This white chicken chili is hearty and flavorful! It takes little prep work and requires little effort. Toss ingredients into a slow cooker or an Instant Pot and wait for a bowl of delicious soup to cook itself!
This white chicken chili is made with chicken (of course), cannellini beans, and corn! It’s an easy and comforting chili.
If it’s cold outside, this is a must-make recipe. If it’s raining or snowing, even better! Grab yourself a bowl of this chicken chili, curl up on the couch with a fuzzy blanket, and watch a feel-good (read: terribly cheesy) movie.
I came up with this recipe when I was brainstorming what to make for my husband’s birthday party. It was our first party at the house with our little one (Tony turned 2 months the same day Roby turned 31!). I was a little nervous about hosting friends with a new baby, so I wanted to make sure we had food that our guests could help themselves to just in case I was busy with Tony.
I made two types of chili and served them in two Instant Pots – this chicken chili and his favorite beef chili. (I also made some garlic bread, cornbread, and other snacks).
You can see Roby eating a bowl of beef chili in the picture below, but he told me later that he actually liked the white chicken chili the best! I think he has a new favorite chili! Is it weird that I’m really excited about that? Don’t answer that question… 😂
The party went so smoothly! Not only did Tony love our friends (he slept on two of their shoulders!), everyone loved the chili! They all helped themselves to bowl after bowl, and I got to relax and sit on the couch.
I’m already so excited for you guys to make this chili – I know you’ll love it! When you do, let me know if it’s your new favorite chili too!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 onions diced
- 4 stalks celery diced
- 1-2 jalapeño pepper minced – adjust according to taste
- 10 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon salt adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon freshly crushed black pepper adjust to taste
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 1 pound bag of corn frozen corn, rinsed (optional if paleo)
- 1 15 ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed (optional if paleo)
- Serve with cilantro hot sauce, cheese if desired
Instructions
Instant Pot Directions:
- Add all of the ingredients except for the cannellini beans and corn to the Instant Pot.
- Secure the lid, close the pressure valve, and cook for 15 minutes at high pressure.
- Open the valve to quick release any pressure (this will allow the steam to escape and you’ll be able to open the lid sooner than waiting for natural release).
- Shred the chicken in the pot then add the cannellini beans and corn to the pot. Press the sauté button and cook for 5 minutes or until the beans and corn are heated through.
Slow Cooker Directions:
- Add all of the ingredients except for the cannellini beans and corn in a slow cooker.
- Cook for 4 hours on high or 6 on low.
- Remove the lid 30 minutes before cooking, shred the chicken, then stir in the cannellini beans and corn.
E says
Made this several times using pheasant, excellent. A favorite.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
So glad to hear that it’s a favorite! 🙂
C says
Can I use great white northern beans? But they are hard (just opened a bag). How would I need to modify this recipe?
Sue Oberg says
Did this in the instant pot yesterday and it was fantastic!
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Sue, that’s great to hear 🙂 Thanks for letting me know how it turned out for you!
Arya says
good!
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Glad to hear that!
Sara says
This was DELICIOUS! We cut back the amount of salt- and used a combo of thighs and breasts, just because it’s all we had. Three kids each ate 2 full bowls and made me write the recipe down so I never forget it. Such a winner. Thanks for sharing!
My Heart Beets says
Sara, that’s awesome! Great to hear how much the kids enjoyed it!
Sharon Steinhauer says
The white chicken chili is a favorite in my household. I just leave out the jalapenos. I have left overs for tonight. Wondering what a a good complement would be. Perhaps Cheese sandwiches?.
My Heart Beets says
Sharon, that’s so great to hear! I think cornbread always makes a great side to chili! Maybe a cheesy cornbread?
Jordan says
Love love love this recipe! I’ve made it almost weekly and it’s so good! I make it in my dutch oven so I can sauté the veggies before I add everything else. It’s so delicious and healthy, I like to add zucchini because the slow cooking really breaks them down, thickens the soup, and adds nutrition without changing the flavor
My Heart Beets says
Jordan, I’m so happy to hear that you like this chicken chili so much 🙂 Thanks for letting me know how it turned out for you 🙂
Jane says
Absolutely delicious. Made it twice in 2 weeks. My neighbor who is funny about spices, also enjoyed It. Thanks
My Heart Beets says
Jane, I’m so happy to hear that!! Thanks for letting me know how the white chicken chili turned out for you and your neighbor 🙂 Sounds like they are lucky to live next to you!
Karen says
Tried this tonight. It was a huge hit with my family! Great recipe and we will make it again very soon!
My Heart Beets says
Karen, I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for letting me know how it turned out for you 🙂
Sukhmani Bhogal says
Hello Ashley!!
I just tried making the white chicken chili for the first time today and it came out amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe and for inspiring me to try to cook. You’re truly an inspiration and have given me the confidence to try both western in Indian cooking through your help. Thank you once again and I look forward to trying more recipes♥️
My Heart Beets says
Sukhmani, I’m so happy to hear that!! I appreciate your comment so much, so nice of you to say 🙂
Mary says
Can I double this recipe and still have it fit in a 6 qt instant pot?
My Heart Beets says
Hi Mary, yes that should be fine – it should still be under the max line but if for some reason it isn’t then be sure to reduce a bit of the liquid.
Siri says
Hi Ashley,
Thanks for this recipe I have to try this in instant pot. A naive question, what is the easiest way to shred chicken?
My Heart Beets says
Hi Siri! I just use two forks 🙂 Hope you love the recipe!
Patrick Barrett says
Can I use dry pinto beans? would throw them in with everything else. Maybe add a little time like I think it was 25 total on another chicken rice and beans. maybe my favorite! BACON!!!
