooker. Then, sprinkle in some salt and pepper to taste. Don’t be shy with the seasoning – it’s what makes the chili sing!

Cooking the Chili

Alright, here’s where the magic happens. Cover that slow cooker and set it to low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. I usually go with low because I like the way the flavors meld together over a longer period, but if you’re in a hurry, high works just fine. Just make sure the chicken is cooked through!

Shredding the Chicken

Once the chicken is cooked, take it out of the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Careful, it’s hot! If it’s not shredding easily, it might need a bit more time in the cooker. Don’t worry if it falls apart, that’s what we want!

Combining and Serving

Now, stir that shredded chicken back into the chili in the slow cooker. Give it a good mix to get everything all cozy together. Then, serve it up hot with your favorite toppings! I’m talking sour cream, cheese, avocado, cilantro… the works! Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Chicken and White Bean Chili

Want to take your chili from “good” to “OMG, this is amazing!”? Here are a few of my tried-and-true tips. Trust me, they make all the difference!

Don’t Overcook the Chicken

Okay, this is a big one. Nobody wants dry, stringy chicken! Keep an eye on it, and if it starts to look like it’s drying out, pull it out a little early. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

Customize Your Spice Level

Not a fan of super spicy food? No problem! Use a mild chili seasoning, or even just a little bit of cumin. Want to kick it up a notch? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some diced jalapeños. It’s your chili, so make it how you like it!

Add Toppings for Extra Flavor

Seriously, don’t skimp on the toppings! A dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, some diced avocado… they all add so much flavor and texture. My personal favorite is a little bit of everything! Yum!

Variations on Slow Cooker Chicken and White Bean Chili

Okay, so you’ve made the basic chili… now what? Time to get creative! Here are a few fun ways to mix things up. Because, let’s be real, sometimes you just need a little somethin’ somethin’ different, ya know?

Vegetarian Option

Wanna skip the chicken? No problem! Just swap out the chicken broth for vegetable broth and load up on extra beans or veggies. Maybe throw in some sweet potatoes for a little sweetness? Yum!

Spicy Chili

Feeling feisty? Add some diced jalapeños or a dash of your favorite hot sauce! Or, if you’re *really* brave, throw in a habanero pepper (but be careful, those things are HOT!).

Adding Vegetables

Corn, zucchini, bell peppers (besides green!), spinach… the possibilities are endless! Just toss ’em in with the rest of the ingredients and let the slow cooker work its magic. My kids love it when I add corn – it adds a little pop of sweetness!

Serving Suggestions for Your Slow Cooker Chicken and White Bean Chili

Alright, so you’ve got this amazing chili… what do you serve with it? Here are a couple of my go-to’s. Because, honestly, chili is good, but chili with the right sides? *Chef’s kiss*!

Side Dishes

Cornbread is a MUST! Seriously, that sweet, crumbly goodness is the perfect complement to the savory chili. Or, if you’re feeling lazy (like me, most of the time!), just grab some tortilla chips or whip up a quick side salad. Boom! Done!

Toppings

Okay, this is where you can really go wild! Sour cream, shredded cheese, diced avocado, chopped cilantro… the more the merrier! I like to set out a whole bunch of different toppings and let everyone customize their own bowl. It’s like a chili bar! So fun!

Storing and Reheating Your Slow Cooker Chicken and White Bean Chili

Okay, so you made a big batch (good for you!), and now you’ve got leftovers. Don’t worry, this chili is even better the next day! Here’s how to keep it tasting amazing:

Storing Leftovers

Just pop that chili into an airtight container and stick it in the fridge. It’ll keep for up to 3 days, easy peasy!

Reheating Instructions

When you’re ready to dig in again, you can reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. Just heat it until it’s nice and hot all the way through. And that’s it! Lunch (or dinner!) is served!

Slow Cooker Chicken and White Bean Chili FAQs

Got questions about this amazing chili? I’ve got answers! Here are a few of the most common things folks ask me. And hey, if you’ve got more questions, just leave a comment below! I love hearing from you guys!

Can I use dried beans?

Absolutely! But you’ll need to do a little extra prep. First, rinse those dried beans really well. Then, you’ve got two options: either soak them overnight in a big pot of water, or do a quick soak by boiling them for a couple of minutes and then letting them sit for an hour. Either way, drain and rinse them again before adding them to the slow cooker. Oh, and you’ll probably need to add a little extra chicken broth, since the dried beans will soak up some of the liquid.

Can I freeze this chili?

You betcha! Slow Cooker Chicken and White Bean Chili freezes like a dream. Just let it cool down completely, then pop it into freezer-safe containers or bags. It’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, just thaw it out in the fridge overnight and reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. Easy peasy!

What other toppings can I use?

Oh, the possibilities are endless! Besides the usual suspects (sour cream, cheese, avocado), you could try some chopped red onion, pickled jalapeños, a dollop of Greek yogurt, crumbled tortilla chips, or even a drizzle of hot sauce. Get creative and have fun with it! My kids love a sprinkle of Fritos on top!

Can I make this in an Instant Pot?

Yep! Just toss everything into your Instant Pot, set it to manual high pressure for about 20 minutes, and then let it naturally release for about 10 minutes. Shred the chicken, stir it back in, and you’re good to go! It’s a super quick way to get your chili fix, ya know?

Nutritional Information for Slow Cooker Chicken and White Bean Chili

Okay, so everyone always asks about the nutrition info. But honestly, it’s kinda tricky to give you exact numbers, ya know? It really depends on the specific brands and ingredients you use. Like, one brand of chili seasoning might have more sodium than another. So, just keep in mind that any nutrition info is just an estimate!

I’m not a nutritionist or anything, but I always try to use good quality ingredients. And hey, this chili is packed with protein and fiber, so you can feel good about eating it! Just sayin’!

Enjoy Your Homemade Slow Cooker Chicken and White Bean Chili

Alright, that’s it! Now go make some chili! And hey, if you loved it, leave a comment and rating below! Oh, and don’t forget to share your pics on social media!

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