Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 4–6 hours | Total Time: 4–6 hours 15 minutes | Servings: 6

Why I Love This Recipe

This chili is cozy, flavorful, and comes together with minimal effort. It’s naturally gluten- and dairy-free, making it perfect for a crowd. The slow cooker does the work, while the smoky chipotle, warm spices, and bright lime bring everything together for a satisfying fall dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• ⅛ tsp chipotle chili pepper (instead of cayenne; adds smoky heat)

• 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies

• 1 ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 2 (15 oz) cans white beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 cup frozen corn

• 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

• 1 (13.5 oz) can full-fat coconut milk

• Juice of 1 lime

For Toppings:

• Cilantro

• Avocado slices

• Shredded Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese

• Sour cream or Greek yogurt

• Tortilla chips or strips

• Extra lime wedges

Instructions

1. Sauté aromatics and spices

   1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, chipotle chili pepper, and salt. Cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

2. Load the slow cooker

   1. Transfer onion mixture to the slow cooker. Add green chilies, black pepper, beans, corn, chicken breasts, and chicken broth. Stir gently to combine.

3. Cook

   1. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until chicken is tender and cooked through.

4. Shred the chicken

   1. Remove chicken, shred with two forks, and return to the slow cooker.

5. Add coconut milk and lime

   1. Stir in coconut milk and lime juice. Cook uncovered for 15–20 minutes to warm through and slightly thicken. Taste and adjust seasoning—add more chipotle if you want extra heat.

6. Serve

   1. Ladle into bowls and top with avocado, cilantro, tortilla strips, or any toppings you like.

Notes

• Make Ahead: Cook fully a day in advance and reheat on low.

• Freezer Friendly: Store in freezer-safe containers up to 3 months.

• Scaling: Double for a big group and use two slow cookers to avoid overcrowding.

• Smoked Paprika: Adds subtle depth without heat—don’t skip it.

• Dietary Notes: Gluten-free and dairy-free as written; just keep toppings optional.