My Heart Beets says
Hi Patrick, yes, if you use dry beans just add them at the start and pressure cook them 🙂 Let me know what you think!
Deb S says
This got a thumbs up from my whole family – picky kids included!
I used a can of green chiles instead of the jalapeño, omitted the chili powder (because I ran out), and used 2 heaping tsp of garlic salt instead of regular salt. I also threw in an extra can of beans for extra protein. I will definitely make this again! Thank you!
My Heart Beets says
Deb, I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for sharing your substitutions with us!
Stephanie says
Hi! Am I missing it or is there a “pin this” button? I searched your pinterest page and couldn’t find the recipe, but want to save it so I can try it before actually adding it to my “official” book of recipes! (Not that I think it won’t be good, because I do… just gotta try it first and make sure it passes the family test.)
My Heart Beets says
Hi Stephanie! I just checked and a pin it button shows up at the top left for me – not sure why it didn’t work before! Here’s a link: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/383017143302703798/ Let me know if you make this 🙂
Liza says
Tried this and loved it! I made it in an instant pot. Worked with frozen chicken just as well. I added salsa verde to it for kicks (I saw some other recipes do it). I also added some parsley, lemon zest and lemon juice. Definitely think the little bit of lemon compliments it nicely, but it’s not necessary! I personally am very fond of citrus. This recipe however worked so well that I’m making second batch for some friends of mine. Thanks 🙂
My Heart Beets says
Liza, I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for letting us know that it worked with frozen chicken too! I’ll have to add some lemon the next time I make this – thanks for the suggestion 🙂
Brett says
This was fantastic! Followed the recipe in the instant pot exactly, and it came out perfect. Just enough spice to make my lips tingle. Bravo!
My Heart Beets says
Brett, I’m so happy to hear that! Glad you liked it 🙂
Jeremy says
10 cloves of garlic? Is that right? Just wanted to double check because that seems kinda high.
My Heart Beets says
I use 10 cloves (5 cloves per pound of chicken) but you can definitely adjust to taste! I just happen to really like garlic haha. Anyway, let me know what you think of this when you make it!
Leslie says
This was a very god recipe for my Instant Pot. I actually saw this in a movie, so I added a jolt of balsamic vinegar. It was great and I recommend it.
Stephanie says
If I double the recipe do I need to increase the cooking time?
Lindsey says
I’m looking forward to making this, but want to make and freeze individual portions for meal prepping. Do you know if this recipe will freeze well once it’s cooked?
Thanks!
Ananth (Roby's friend) says
This recipe was a success. Easy to make on the fly after work today. Chicken was extremely tender and shredded with little effort. Very flavorful with a nice kick from the jalapenos with each bite. Made some cornbread for a side and a peach cobbler for dessert for a fantastic summer meal with the lady. Great job! #MHB
My Heart Beets says
Ananth, I’m so happy to hear that!! Thank you so much for letting me know how it turned out for you!! 🙂
Carper Dulmage says
Really nice recipe! I’ve made it three times!
My Heart Beets says
So happy to hear that! 🙂
Mike Frohling says
I made this tonight in my Instant Pot. Oh, so delicious!
My Heart Beets says
Mike, I’m glad you liked it! 🙂
Fatima says
I plan to make half of this recipe. Can I use 2 cups of water instead of broth? I do not have any on hand but I am thinking that the spices may flavor the water (along with the chicken cooking in it)?
Katie says
Did you use frozen or thawed chicken in the instant pot?
My Heart Beets says
You can use either – the frozen should cook too but just make sure when you open the pot.
heather says
Hi, Tried this recipe last night, the flavours are wonderful! The kitchen smelled so good! Just wondering, what is the consistency of the final product? Mine was very thin, it was more like a soup. Just wondering if I did something wrong. If I lowered the amount of stock, would that help thicken it?
My Heart Beets says
You can either use less broth or you can hit saute and reduce the liquid down to your liking!
Jack says
Hi Ashley! My wife and I got an Instant Pot Lux60 for Christmas, and searching for first recipes, I found this one – it looks delicious! I’m going to be making it tomorrow, but our pot does’t have a “Poultry” button. Can I assume that since you say it automatically sets the time, that I can just use “Manual” and set the time for 15 minutes? The Lux only does high pressure, so I want to make sure I make this correctly. Thanks!
My Heart Beets says
Hi Jack! Yes, you can use the manual button and set it for 15 minutes – let me know what you think of the chili! 🙂
Lan says
Hi Ashley! Can’t wait to make this chili- can you tell me for the instant pot recipe does the chicken breast go in whole, thawed? What if the breast is frozen? Thanks!!
My Heart Beets says
Hi Lan! I’ve tried this chili with both thawed chicken and partially frozen chicken and both have worked perfectly!
Preeti Mehta says
Hi Ashley, can this white chicken chili be made with thighs?
My Heart Beets says
Preeti, yes you can use chicken thighs! Let me know what you think of the recipe 🙂
Sarah says
Hi Ashley,
I popped on here to let you know how much I loved the pumpkin hummus (finally tried it and the sweetness from the pumpkin takes it above and beyond typical hummus…yay!), but I saw this photo of your little guy and I just have to remark on how adorable he is!! That expression is so endearing, he looks like a tiny, easy-going gentleman-in-training 🙂 Congrats on your first successful Tony+ party; I look forward to trying this chili soon!
My Heart Beets says
Hi Sarah! I’m so glad you liked the pumpkin hummus recipe!! And thank you so much for the sweet compliment about my lil guy 🙂 I love that phrase “gentleman-in-training” lol! Can’t wait to hear what you think of the chili!